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 –...

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...