Week Six- La Bodega

Saturday, February 21, 2015
La Bodega
703 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 

In week six, we chose La Bodega and planned accordingly to sit, eat, drink and relax all staying within a budget. We researched their website and found out they have a pretty nice Happy Hour on Saturdays from 2-6pm. We were anticipating bad weather late Friday night but since the roads were not bad at all that day, we had the pleasure of going to a late lunch and left feeling very full and pleased! 

-La Bodega provides the table with complimentary bread and olive oil-balsamic vinegar mix for dipping. Fabulous! 

-We started with the Queso de Cabra Al Horno ($4.00). Goat cheese baked in housemade tomato fresco and served the garlic crostinis. ABSOLUTELY delicious! The tomato sauce and goat cheese tasted so fresh and the crostinis were very flavorful. Also, I dipped the complimentary bread (not toasted) into the tomato fresco which was delicious. 

It was a very happy hour! 
-I ordered a Red Sangria ($3.50) which was fantastic and I would definitely recommend. The Sangria was half price during Happy Hour (normally $7.00/glass or $30.00/pitcher). I will definitely be coming back with other sangria lovers to get the $15.00 pitcher during those Happy Hours. 
-Clinton ordered a Modelo beer, served with a lime($3.00). 

 We then decided to try our own small plate. Who doesn't love TAPAS?! 
-I got an order of the Papas Fritas con Ajo ($3.75). Refried-roasted potatoes with garlic, parsley and garlic-cumin aioli. I asked for a side of ketchup and Tobasco sauce to heat them up a bit. The aioli was delicious! 

 -Clinton got an order of the Calamares y Chorizo a la Plancha ($4.50). Sautéed squid with Bilbao chorizo in olive oil, garlic and lemon sauce. 

Recommendation: The food and drinks were absolutely delicious and the environment was very fun! They have a nice patio on the side of the building that we both look forward to coming back and enjoying. We are excited to try some different Tapas the next time we go. 

After the delicious meal, I was ready for a nap because I was so full. Too much bread but everything was so delicious I just couldn't stop. We ended up running some errands and browsing a ReStore shop before heading back to our home. We enjoyed a relaxing evening at home with great friends, more food and drinks! 

Deb 

Week Five - Lulu's Asian Bistro

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Lulu's Asian Bistro

2701 W. 47th Westwood, KS 66205

This week's restaurant was supposed to be in St. Louis but we headed back to KC early to beat the incoming inclement weather and ate at Lulu's instead.

We started off with an order of Salmon Rangoon ($6.00)

Deb ordered the Pad Se Eu ($10.49) with all veggies and no protein.  Spice level: hot.

I ordered the Rainbow Peanut Noodles ($11.99).  Spice level: medium.  

Recommendation:  We will definitely be back.  This is nearing the top of my favorite restaurants thus far.  The service was good until we had to wait 20 minutes for a box and our check.

Bonus: they have happy hour all day Sunday (i.e. $6.00 Salmon Rangoon).  The happy hour also includes $9.00 Miller Light buckets although we chose not order beer.  The happy hour menu in general has numerous other food items that are either $4.00, $5.00, or $6.00.

Clint

Week Four - Cupini's

Monday, February 2, 2015

Cupini's Italian Food

1809 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111

Deb: Combination Special ($7.49)
-Half House Salad with Balsamic Dressing
-Half Melanzane (Eggplant) Cold Panini

Clinton: Combination Special ($7.49 + $1.00 up-charge)
-Half House Salad with Balsamic Dressing
-Half Salsiccia Hot Panini

At Cupini's, you order at the counter and a server brings the food to your table. It is more of a casual restaurant environment but still with a nice Italian feel to it. In the entrance of the restaurant, there are two different cases filled with food. One had a variety of pasta salads, appetizers and fresh pasta available and the other was filled with what looks like decadent Italian desserts. 

Recommendation: The Paninis were absolutely delicious and the salads were great. The balsamic dressing was very tasty... I even poured some onto my panini. We plan to go back and try other options that are available on the menu, especially the homemade pastas and pizzas.

Afterwards, we joined some friends for a drink at a local bar in North Kansas City. 

Deb

Week Three - The Restaurant at the Cheshire

Sunday, February 1, 2015

The Restaurant at the Cheshire

7036 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63117

Week three was our first St. Louis restaurant of the year.

Deb ordered the Smoked Salmon and Farm Egg Sandwich ($10.00) which came with a lemon chive cream cheese and fries that I volunteered to help her finish.  She also ordered a coffee (Kaldi's).  Deb loves coffee.

I ordered the Cheshire Benedict ($13.00) which is Eggs Benedict with smoked Canadian bacon. 

The meal started off with a basket of complimentary biscuits and apple butter.

Recommendation: This is a must try.  Everything we had was absolutely delicious and the service was great as well.  Once again the alcoholic beverages were a little on the pricey side so we steered clear. 

We went to the Cheshire with Jessica and Conrad the morning after attending the inaugural Vices and Virtues Ball in Soulard.  The masquerade ball was...different.  We were glad to have tried it but probably will not attend again next year. 

Clint

Week Two- Genessee Royale

Sunday, January 25, 2015 

Genessee Royale

1531 Genessee St, Kansas City, MO 64102

Deb:
-Raised Waffles ($10.00)
-Bull Mountain Blend Coffee ($2.50)

Clinton:
-B&G ($10.00)

The prices were a little on the expensive side therefore we decided against enjoying a morning cocktail.

Overall, the coffee and the food were delicious and the service was superb. We visited this restaurant on a rainy and cold Sunday in January and almost every table was filled for brunch. This restaurant provides a great environment and during the warmer seasons with a patio available out front.


Recommendation: Definitely enjoy a nice weekend brunch at Genessee Royal. This restaurant is located in The West Bottoms, which consists of local restaurants, bars and antique shops. We definitely recommend exploring this area.

After our Sunday breakfast, we did some weekly grocery shopping at the Historic City Market. This was not the most ideal day to go to the farmer's market mainly because it was rainy and cold even though all of the vendors and shops are covered and inside. The produce was not as fresh as it normally is when we go on Saturday mornings but it is always an enjoyable experience to go.

Deb

Week One - Milwaukee Delicatessen Company

Thursday, January 15, 2015
Milwaukee Delicatessen Company
101 W. 9th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105

We drew Milwaukee Delicatessen Company for our first restaurant.

Deb ordered a slice of green olive pizza ($4.20) from Pizza 51 which is served at Milwaukee Deli. This was partially cheating since we have both been to Pizza 51 but, when in Rome... or something. Deb also had a glass of Boulevard Wheat ($5.00).

I ordered the pulled pork sandwich ($9.50) and a glass of Tallgrass Ethos IPA ($5.00)

We also ordered garlic cheese breadsticks ($3.74) which aren't pictured because they were never brought to the table.

Overall we really liked the food.  However, the service was sub-par.  It took awhile for us to get greeted, order, get our food, etc.

Recommendation: Definitely try this out, especially if you're already downtown.

After dinner we went to a free showing of a trio from The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater  at the Gem Theater at the American Jazz Museum put on by Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey.  The show was very well done and there were some interactive parts for kids and parents.  There was also a Q&A at the end where I was almost called on to ask the last question of the night.  However, an over-zealous mid-thirty year-old man decided he wanted to ask a question more than I did...

Clint