Denis Culinary Tours

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 –...

This week I attended a fabulous dinner at Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar and it has occurred to me that I’m not doing this kind of thing often enough. This was called “The Longest Day to Drink Rose” and six different rosés were featured. Honestly, each one was better than the last, or next, and all the food, prepared by six chefs with each in charge of one, was better than the last or next. Or something. It was a fun evening – great food, drink, and I met some very cool people, too.  Most of our better restaurants do an occasional wine or beer dinner or just what’s billed as a special evening. Usually, it’s financially a good deal because everyone cooking, pouring, or serving is hyped to do their very, very best.  Here are five things to know:  Prior:  1. When you make your reservation, be sure to confirm date, time, and whether it’s individual tables or group seating. If it’s group, and you want to be seated with your friends, be sure to tell them. ...

One Great Dish -- It’s Kimchi for Me!  Back in May, I talked with Executive Chef Brandon Winn of Webster House . He’s so personable it made my blog easy to write. I asked him to give us a favorite dish that even I could make, and he suggested kimchi. I must admit I’ve only ever had kimchi in Korean restaurants, where the often spicy, pickled or fermented cabbage, onions, and assorted veggies mixture is a staple. I’ve never thought of making it myself. Chef Winn says it’s easy.   He said, “Kimchi is something that I have been playing around with for the last year for a myriad of reasons. First and foremost, it is delicious, ever evolving and complex. Secondly, there are a large handful of health benefits to fermented foods (i.e., yogurt) that have extreme impacts on the body, how it processes food, breaks down nutrients and maintains a healthy homeostasis. It provides a high level of cruciferous vegetables which aid in keeping the body’s PH levels intact.”...

Let’s go back: Twenty years ago, the Kansas City restaurant world was a different place.  The Plaza had many local restaurants while downtown really wasn’t an eating destination other than daytime. The Power and Light District, the Sprint Center, the Kauffman weren’t around. The Crossroads basically didn’t exist either.  Zona Rosa wasn’t developed until 2004.  Prairiefire followed ten years later when 135th wasn’t too far South for many to even contemplate.  If you were asked back then about our restaurants, you’d probably mention only steak and barbeque – not sure we could be called a “restaurant town” like we are today. A restaurant town, according to Charles Ferruzza, acclaimed food critic here who is writing a book about “old” KC and its eateries, means that our metro area has “a lively, varied and interesting selection of independently-operated restaurants, upscale chain restaurants, and ethnic dining that go beyond the traditional.”  We did certainly ha...

Dick Hawk's  Gaslight Grill  Music Education Appreciation Night June 14, 2017  7 - 9 PM    An evening especially for music students, music educators and their guests to experience world class jazz and a three course dinner. Exchange viewpoints and enjoy an evening of Dixieland Jazz & Favorites from the 30's & 40's from Lynn Zimmer and the Jazz Band. THREE COURSE DINNER & JAZZ SHOW $29.00/ PERSON Or you can order from our regular menu. Tax & a 20% gratuity to be added. Reservations by phone are required. Credit Card will be required when making a reservation as seating is limited and always a sell out.    Call 913-897-3540 No discounts apply to this show.