Around the BLOCK

2013 Food Truck Guide

Mary Bloch — Tue, 14 May 2013 01:31:23 +0000

The food truck scene in Kansas City is dynamic, and the options ever-increasing. Check out my guide and take your pick! http://www.kansascity.com/living/food/

Final Cut

Mary Bloch — Tue, 07 May 2013 02:08:34 +0000

Discard any preconceived notions you might have about eating dinner in a casino. I certainly had many, and after dining at the Final Cut steakhouse, I had to throw them all out the window..at least as far as the Hollywood Casino at the Kansas Speedway is concerned. The pictures on its website don’t do it [...]

First Taste: Louie’s Wine Dive

Mary Bloch — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:02:04 +0000

My first visit to Louie’s Wine Dive in Waldo was a very pleasant one. From the owners to the servers and bartenders, everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful, and they all wanted us to be happy with our experience. We were there on a Monday evening, during Happy Hour. I had heard that the noise [...]

Pork Particulars

Mary Bloch — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:00:40 +0000

At dinner last month, a friend asked me what “Duroc” on a menu meant. After I answered him (see below), I realized that though I wrote a post on pork breeds back in 2010, it’s still very much a current topic. With the Local Pig garnering so much press, and new butcher shops popping up around [...]

Providence New American Kitchen

Mary Bloch — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:12:42 +0000

Though I went to the opening of Providence New American Kitchen in the President Hotel, I hadn’t sat down to any meals there until last month. The first thing most people notice is that it’s beautifully appointed, but a bit rustic, with walls made of reclaimed wood and walls painted with earth tones. The second thing [...]

Latin Bistro Express: First Taste

Mary Bloch — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:58:42 +0000

Latin Bistro Express is the fast casual concept created by Chef Tito of Latin Bistro in North Kansas City. While the man himself was in the house the day I went through the food line, it was not as pleasant an experience as my visits to his bistro have been. And I’m talking just about [...]

La Choza in Santa Fe

Mary Bloch — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 02:47:23 +0000

La Choza is one of those restaurants I go to whenever I visit Santa Fe. Sister restaurant to The Shed, it serves more locals because of its off Plaza location near the Railyard District. The red chile sauce is some of the best in town, often considered second only to Mary & Tito’s in Albuquerque. [...]

Pig & Finch

Mary Bloch — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:55:24 +0000

Pig & Finch is the area’s latest gastropub, a term defined broadly to encompass a restaurant that has a pub-like atmosphere serving high-end beer and wine, paired with upscale comfort food. Pig & Finch is owned by the 801 Chophouse folks and is located next door to the 801 Chophouse in Park Place. Relatively sedate [...]

Webster House

Mary Bloch — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:37:47 +0000

Webster House’s second floor restaurant is not new. But its visibility has certainly increased since next-door neighbor, the Kauffman Performing Arts Center, opened in the fall of 2011. Originally open only for lunch and Happy Hour, the restaurant now also serves dinner Wednesday-Saturday, brunch on Sunday, and the occasional late night for performance-goers. Chef Matt [...]

Harvest Kale Salad

Mary Bloch — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:50:20 +0000

Even if you haven’t decided to jump on the kale bandwagon, give this recipe a try. It’s full of nutrients and it tastes great. I’ve made it twice and I learned something each time. 1. It’s best made early in the day, as the flavors need time to meld together before serving. 2. Don’t toss [...]