Denis Culinary Tours

Last Friday I was invited to attend a boxing/mixed martial arts event at Harrah's casino in North Kansas City. Now when I think of casino food, the sneeze-guard hog trough buffets come to mind, yet I found this interesting little seafood place hiding around the corner from the front door. I sat down at the bar and asked about half-bottles of wine. They didn't have any. Nonplussed, I pressed onward, requesting a by-the-glass list. I then asked which of the wines had been opened that day, as more often than not, 'by the glass' means 'crappy oxidized vinegar'. None of the reds and only a couple of the whites fit the bill, so I picked a martini. Like James Bond, I like my martinis a very specific way, with the only variable being the brand of Gin. “Sapphire Martini very dry, shaken, up, with a twist.” I got a warm, stirred martini with too much vermouth and 2 olives. Ok, for those unused to my reviews, I have very high standards for my restaurant service. I like...

My boyfriend of three years had never made a dinner reservation in all the time I have known him until two weeks before Christmas. He said he wanted to go someplace nice for dinner. I showed him KC Restaurant Guide online and told him to let me know where he wanted to go. About 30 mins later he comes out of the bedroom and tells me we have 7:15 reservations for Friday night. I was a little shocked. We arrived about 2 hours early for dinner and had planned to walk around the plaza but it was so cold. The staff at Ruth's Chris was able to seat us immediately. We had the shrimp cocktail to start and they had to be the biggest we had ever seen. The salad and the drinks were also good...but not half as good as the steaks! The service could not have been better! Aside from the fabulous food, spectacular service, and wonderful view of the plaza from our table, my boyfriend asked me to marry him following dinner. Our server, who was aware of the occasion, gave us ample time to e...

Nice concept but upon entering the second floor establishment the first thing that caught our eyes was the two dirty ceiling vents ajar and hanging down, as well as an empty hole above the entrance. As diner service started the lobster bisque was an enjoyable starter. However the entrees were less exciting. When the entrées arrived, pheasant breast pink peppercorn and chablis sauce served with the usual potato and veggie. Presentation was fair, but the pheasant was not seasoned and the sauce was not reduced and did not meld together and began to separate, which created pockets of different bitter flavors. Tur other entrée was duck breast in a fig port reduction. Presentation was nice and the duck was seasoned and cooked properly, but the port sauce was slightly overpowering. Service was a bit off as I only received one full glass of iced tea during dinner and our waiter visited the table a half dozen times throughout the evening. One other concern is the menu pricing which we f...

Vinino presents an ingredient-driven menu with exquisite yet straightforward wood fired flatbreads, thinly sliced meats including coppa, salame, and prosciutto, and wonderful cheeses. More information about Vinino. Azul Latin Bistro for a distinctive dining experience! The dining room features a beautifully lighted blue wall creating a unique ambiance in which to enjoy your Spanish, Cuban and Mexican fusion cuisine. More information about Azul.

Almost 50 people were on hand last month our monthly Dine-Around. This almost record setting turnout was treated to some fabulous cuisine at two popular Plaza area restaurants. Our first stop was Fiorella’s Jack Stack .From the moment we arrived; we knew we were in for a treat!! The aroma of smoked meats enveloped us as we walked through the restaurant. We were seated on the incredibly comfortable new patio overlooking Brush Creek. There was a cozy fire pit in the middle of the patio, and glowing torchieres for light. It was the perfect night and the perfect setting for some absolutely wonderful food! We started off with some appetizers. The large, crispy, sweet onion rings were a hit among the crowd! The smoked ribs were so tender they literally fell off the bone! The burnt ends were smoked to perfection and just melted in our mouths! The entire staff was extremely courteous and accommodating. They certainly gave us the VIP treatment! This is the ideal place to enjoy barbecue! More in...

I have frequently touted the perfect service at Starker's Reserve, and my visit last night did not disappoint. This restaurant was always a favorite of mine, but I had not yet had an opportunity to enjoy the culinary offerings of the new owner/chef John McClure. Let's just say we were not disappointed. Mrs. Food Snob and I began with a nice selection of Stags' Leap 'the leap' cabernet from the famous wine list. We ordered the mushroom soup with truffle oil as a first course, which was smooth, subtle, and perfect. I followed with the Rabbit confit with puff pastry and a truffle scented cream presentation, while my wife ordered the seared foie gras with an inspiring apple butter with beignets that reminded her of apple fritters and spoke of autumn in the way that only apples can. The foie gras was crusted with sea salt, which offset the creamy texture of the liver with a wonderful little crunch. For the third course, I selected the rack of lamb with golden raisins and...

What a fabulous time we had on Dine around this month! It was a beautiful autumn evening lending the perfect weather to enjoy the patio at Bo Lings City Market. This place has a very distinct, contemporary ambiance from the other area Bo Lings restaurants but the food is the same, award winning cuisine that we love! Our gracious hosts, Richard and Teresa treated us to several menu favorites as well as their new sushi that is currently being offered only at this location. It was perfect! Afterwards, we ventured across the street to Seven the newest, trendiest hotspot in town! We were seated in the upscale VIP loft overlooking a magnificent view of the sun setting over the KC skyline. We enjoyed a luscious buffet featuring their northern Italian cuisine. Of course a trip to Seven would not be complete without trying one of their 7 Deadly Sins martinis! We were impressed with the unique, tasty and potent combinations that were offered in these beverages!