November 2008 Table Hopping

TASTEBUD Magazine
Table Hopping - November 2008
“Giving Thanks for these New or Notable Eateries.”

Teocali Mexican Restaurant
2512 Holmes Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 221-4749
http://teocali.com

On a quiet street in the Longfellow/Dutch Hill neighborhood, find Teocali east of Hallmark, north of Truman Medical and south of Children’s Mercy. Seek out this charmer and settle in for authentic Mexican food and service with a smile. Owners, Enrique & Chela Gutierrez make food from their home in Teocaltiche, Jalisco, Mexico. Order the Carne de Puerco con Chile, and get chunks of tender pork slowly simmered in smoky hot sauce served with rice, beans and either corn or flour tortillas for $9. Fish tacos are also a house specialty here for $9. Margarita’s rule or try the Horchata, a traditional drink of cinnamon, sugar and rice-water. LIVE: or work within a reasonable distance and place a minimum order of $25, and they will deliver.

Kabab & Curry
12112 West 87th Street Parkway
Lenexa, KS 66215
(913) 888-8040

You won’t miss the newly opened Kabab & Curry in the back of this Lenexa shopping center because owner, Surinder Becker, has smartly hung a sign that says: “Yes, we’re open!” With a soothing upscale dining room, the breadth and quality of the Indian dishes delivers almost as much pleasant surprise as the decor. Most impressive is the list of traditional Indian breads, try an order for $2-$3. Sample various types and flavors of Roti, Naan, Paratha, Kulcha or Puri. Kababs from the tandoori oven are cooked to perfection, while the spicy Lamb Bhuna for $12 and the Curry in Chicken, Beef or Shrimp really deliver the heat. GET: your food spiced the way you prefer from mild to spicy, or ask for guidance, they know what level of heat tastes the best.

Delaware Cafe
300 Delaware Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
(816) 842-0303
http://www.giphter.com/delawarecafe

Here’s the buzz about the talented young guns at the newly reformed Delaware Café, which used to be just a breezy lunch spot in the River Market. The team is culinary whiz kid, Executive Chef Joe West, formerly of Bluestem along with Chef Chris Eis, formerly of 1924 Main and Chef Andrew Stannard, formerly of 40 Sardines. The lunch menu remains largely the same, but the dinner menu is filled with sassy dishes like, Pan Basted Sea Scallops with cauliflower pureé, foie gras pierogi, huckleberry “paint” and foie gras crisps for $27. Flirting with gastro techniques and eye-popping presentations, know that there is a method to the madness as the food is delicious and wholly satisfying. ORDER: the Kitchen Table Eight Course Tasting, $85 a person, and give thanks we have this team downtown.

Café Europa
323 E. 55th Street
Kansas City, MO 64113
(816) 523-1212

Café Europa is serious about serving the best classic American food at reasonable prices in Brookside. Owner, Andy Atterbury, hired Executive Chef Nate Feldmiller, formerly of Circe on 39th Street, and Pastry Chef Anna Morrow to figure out the type of restaurant that would be in demand and meet the needs of the diverse neighborhood clientele they serve. Café Europa does a brisk lunch business, with memorable soups, quiches and sandwiches. Try the Turkey with Sweet Nutty Cream Cheese sandwich served on thick homemade bread for $9. Chef Nate does a casual and relaxed dinner too, thus ruling the restaurant roost in the Crestwood Shops. SWEET: and sour, get the famous Lemon Cake for dessert, a carry-over item from the previous owner, Gigi Cowell.

t*a*s*t*e
7938 Santa Fe Drive
Overland Park, KS 66204
(913) 766-0320

Executive Chef Jonathon Dallen left his first restaurant, Tonic, and KC two years ago to tour the world on a yacht as a personal Chef. He came back to downtown Overland Park, where he bought the same space where it had all began. He has named the new restaurant Taste, in the hope that people would order many small plates to taste. See 26 small plates for you to mix and match all between $5-$12. Try the Tasting of Meat Satays with dipping sauces (Chef’s choice) for $10. Taste delivers comfortable food with a hint of Asian influence and all of the seafood dishes are a standout. This will be your favorite neighborhood hang-out. TELL: the Chef the number of “tastes” you are up for and he will gladly prepare a special plate for you to sample them all.

Comments

[GWO]

Looking forward to seeing your new PICS about your recent trip and the restaurants we visited!

[Jenny V.]

GWO - I can't thank you enough for taking me around to all of the hottest spots in Tulsa, during your campaign. You have earned your honorary foodie stripes from me, my friend.