Denis Culinary Tours

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday commemorating the victory of Mexican troops over the French in the battle over Puebla on 5 May 1862 which emphasizes the Mexican heritage among Americans. The symbol of the festival is the Mexican icon representing the Mother of God from Guadalupe - the patron of both Americas.  There are several Mexican restaurants in the KC metro area celebrating Cinco de Mayo with drink specials and other fun events. Here is a list of a few in the area. • Margarita's  – All five of this long-established restaurant group are offering drink specials, t-shirt and trinket giveaways (these last, until they run out . . . but they have lots!)  • Sullivan’s – From 3 to 6 pm enjoy $7 margaritas made with 1800 reposado and silver tequila and Sullivan’s Street Tacos for $13  • Ixtapa - food & drink specials all day. •  Genovese - Cinco de Mayo Tequila Dinner - menu here

Something Different for Mother’s Day  I’m here to suggest you do something a little unusual this Mother’s Day even if it’s in a place you have been many times. I’m talking Union Station and before I get to the feasts available that day, here’s my idea. Give yourself plenty of time and go to the far east side of the first floor and discover how it all came to be. There’s more information, drawings, photographs, and artifacts on the second and third floors (take the elevator). You can learn all about the original Fred Harvey’s Restaurant as you experience the Union Station Story – and its many stories.  But don’t miss one of my favorite things – the Martin Rotach art piece done in 2012 as a “Homage to Hopper.” It’s to the right of Pierpont’s (with its own Mother’s Day three course prix-fixe brunch, $35) flanked by glassed-in cases that contain mostly Harvey House items. It’s a work that will take you back in time with its wonderful details.  Once you know a lit...

Sweet, Rich, and Decadent, All Together Now One thing I love is the unexpected. Like when the sun miraculously appears on a day the weathermen have ALL said thunderstorms ALL day – just in time for your patio party. Or when a top political figure says something sensible – and doesn’t then immediately ruin it by injudicious explanation. Or when a pizza place offers something delicious besides their pizza – like dessert.  I have that place for you: Grimaldi’s on 135th Street. They have a seasonal cheesecake selection in addition to their other goodies – and I’ve seen them make them. More cream cheese in one bowl (tub? vat?) than you can imagine. Whipping cream mountains. Caramel drizzled and coconut sprinkled like a tropical downpour. Their current specials include Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Cheesecake chunked up with you can probably guess what. Their Caramel Coconut Cheesecake is a caramel cheesecake with caramel glaze and toasted coconut on an Oreo crust, all...

Graduation Celebration on The Independence Square Hey Graduates! We want to celebrate your achievement! Let us treat you to a meal (up to $20.17) at one of these restaurants: Diamond Bowl , Cafe Verona , Ophelia's , Court House Exchange , Square Pizza - all located on the Independence Square!  To redeem - Must have school ID, tassel, or graduation program  Discount applies to party of 6 or more, per graduate Good May 2017 - June 2017

Fiesta Time at Pryde’s A true foodie knows that a delicious meal is about more than taste – there’s the ambience of the place, there’s the staff, the smell, and the visual, too. Recently, the visual has come to mean the arrangement and the sheer esthetic of the food. But wait, say I, what about the basis, the foundation? Yes, I’m talking PLATES and their accompanying family, dishes and glassware. And silverware, too, if you must be exact. But what comes first to my mind when I think of the well – dressed table? The plate. How does it fit the food item? Does the color make the food look more appetizing? Does the texture add or subtract from the flavor? And the first plate that has continually struck my fancy? The circa 1930s fabulous Fiestaware with its trademark bright – or light – colors and high gloss surface that almost beams its own light onto the food. And if we’re going to talk Fiesta, we need to talk Pryde’s Kitchenware and Necessities. They’ve only been i...

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  – Easter Sunday is a foodie paradise at the restaurants at Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa with traditional holiday menus set for Journey Steakhouse and Terrace Buffet. All nonsmoking restaurants are located off the casino floor offering hundreds of seating options for the whole family on Easter Sunday. TERRACE BUFFET Starting with breakfast, Terrace Buffet has two prices for Easter (April 16) depending on a diner’s arrival time. Traditional breakfast favorites will be offered from 7 to 10 a.m. at 14.99 for adults and 9.99 for children. With nearly endless options of made-to-order selections featuring fresh, local ingredients, the Easter Buffet is open from 11 a.m. to 9pm for $26.99 (adults) and $15.99 (children). The Terrace Buffet Easter Special offers traditional Easter cuisine such as leg of lamb, sliced-to-order ham, slow-roasted strip loin as well as non-traditional favorites from throughout the world: Italian, Chinese, Japanese, as well as seafood,...

Let’s Get Happy for an Hour (or More)  You have probably noticed that Kansas City has a plethora of Mexican food restaurants. Some are specific to an area, some are, pretty commonly here, what we need to call Tex-Mex. That means, broadly, lots of cheese (queso) of one kind or another, meats, veggies, often with a variety of sauces ranging from mild to hot due to chili peppers but those are usually red or green.  For a fuller explanation of the origin, don’t miss my current centerfold article, “Culinary Customs” in the newest Restaurant Guide, available all over town or right here . OK, done with shameless self-promotion.  Anyway, I have a place for you to try for happy hour – it’s cheap, plentiful, vacation-y feeling, and very good. Ted's Café Escondido has a new (since January) happy hour from 3-6 p.m. weekdays. It’s a place where $5 goes a long way: 18 ounce schooners of house margaritas, Dos Equis Amber or Pacifico beers. Great way to start. Then ...