Denis Culinary Tours

Maggiano’s Little Italy® will open its first Kansas location today, paying homage to Overland Park’s rich Italian-American history. Maggiano’s prides itself on its made-from-scratch dishes, based on recipes that have been passed down through generations of Italian families and are now being shared outside of Nonna’s kitchen. At the helm of Maggiano’s newest location are Executive Chef Randal Wheeler and Managing Partner Sergio Tibavisky.  “We are excited to add to Overland Park’s already burgeoning Italian community with our own version of Italian-American comfort food – served with passionate hospitality in a space that we call home,” said Tibavisky. “As we open our doors to the community, our hope is that Maggiano’s becomes a place for Kansas Citians to celebrate special milestones or nights out with family and friends.” Guests are seen as an extension of the Maggiano’s family, treated to home-cooked Italian classics. Each dish is made with high-quality seasonal ingredi...

That title above is a tagline and it’s pretty darn perfect.  About a month ago, I went to a rosé tasting at Tannin’s Wine Bar and Kitchen on 15 th and Walnut and tasted about five, seven, ten, who knows? different varietals of my favorite summer drink.  Yes, of course, small sips only.  Then, this week, I went there for one of the Restaurant Guide’s Dine-Arounds which introduces hotel professionals to various restaurants in town.  Tannin’s has been around since 2011 and the wine choices, and their knowledge about those wines, has always been excellent.   What I was reminded of, both times, is how good their food can be, too.  Their appetizers are varied and fresh.  We had three different small plates that second night – a bruschetta with grilled bread, heirloom tomatoes on garlic basil spread, an ahi tuna dish with avocado and red cabbage spicy slaw, and a pork tenderloin on brown rice with buttered beans, tender-crisp carrot and cucumb...

The Restaurant Guide of Kansas City is a locally owned company that has been tantalizing Kansas City’s taste buds for the past 19 years. Not only do we offer up-to-date information on area restaurants in a print version, online and via social media, but we also offer Restaurant Guide Gift Certificates . These certificates can be used at over 50 restaurant locations including favorites such as Jack Stack Barbecue , Hereford House , Webster House , and Margarita’s as well as Waldo Pizza , BD’s Mongolian Grill , The Melting Pot and the newly opened A1 Sushi and Hibachi in Overland Park. Recipients love them because of the wide variety of cuisine and prices as well as the diverse areas of town from which to choose. These $25 certificates can be used as holiday gifts for employees or customers, for incentives, rewards, anniversaries, new employees or just to plain say “Thank You” to someone.  The certificates never expire and do not lose value over time.  O...

A Surprising Experience  The other day, right around my favorite time (yes, that would be happy hour time), I wandered into Fogo de Chao on the Plaza. I wasn’t looking for the full Brazilian churrasco experience but I did want a little something . . . and a drink. So it was a double-nice surprise when some complimentary appetizers came with my drink. Beers and bites are available for $4 and their Brazilian inspired cocktails are $8 – so of course, I was forced to order a caipirinha (cachaça, which is sorta like white rum, limes, cane sugar).  In talking with the bartender, I found out that during lunch, you can get their Market Table and Fiojoada Bar for just $15 – about the same price as any nice lunch on the Plaza. It’s $27 at dinner time and both include a huge selection of come-back-as-much-as-you-want “sides” – some of which seemed like main course alternatives to me. There are the soups, salads, charcuterie with all kinds of meats and cheeses, smoked salmon –...