Ethnic eats

Some different "ethnic" eats.

Chosun: Now, I am a Midtown girl, so I don't make it out to the OP (bitch) very often, but one night whilst doing some errands close by, I decided to stop by this seedy little strip mall and eat at Chosun Korean BBQ. One of my friends recommended this place to me, and since she is a fellow gourmand and has excellent taste, I thought why not. Traditionally I am not a huge fan of Korean food. I find it bland, and since I'm not the world's most tolerant spice eater, the kim chi does not work for me. It in fact works against me, about 4-6 hours later when I'm wishing for death. For those unaware, Korean BBQ establishments have a grill in the middle of your table and it is kind of choose your own adventure. They bring a lot of side dishes--from pickled vegetables, salad, pickled hot dogs?, bean sprouts, kim chi, and spicy tofu. You grill your meat and then eat it with rice. This place was not bad. There were no Korean spareribs, which is my favorite dish--I may have to post my mom's recipe one day, so we ordered a steak (yeah we're totally not adventurous) which the server then grilled for us on the grill in the middle of the table. The servers didn't really know English, which isn't a problem with me--as a barely speaking Vietnamese person I've experienced a lot worse in terms of communication barriers--but they also weren't readily available or overly friendly. The meal cost like $25, because we shared the steak, and it was enough. I actually really like the sweet/sour hot dog pieces and the kim chi wasn't as spicy as some others I've had--it was in fact manageable for me. We let our steak get a little overdone, but that was our bad. Overall, not bad, but it didn't overwhelmingly wow me either--not sure if I will be making the drive out there again.

El Pulgarcito: My boyfriend is half Salvadoran, even though he does not speak Spanish, and is the whitest person I know. A part from the fact that he has actually been to El Salvador, he really doesn't have anything to do with his heritage. When I heard about this restaurant, I was like, we have to go there. So I was expecting a hole in the wall type place--and it did not deviate from my expectations. The restaurant on 59th and Merriam basically looks like an abandoned house--in fact, my boyfriend asked if this was actually some old Salvadoran lady's house. There is a countertop, and like 6-7 tables around the place---very small. Each table has a big cannister of pickled cabbage, carrots, cucumbers which I'm told is a staple accoutrement to Salvadoran food. We had pupusas, these fried corn flour cakes filled with cheese topped with chicharrones (pork cracklings, kind of like a very very fried pulled pork), loroco (a root type plant from Latin America), beans, or squash. I had one of these, it was very filling. The bf said it was very authentic, and he was totally excited to have some Cola Champagne; I think it made him reminisce about his 5 yr old self in San Salvador.

Korma Sutra: I have been to both the OP and Westport locations of this Indian eatery, and I have to say, for my amateur Indian food enjoyment, I like it. We often go to the buffet where I gorge myself on chicken pakora, samosas, chicken tikka masala, biryani, tandoori chicken (sometimes very dry). I love the basmati, and the naan, oh the naan--love it. I sop up all the deliciously spicy sauces with it, and let the flavors all swim in my mouth. I eat insane amounts of their chutneys--which I think are the onion, tomato and tamarind. I also like their dessert, the honey balls swimming in coconut milk sugar water. I've had their palak paneer, which may be my favorite dish of all time--shrimp version--and it's a winner. I like the extra perks that come with this place, too. The chai at the end of the meal, the cubes of mango ice cream, and sometimes the tiny honey balls, it's like you ever know what you'll get next. This place makes me want to be a glutton.

Taj Mahal: 75th and Wornall. I've eaten here once, and it was very good. We had the dinner for two--which was like $30 all together and comes with a massive amount of food. It came with paneer, tandoor chicken, tikka masala, possibly lamb biryani--and basmati and naan. There was also dessert and this really great lentil soup. I can't exactly remember what else, but I thought it was great, and the wait-staff was very attentive and friendly. Can't ask for much more than that.

Noodles & Company: I know this is by no means ethnic, but it didn't really deserve it's own entry. I ate here yesterday, actually, at the location in Zona Rosa--and although I liked my pesto cavatappi (my favorite type pasta [so curly!], pesto was not as salty as I would have liked, needed more cowbell), my boyfriend hated his pad thai (said it smelled like something I cannot even write on here--and trust me he eats a lot of my fish sauce laden foods, so it actually did smell kinda funky) and cursed me for making him go to this "restaurant."

See, the only reason I wanted to go here is because of a place in California that I miss dearly called Pasta Bravo. Now, Pasta Bravo is my no means any sort of Michelin star restaurant. Make no mistake, it's not very good. It is in fact, a fast food, mass produced "Italian" eatery (kind of like a classier Fazoli's without the insane best-thing-i've-ever-eaten breadsticks) that serves fettucine alfredo, spaghetti bolognese, other American italian dishes. I ate here a lot in high school--in fact, when I had a reunion with my friends from HS a few months ago, we picked this place to meet. I have been looking for a fast food italian place where the pasta and sauces are in huge warmers in front of your eyes. I am this classy. I eat at Cupini's all the time, but you know what? It's like too gourmet, it is too good. I mean, they make their own pastas for pete sakes. Have you had their proscuitto and cheese tortellini? They don't make that shit for food to go. Pasta bravo hits the spot for me when I need something quick, something not that great.

Joe's on Main used to do it for me with their watered down tomato sauce over mostaccioli, but they are no more. Noodles & Co still has not filled this void in my life. Instead of only italian, they've tried to conquer not one, but two other categories-Asian and American. They have mac and cheese, they've got Japanese pan noodles (which I'm not sure they even have in Japan), mushroom stroganoff, and you can add proteins like grilled chicken, beef, shrimp and tofu to any dish. It was subpar, but for what they are going for, I think they did a good job. Good concept, should have a little better execution. Also, every single table in the place had dirty dishes on it, and we sat at the last clean table before the busboy trudged out 10 minutes later to start cleaning. Mal times, people.

Still haven't found the Middle Eastern fare that I'm looking for--Habashi House at River Market has Jordanian fare that is very good, their meaty combo is totally fetch (gyro meat, pita, hummus (or baba ganoush) a shirazi like salad, and dolmas), but they aren't open for dinner. The falafel here is one of the city's best. I still adore my Gyro van, parked by the UMKC dental school every weekday at lunchtime. You can get the most awesome gyro for $3.50. And it's out of a van, god love ya, Gyro Van. Sometimes you can find them parked in Westport, trust, it is the perfect pairing with Natty lights from Harpo's and the smell of vomit at Kelly's. Yes, even better than Joe's Pizza.

I do like Aladdin Cafe on 39th. When I was doing a research at KU, I ate here a lot. A lot. Their gyro sandwich comes with salad and rice, which makes it a total deal for like $6. It may be $7 now. Their meat is crispy and different than other places, which leads me to believe that it's not made on the traditional rotisserie like oven (they have this at Habashi if you want to see it). I don't know what it's cooked on, but I like it.

Jerusalem cafe is good, gyro is alright. Their side salads are pretty much akin to those you could buy at Wendy's. The Kabob platters are actually very good, if not a little expensive. I still am not understanding why their two locations are a block away from each other (Westport and 39th). Seems a little redundant. Lastly, Jerusalem Bakery and their sandwich shop Golden Wraps on Westport is definitely a sure bet for me. I like their buffet a lot, like the chunks of gyro meat with all you can eat tzatziki (it is kind of bland compared to others though), moussaka, falafel (usually too hard), salads, this baked chicken that is so fall off the bone tender that it makes my heart race in anticipation. Ah, middle eastern is my favorite.

Notice that I did not put KC Pita on here--not middle eastern in the slightest. It is as ethnic as Larry the Cable Guy. And the fact that I know who that is, my friends, is a sure sign that I've lived in Missouri for too long.

Red, Blanc, and Blue?

Blanc Burgers + Bottles is my favorite restaurant right now. I have always loved burgers, mod decor, the color white, and tragically hip denizens, so this is perfect for me. Brought to you by the people who run The Drop--although I think that partnership has ended, this place is totally sophisticated even though it looks like a Diddy party all year long. I have run into some of my most trendy acquaintances along with some very counterculture types here--it's fun for all! I have literally eaten at the Westport eatery like 10 times--and I can still fit in my skinny jeans, bitches.

My favorite is the inside out burger which is burger with blue cheese and bacon. Like, what are the chefs invading my dreams or something? I couldn't think up a better burger. The au poivre is a close second because I love the overwhelming flavor of peppercorn permeating throughout the meat. Plus I like crescents on my burger. The meatloaf burger is decent, but unforch, I like will always get the other two. Plus it is too saucy for my taste. I also like the Classic, simple, understated. The bison burger is not only tasty, but like 99% fat free. Awesome. My veg friends eat the vegetarian lentil burger, but seriously if I'm at Blanc, I want my taste buds to cohabit with meat.

The sides are equally as awesome. The sweet potato fries are my fav, but the classic fries are skinny and extra crispy, just the way I like them. The onion rings are also good, and why wouldn't they be, they're battered with Boulevard. I haven't had the truffle fries or the calamari fries--what am I, made of money? I hear they are totally bananas though. I will have to try them next time.

The best thing though is that they have lunch specials from 11-3 on the weekdays where you get a smaller version of the burger (not the inside out though, drats!), which is perfect size IMO and a side for $8. Some others would say that the best thing about the restaurant is its insane selection of bottles--spirits, tea, soda, etc--but as a person who doesn't drink that much, I just stick to the iced tea, coincidentally not bottled. There's like 200+ varieties, and my boyfriend freaks out when we go there because he can get La fin du monde, for like $5. It's more expensive at the Flying Saucer, where he usually gets it.

I've never had the milkshakes (made with Foo's!), because I feel like I'm dying of cholesterol every time I eat here. The burgers are pretty greasy and I could only imagine how my LDLs are looking. Fat, probably. They are probably looking fat. That's the one downside, damn you Blanc burger. Damn you for being so tasty.

Times a changin'

Reading some of my old posts, I have realized how much has changed in my culinary tastes. I've also realized that I go out to eat a lot. Rudy's is like one of my favorites go-to places for Mexican--love the quesadilla, love the fajitas.

For more mexican fare: Sol Azteca (off Southwest and Rainbow)--which has some very legit tacos del carbon, and their fajita quesadilla is also very good. Their salsa is very fresh and zesty, too. I have been here several times, and it has not disappointed. The family also runs Dos Reales in Shawnee?, near the Fazoli's which is really good, too.

Teocali by UMKC Med/Dental school is also very good, their tacos are great, quesadillas and enchiladas are if not authentic, very savory. Very crowded at lunch, filled with dental, med and Children's Mercy workers.

Bo Ling's (chinese please) is now a favorite because their kung pao chicken is seriously the bomb--the sauce is thick and dark, served with fried green beans, it is spicy and the chicken is tender and perfect. If it wasn't like $12, I would totally eat this more often. There are a bunch of locations which makes it convenient too. I like the one at City Market because the decor is nicer than that on the Plaza.

I've eaten at Bangkok Pavilion since the last time I wrote, and you know what? Not bad at all. The only thing was that we were the only diners for like 80% of the meal and it was a Saturday night. Not very promising. The Pad thai was good, not tomato based, chicken was tender and tofu was very good. Apparently there is a buffet or something on the weekends, but it is quite a drive for me. And if I'm going to be out that way, I usually just grab something to eat at Whole Foods. Gotta love those pizzas.

Sung Son, my fave Vietnamese restaurant in the city (I am Vietnamese, so you should probably take my recommendation) has a lunch buffet! I love it. The concept is something I haven't seen before, which is surprising because in my day I've been to a lot of Vietnamese buffets in SoCal. There is a noodle bar, where you can have one of five types of soups (Beef Chicken Bo Vien [meatball] Pho, Seafood or Pork/Chicken Hu Tieu) made to order. There are like 15 or so other food items to choose from: Bun Thit nuong (Vermicelli with grilled pork, my fav!), Banh Tom Chien (sweet potato fries with shrimp), Spring Rolls with peanut sauce, egg rolls, Goi Ga (Chicken Salad, Viet style = no mayo, lots of flavor), Chinese fare such as General Tso's, Chow Mein, Fried Rice, Spare ribs; french style beef, curried chicken.

Have been to the Classic Cookie at Gregory and Wornall for brunch a few times now. Cute, small mom and pop place--food is okay, you know you could get the same stuff anywhere. I've had the breakfast burrito, which according to my dining companion would be so much better if the tortilla was grilled. The charm is in the small basket of baked goods that comes with lunch. I learned this the hard way when I ate breakfast there, requested a basket and was charged like $4 for it--and the cookies were kind of stale. The mini-muffins are awesome though, love the pumpkin and apple cinnamon ones.

KC BBQ: rubbing me the right way since 2006

I've spent almost 6 years in Kansas City, and am actually hoping to do my medical residency here, too--which would mean another 5 years in the Emerald City/City of Fountains/Heart of America. So I thought I would re-start this blog and talk about my recent experiences with the culinary delights of this fine city. I'm not even being sarcastic or loose with my usage of the word 'delights'.

I have been busy, but since I am currently enjoying the senioritis that comes with any last year of intense schooling, I have a little more time on my hands that I could probably use studying, improving myself by going to the gym, reading, etc, but instead I choose to spend it here with you. Won't you be my neighbor?

As a medical student in this fine city (we have three medical school here by the way, talk about saturation), you would think I would be all about healthy choices. Judging from the fact that I ate at Gates BBQ (Hi, may I help you!) last night, that is obviously not true.

I think I may be changing my stance on BBQ. Kansas City BBQ is a dry rub type of BBQ that isn't pre-sauced on the grill/in the smoker whatever. I like this, I like to mix my own sauces (it's like fine chemistry to get it all right) and smother it all over the meat I get. Since I am a control freak and enjoy this autonomy, KC BBQ beats Texas/Tennessee/other random Southern states IMHO.

Now that said, Gates was the first BBQ place I sampled on the day of my orientation in July of 2003. I did not like it. I didn't like the yelling, I didn't like the greasiness, I didn't like the overwhelming sodium intake that comes along with smothering everything in their classic sauce. That said, if you are a visitor to Kansas City, I think you should at least try it, if not one of the other BBQ joints I will list in the coming paragraphs. There's lots of locations across the metro--I go to the one on Main, and sometimes the one of Troost. Yeah. I said Troost. Don't be alarmed when the workers yell, "Hi, may I help you!" it's a part of the schtick and charm.

I hate to say it, but I kind of like Gates now. Sort of. Every time I go there, I get the burnt ends on bun, but invariable I never eat the bun. It is definitely tasty, but so greasy and there are always chunks of fat which are not that appetizing to me. They also serve steak fries of which I am not a huge fan. I do like their classic sauce more so than the sweet version and I like the pickles so that works out.

Now the best BBQ in the city, in my opinion, is Oklahoma Joe's. You have to go to the original location off 47th and Mission--the restaurant is in a gas station. Which makes it so effing cool. Don't think they don't capitalize on that, they've got a t-shirt. I mean, if that's not kitsch, I don't know what is. The Z-man is the most heavenly tasting sandwich ever--juicy brisket, provolone topped off with an onion ring on a kaiser roll. Smother that in their Cowtown sauce and oh my god, I need a minute. God love ya, OK Joe's. If the Z-man were a real man, I would marry him. Their Carolina sandwich which is pulled pork, brisket, or turkey with spicy slaw and 'Bubba's sauce' is also decent. Doesn't quite make it to Z status though. Their bag of seasoned fries is HUGE (that's what she said, yes I'm still living in 2006) and their onion rings are to die for. Not to mention their Hog Heaven sandwich--pork sausage and pulled pork, yeah I know...awesome, is great too. Their sauces really make everything though. The Cowtown is a mild tomato, while the night of the living dead is a chipotle infused sweet/hot sauce. There is also a very thin/liquidy vinegar based tomato sauce that has nice spice. If you only have time to go to one place, GO TO OKLAHOMA JOE's. But, be prepared to wait, it is very popular.

Arthur Bryant's: I'm a little ashamed to say I've never been to the original location in the 18th and Vine area of KC. I have however, been to the one in the Ameristar because that's the way I roll. I would say, eh, not that great. Didn't really care for the sauce or the white bread it was served with. Like I get what they're going for, and I could see how people would really like it, but I'm not sure that it is worthy of one of the 1000 places to see before you die. Trivia factoid: it's the only 'see before you die' location in Missouri, beating out the St. Louis Arch, Harry S Truman home/museum, Hannibal MO, Nelson Atkins shuttlecocks, and my personal favorite the world's largest Pecan in Brunswick. Yeah, I'll be quiet now.

Jack Stack: If you're looking for some finer dining options in the realm of BBQ, I would definitely suggest Jack Stack. I've been to the Plaza and Downtown locations--both chic cowboy elegant, and have also had their catering on several occasions. The prime rib sandwich is awesome, as is the Poor Russ which is burnt ends on a sesame seed bun (I love me some burnt ends as you can see). You have to try the cheesy corn because you'll never ever go back to regular creamed again--dare I say that I would take a bath in the stuff, although of course I'd let it cool down first. Their turkey, beef brisket, and pork ribs are all juicy (virtually impossible when you order catering from anywhere, but somehow the meat juices hold up).

I've eaten at Famous Dave's at the American Royal-verdict: fair, but mass produced so it isn't anything to blog about. They have that big location at Power and Light, which kudos to their real estate scout.

There are literally like 100 more BBQ restaurants in KC, but I'll have to start taking some blood pressure meds if I want to visit any more of them. I'm having palps just thinking about it.