David "Giggity, Giggity, Goo!" A.'s Profile
DateKansas City, MO 64105
Jason Domingues Photography
Category:
Video/Film Production
Neighborhoods: Rivermarket, Greater Downtown
Anyhow, met up with some friends here and we were shown to our seat. We all remarked on the ambiance. The very high ceilings, the bricks (loft-ish style), mirrors, German artwork, the bar, the woodwork, etc. Really stylish!
This is the 2nd time I've ever had German food in a restaurant setting before. I didn't have that great an experience the first time (I didn't like the food), so I went in with low expectations hoping to be blown away since this place was so highly rated.
I looked at the entire menu and could only find 4 items that remotely looked appetizing to me. Unfortunately, all four had dairy. I found the menu to be very heavy on dairy and pork (which I eat, but I don't really care for it). They agreed to modify the smoked trout and the fried mushrooms so that I could have those dishes (the sauces had dairy). I sampled the non dairy parts of my wife's Goulash as well and one of the veal sausages from a friend.
With the fried mushrooms I could tasty all dough and greasy oil and little mushroom. I did what my friend did and peeled off most of the dough and I enjoyed that better. It just smothered the taste and texture. Frying should enhance it, not hide it!
The smoked trout was OK, but I was not loving it. The tartar sauce they made up without dairy for the mushrooms and the trout tasted like 99% mayo and wasn't mixed too well. It didn't go well with either menu item as far as I was concerned. I LOVED the sauerkraut that came with it, though. It was the highlight of my experience!
The goulash beef was tough and I didn't like the taste of the sauce.
The veal sausage has soft and tender and had a chicken broth like taste to it. However, I didn't like it.
The server was nice, but didn't come by that often to check on us. The service was just OK.
Anyhow, I've decided to not try any further German restaurants. It's just not for me between my limited choices on the menu with my dietary restrictions and the taste. However, my wife and one of my 2 friends loved it, so I know they will be back.
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 371-3264
Strawberry Hill Museum & Cultural Center Inc
Category:
Museums
The people who work there all live (or lived) in the Strawberry Hill area. They're such a friendly group and will be glad to share their personal history. Our tour guide talked about the history of the area and the house (which was a mansion for a wealth family and then became a Catholic orphanage run by nuns).
The mansion itself is quite ornate and it's amazing that it's intact after 80 years worth of children coming through the place. You can see beautiful hand carved woodworking, ceiling and floor panels, a fireplace under a wooden stairwell, and other ornate vintage things you rarely see in today's houses.
They have a chapel where you can pray downstairs and a functioning tea room (where you can experience yesteryear). Upstairs, the former nun's rooms were turned into a Pope Room (where they have many items TWA setup for the Pope when he was visiting the US including his bed, toiletries, etc.) and the other rooms are all setup to represent various ethnic/country backgrounds such as Croatia, Sweden, Ukraine, etc.
I found the downstairs fascinating, but when I came upstairs, I found the various ethnic rooms kind of cheesy. Also, the Christmas decorations in the house I found quite out of place as well. They lessened the value of the experience. It appeared little more than a random haphazard collection of Christmas decorations donated over the years from families that were clearing out their basement of dollar store ornaments. The Chapel would have been a much more meaningful experience with less "Christmas clutter."
I really enjoyed talking to the various family members going back 3 generations worth who worked there who told me about how things changed over the years. It's a shame that the highway project caused the retail and restaurants to close that were tied to the community.
Of note, parking is a cinch. We parked right in front!
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 420-7297
Skillet Diner
Category:
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: Central District
The staff was really friendly and attentive despite the place being packed.
I had the deconstructed corned beef hash, caramalized grape fruit and the fruit fresca.
Wouldn't you know, the caramelized grapefruit was just heavenly! It melted in my mouth. The bitters and sweet flavors mixed together quite well.
The hash was just OK and we hated the fresca, but the waitress gladly took it off the bill and brought out something else free of charge that was a tasty drink. OJ perhaps?
I feel like I'm missing something as most others were floored with their meals.
Parking is a PIA in this neigborhood, so just a heads up.
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 997-9089
The Westside Local
Categories:
American (New),
Sandwiches,
Wine Bars
I've been here 5 times. 4 out of 5 times food were misses. However, here is what is going for it:
Great service, great ambience in the beergarden and the patio dog friendly. I've really enjoyed their drinks and they have quite a good bartender who knows how to mix them up well.
Would I come back? Yes, to hang out with friends and my dog at the beergarden and enjoy some drinks. Food? I really have given up.
2 Previous Reviews:
-
5/31/2010
I anguished over this review. I really WANT to give them 4 stars, but here's why I can't:
I typically go to places like this for the food and the alcohol and vibe 2nd. Whereas the ambience hanging out in the beer garden with your friends and great staff is amazing, the food was really lackluster. Last time I went for the apps and was disappointed. This time, I went for an entree and was also let down.
The burger: Blanc, smashburger, or fleamarket this is NOT. I ordered it medium and got it well done. It didn't quite pop in my mouth. Grass fed burger? It should have! Their homemade ketchup was quite bland. The garlic fries weren't too pleasing. I only ate a few. I tried to give away the rest, but few bit.
Booze: Got a stout with a funny name. I forget what, but it was $5 and was quite good. They also came around with free shots with some grand marnier, ginger something and something else. Wow! I was like, what do you call it? I guess the guy just concocted it that day.
Beergarden: Just great ambience with grape vines, tomato plants hanging, a shoe shine booth, etc. You get to enjoy the weather and your friends. Drawback: Smokers. The smoke really traveled and since I was recovering from the cold from hell, it made it difficult for me to talk and breathe :(
Yes, I will be back. However, only to drink and hang out with my friends. The food is just hit or miss and mostly miss :( -
9/21/2009
Great selection of beers. The owner came over and introduced himself and chatted with us. The wait staff was quite helpful as well.
We got a table in the beer garden, which had a nice ambiance. The inside is much larger than you'd expect. Even so, it was only about 1/3 full on a Thursday night.
The garlic fries were a special piece of heaven. AMAZING! The olives were good (watch out for the pits). They were out of sorbet, but I wanted a desert, so they made it from scratch for me lactose-free! Very impressive. Cater to the customers, right?
However, I wasn't so impressed with the other food that I tried:
Deviled eggs were gross. The chef needs to try a different recipe. The beef liver thing wasn't my taste, but then again, I'm not a liver fan. Others loved it.
Street parking. Cute neighborhood. Good times to hang out, chat and enjoy ourselves. We'll be back.
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 423-5241
CMYE- Give Matt the 5th Degree at The Foundry
Category:
Local Flavor
Neighborhood: Westport
However, what happens at a CMYE stays at a CMYE....
Thanks Matt for hosting us! I had such a good time meeting new people and seeing old faces. I'm looking forward to what the New Year brings in Yelpland.
I'm pleased to say that I WILL be returning to the Foundry and OFTEN, especially in the Spring when doggie can enjoy the ambiance of the patio with us.
I tried a bunch of their apps and LOVED THEM:
Lobster fried rice - YUMMY! Who needs that duck sauce anyhow?
Terriyaki chicken in leaf - This had quite a kick :)
Vegan pizza - For the lactose intolerant as myself, this was a little piece of heaven
I tried their locally brewed beer and thoroughly enjoyed the Oatmeal Stout. Very smooth :)
The staff was very friendly and kept our water and beer glasses filled and was thrilled to have us there.
The upstairs is quite cool to have a little party. They have a retro fireplace and "glass/globe" light fixture along with a raving plasma tv to watch sports on.
Also, if you were looking for the sink to wash your dirty hands after you do your deed in the restroom, don't look too far. Yes, there is a communal sink just outside. For those vain men in your party, they will be disappointed to NOT find a mirror in the men's room. I guess it's a good way to spot those who do NOT wash before you ask that cutie washing at the sink next to you for their number, right?
I can't wait to go back and also to go to more CMYE with Matt. I had a depressing week and at the end of the day, I was all smiles. Thank you!
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 233-4100
BaRa Sushi House
Categories:
Sushi Bars,
Japanese
Neighborhoods: Southeast Portland, Clinton, Hosford-Abernathy
With no one in line and the restaurant half empty, it took 2 servers and over 10 minutes to seat us. We had considered eating outside, but there were quite a few bugs flying around and we thought we'd get more attention inside. SO WRONG!
We ordered the spicy salmon, the chosen roll, tobiko, sweet egg, and spicy scallops. ANY of these orders were taking forever to come out, so the server gave us some edamame on the house (which was one of 2 best dishes of the evening). Well over 30 minutes after we placed our order, we noticed our neighbors (who had ordered before us) still waiting, too.
45 minutes after we ordered, the bulk of our order came out.
Now, if the sushi was some of the best we've ever had, I'd be rating it better. However, it was just OK. I enjoyed the egg and edamame the most. How could you screw that up right? The spicy scallops were as spicy as the name said. A bit overpowering actually as I couldn't taste anything else. The scallops (or pieces) were so small I had difficulty using chopsticks. I had to concede and ask for a spoon.
The servers were quite nice, but our waitress didn't come by to check on us often or to tell us the food will be out soon, etc. You'd think they'd get ONE roll to us first instead of bringing out most of it at once after waiting so long? How come it took so long to seat us?
It's a pretty sad day when I have to say that I had better in Kansas City :(
Mike gave us an hour + lesson in his 14 foot pool. We got to try the basic SCUBA equipment and got lots of time with Mike as the class was only 4 people.
The water was warm, the facility was nice, and Mike was very patient, friendly to talk to, and made the scary experience FUN! It was neat swimming underwater with the fins (required minimum effort) and being able to not worry too much about breathing.
If his facility was closer to home, I would strongly consider getting certified through him.
The pool area gets slippery, so beware!
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 497-1513
Veggie Galaxy
Categories:
American (New),
Vegetarian
Neighborhood: Central Square
I ordered the vegan Mac & Cheese and my wife ordered one of the vegan burgers. I enjoyed the Mac & Cheese, but not as much as the burger. We ended up eating half of each other's meal :) I sucked down a very large Strawberry and Banana frappe made with coconut milk and we shared half of a Chocolate Cream Pie that was vegan.
I LOVED the burger and the frappe was quite good. The mac and chese was good, but not incredible.
The staff was very friendly, attentive and several really seemed to be happy and proud of working here. It's easy to get here by T as they are right smack in Central Square. They can get busy, so a trick is to sit at the bar and they can move you if you wish. We'll be baaaaack :)
Egg drop soup (which someone put in shrimp in by accident and the party who ordered it ordered it, because it was seafood free), General Gau's (which was OK), veggie fried rice (not very tasty), beef terriyaki (a bit tough and not marinated well enough), Crab Rangoon, and Peking Ravioli.
The waiter was very apologetic about the soup and took it off our bill.
One of the positives of this place is the duck sauce, which is much more tastier than that pink yucky stuff that we get in the Midwest. Man, I missed that from Northeast Chinese food! The parking is very easy, too and off of Route 1. Also, the place is a good size and I can't see it having a line to get in.
This is the second time I've been here and I don't plan on coming back.
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Kansas City, MO
Yelping SinceAugust 2008
Things I Loveyelp, San Francisco, New England Patriots, ocean, work, New York City, driving, reading, travel, burgers, seafood, mexican, bbq, quincy, kansas city, cambridge, boston, susan, Sushi, Thai food
Find Me InOklahoma Joe's
My HometownNorth Easton, MA
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...Chasing after Susan N. Got to burn off the calories, SOMEHOW! Eating B4 chasing!
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI like my food and I expect good service dammit!
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadStrike Force by Dale Brown
My First ConcertHuey Lewis & the News (too bad it wasn't the nudes)
My Favorite MovieStar Wars
My Last Meal On EarthThai Food, Seafood, Steak tips, or just an amazing charcoal grilled burger.
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I've got a Yankees fan as a wife. SSSH. This is between us right? It's private
Most Recent DiscoveryI was on TV on Kansas City's show Check Please.
Current CrushDesperately seeking Susan
I thought this class would be a snoozer, but Jason had a way to bring everything alive. Got a question? Pipe in and ask it or stay after class to pick his brain as long as you want. He has tons of energy and explains it quite well. Though it was one 2 hour class, he was happy to help us in the future if we have followup questions, which was quite unusual.
Anyhow, this class was quite refreshing and I plan to take another class with him and tag along for some photo shoots. Now, I've got the courage to take the time to practice and use the program and manual modes more often, to get those crisp shots.
Thanks, Jason!