Table Hopping – April 2011
“New or Notable Neighborhood Restaurants”
Tavern in the Village
3901 Prairie Lane
Prairie Village, KS 66208
(913) 529-2229
Owner, Kelly Manning’s, fine dining background and the fact he grew up in the neighborhood, provided him the perfect insight he needed to open his new place in the Prairie Village Shops. With old money on his right, and starter families on his left, his restaurant is the perfect balance between the two. The menu also strikes a middle chord. Chef Lon Froneberger, from The Oread in Lawrence, does a clubby; steaks, chops, sandwich and salad menu that is simply satisfying. It is what a neighborhood restaurant should be, easy and comfortable. Get the Grilled Pork Porterhouse with andouille cheddar hash and grilled asparagus for $19. SIT: At the bar, and let David Smuckler, a talented mixologist, shake you up a Rosewater Citrus Rickey before dinner.
Hickok’s Bar & Grill
528 Walnut
Kansas City, MO 64105
(816) 472-0161
Owner, Forbes Cross, has owned and operated restaurants numbering in the double digits in Kansas City, most notably, Michael Forbes Grill in Waldo. He knows neighborhood restaurants. Hickok’s Bar & Grill in the River Market shows the professional attention to staff, food and atmosphere of someone who has been in the business for many, many years. The place is polished, the service is warm and attentive, the food is a delicious mix of Mexican and American favorites with Asian twists thrown in, like Ahi Tuna Nachos. Chef Michael Peterson, formerly of Trezo Mare, consulted and developed the menu and it shows the care of a Chef. EAT: The Roasted Yard Bird, ½ a chicken, herb basted with bacon onion marmalade, jalapeno mashers, veggies and pan jus for $11.
Fazenda Brazilian Grill
8626 N. Boardwalk Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64154
(816) 268-8838
A quick-casual Brazilian steakhouse where you pay $6.99 a pound and serve yourself, may sound strange, but it does exist in Brazil where it is referred to as “comida por kilo”. Who better to open this new “everyday casual” style Brazilian steakhouse than former Em Chamas co-owner, Jeff Peterson and his college roommate, Christian Maciel? Fazenda Brazilian Grill is a pick up a plate and go through the line place. That is, until you hit the grilled meats, those are carved at a station for you. With cold and hot bar featuring favorites like black beans and rice, seafood stew and stroganoff you will definitely want a taste of it all. GET: The most flavorful cut of steak, the top sirloin cap, also called “picanha”.
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 Italian Beef, seasoned roast beef with house made giardiniera on sesame roll for $11. Chef Nate does a casual and relaxed dinner too, thus ruling the restaurant roost in the Crestwood Shops. SWEET: and sour, aside from their famous lemon cake, order any of the other wonderful dessert and baked goods, they are all smashing.
Good News: Good You at The News Room
3740 Broadway Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 561-1099
Running the Good You organic food truck by day, Chef Kelli Daniels and her partner Kate Szalay, needed a kitchen to prepare their daily specials. A friend pointed them to the unused kitchen inside of The New Room bar. By night, as Kelli was prepping, the smell of good food tempted bar patrons who inquired about buying her food, and that was when “Good News” was born. Open Tuesday – Friday nights from 9 pm – until 2 am. If you thought there was no quality late night food to be found, the Good Mac cheeseburger, hand cut fries and blueberry ketchup will make you change your mind. A small but tasty menu of items are only $3-$8. PLACE: your order at the window of Kelli’s shoebox sized kitchen inside The News Room.
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