$ Cheap - Under $10 per Person
$$ Inexpensive - Under $20 per Person
$$$ Moderate - Under $30 per Person
$$$$ Expensive - $30 and Up per Person
GERMAN RESTAURANTS
Der Essen Platz ... A Taste of Bavaria in Central Missouri
Der Essen Platz
Bridal Cave Road Camdenton, MO 65020
(573) 346-1122
http://deressenplatz.com/
$$
If visiting the Lake of the Ozarks, as far as restaurants are concerned, I highly recommend a trip back to Camdenton and Der Essen Platz (German for “the Eating Place”) for some excellent and affordable German fare.
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INDIAN RESTAURANTS
A Taste of India in the Northland of Kansas City ...
Lunch Buffet 7 Days a Week
Mon- Fri 11.00 to 2.30
Sat- Sun 11.30 TO 3.00
Dinner
Mon - Sat 5.00 to 10.00
Sun 5.00 to 9.00
Saffron Indian restaurant Northland Hindu Indian India papadum rogan josh curry pasanda lamb dal raita vegetarian lamb dal raita spicy vindaloo nan sag paneer spinach cheese kabuli bread ala carte
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ITALIAN RESTAURANTS
Cafe Italia in Parkville Gets a Second Chance...Much Better As Time Goes On!
Cafe Italia
160 English Landing Drive
Parkville, MO 64152
816-584-0607
Website:
http://cafeitalia2.com/
$$
Read more reviews by CombatCritic at http://www.CombatCritic.blogspot.com
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Cascone's Italian Restaurant - Excellent, Consistent American-Style Italian Food, Enormous Portions at Affordable Prices
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 454-7977
www.Cascones.com
I am an Italian-American, was raised by first generation immigrants from the hills between Napoli (Naples) and Bari on the Adriatic Sea, lived in Italy for three years on assignment with the U.S. Air Force, and married an Italian (Sicilian to be precise), so we travel there often to see family and enjoy the wonderful cuisine.
Traditional Italian food (in the old country) only resembles what we call "Italian" here and you have not lived until you have eaten a traditional Italian meal...in Italy. Dinner in Italy normally does not start until 9PM and rarely ends before midnight. Starting with the antipasto, you may have assorted fresh meats and cheeses, prosciutto e melone (cured Italian ham from Parma and melone which is Italian cantaloupe - a traditional antipasto during the warm summer months), or, my favorite, insalata caprese (fresh buffalo mozzarella with bright red tomato slices drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and topped with fresh basil leaves). Fresh homemade bread always accompanies your meal, but you may be charged a "coperto" (cover) of one or two euros for the bread and place setting. Primo (or the first dish) is next and usually consists of soup or pasta, an infinite variety of freshly made pastas mixed with an equally infinite number of sauce combinations. All the while, you sip bottled water (with or without gas...bubbles) and some of the most delicious wines in the world, usually locally made, if not on the premises. Next comes the secondo (or main dish), usually meat or fish, simply prepared and accompanied by contorni (vegetables, potatoes, and salad...yes, salad comes with the main dish, not before your meal). Italians would never think of eating pasta and meat (or fish) on the same plate, so the traditions you see in the U.S. (e.g. Olive Garden...excuse me while a vomit a little in my mouth) DEFINITELY did not originate in Italy. Finally, a digestivo, a liquor such as grappa, amaretto, or, my favorite, limoncello, is served before cafe (what you call espresso (cappuccino is never drunk after morning and is considered a woman's drink) and dolce (dessert), usually something simple like fruit and cheese or biscotti (cookies).
My wife and I have been going to Cascone's for three years and have never had a bad meal. Some were not as good as others were, but never bad. My Sicilian spouse has grown accustomed to the American version and, even though untraditional (in her eyes anyway), Cascone's is one of her favorites. Strong praise indeed from an Italian citizen.
We inevitably arrive on Sunday evening and the soup selection (all entrees come with soup or salad and a loaf of fresh baked bread) is very limited, rather predictable, and mostly boring..chicken of one sort or another with noodles or rice.
The salad with the house dressing (an olive oil and vinaigrette) is always good, but inconsistent. Sometimes you get olives, artichoke heart, and croutons, sometimes not. I order the blue cheese crumbles on the side and get a twist of fresh cracked pepper. Very good salad and the great bread makes up for the lack of consistency in ingredients (croutons for example).
The antipasto selection is limited and non-traditional, including the "Italian Nachos" a huge concoction that looks filling, but not appetizing. With the size of the entrees and the soup/salad, you will not need an antipasto anyway. If you do, get the steamed artichoke (when it is in-season) and share it with your guest.
I love veal and their veal parmigiana is superb. Pounded thin, lightly breaded, and pan fried, you get two large escallops on a bed of spaghetti (I order the mastacioli instead, a type of large penne). I do not like that the meat covers the pasta and inevitably have to dig the pasta out to scrape enough sauce together to cover the mastacioli, sometimes having to ask for extra marinara to cover the white bits. The servers are skimpy on the hand grated parmigianno-reggiano cheese, so I usually have them fill up my bread plate and scatter the cheese as I see fit.
I have had the veal marsala and it is not like any marsala dish I have ever tried. They use green (bell) peppers and onions in addition to the more traditional mushrooms, a combination that does not quite work with a delicate marsala sauce. I would not bother if I were you.
The chicken spedieni is very good and bountiful, but everything comes with pasta and RED sauce, so if you want alfredo or olive oil and garlic, which would be more appropriate, be prepared to pay extra.
The pasta dishes are good and my wife usually orders the tortelonni Savina Maria, large shells stuffed with veal and cheese in a white sauce with mushrooms, peas, and pieces of prosciutto (cannot tell if it is cotto or crudo). It is very good and enough for one very hungry person of two light eaters (be prepared to be charged if you share, they charge for everything not priced on the menu). She also likes the Pasta Asiago, bowtie pasta in a crème sauce with broccoli and mushrooms (and chicken if you want to pay extra). The Pasta Asiago comes with tomatoes, but my wife is intolerant to tomatoes (can you believe it, an Italian woman that does not eat tomatoes, drink wine, or cook!)
I have never had room for dessert, but the choices are traditional and look good so go for it if you have room.
The wine list (and menu) change as often my brother's underwear, so do not become too attached to any particular maker or vintage. The house wines are pretty good and come in various varieties and at $6 per glass, are a relative bargain.
As I said, we have been going to Cascone's practically every Sinday for three years, so you would think the wait staff would know us by name by now. They do not. The receptionist is quite friendly and knows us by face, but do not expect to be called by name by any of the staff, no matter how long you have been going there. Service is friendly enough and things get done on time (mostly), but they do not chit chat and seem to care less who you are. After all, I am there for food and companionship with my tablemates, not to make friends with the wait staff.
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Parkville, Missouri - Cafe Italia Re-Opens in Historic Parkville After Two-Year Hiatus
Cafe Italia
160 English Landing Drive
Parkville, MO 64152
816-584-0607
Website:
http://cafeitalia2.com/
$$
There being a shortage of non-chain Italian restaurants in the Northland, Cafe Italia in Parkville didn't let us down. The atmosphere is sparse, but modern with a touch of elegance as opposed to their old locaton on North Oak. The menu was missing one of my favorites from the old location, vitello saltimbocca (veal saltimbocca). We started with wine, Canyon Road Cabernet ($22/bottle) from the limited wine list. Prices by the glass are reasonable, from $6-$7.50/glass.
We started with a stuffed artichoke, while tasty, and hot, was too "cheesy" and drenched in olive oil. A bit disappointing, but my standards are high because I learned an excellent stuffed artichoke recipe form my grandmother who was born in the Irpino region of Italy. We both had the ceasar salad which was excellent, the only problem being the very large (but delicious) croutons that had to be eaten by hand because they were too hard to cut into pieces. My wife, an Italian citizen, had ravioli con funghi, stuffed with chicken, prosciutto, and capicolo in a mushroom sauce. The taste was excellent, but the pasta was too "al dente". Being Italian, she is hard to please when it comes to Italian food, but enjoyed her meal very much. I had the vitello alla parmigiana which was tasty, but a little tough for "milkfed veal" which was advertized on the menu. The color and texture seemed more like sliced beef to me, but it was tasty and resonaby priced, veal or beef.
The size of the portions was generous, so we had to pass on dessert. The owners stopped by to talk and one's family is originally from the same area of Sicily where my wife was born, so they were able to speak in Italian about their shared heritage. Overall, we had a nice meal, the service was very good, and we will return soon to see if any of the problems noted above have been taken care of. After all, they have only been open for two weeks!
CombatCritic gives Cafe Italia 6 out of 10 BOMBS:
Menu:
http://www.cafeitalia2.com/user/web-storage/webstorage1/menu.pdf
"Our family is first and second generation Italian American. Our heritage is laced in a rich culture of food and wine. Most of the family hails from Sicily, the southern most state in Italy. The food we bring to you at Cafe Italia strongly represents this Sicilian influence, especially in the rich red sauces and spicy pasta dishes we serve."
... Cafe Italia
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MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
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Rancho Grande Cantina (Liberty)
Like Its Parkville Sibling, Rancho Grande, Liberty, Has Consistent, Tasty, Inexpensive Mexican Food
$
Rancho Grande Cantina (Liberty)
RANCHOGRANDECANTINA.COM
We have never had issues with the service. Even though we seem to get a different server every week, we have gotten to know a few and they are always prompt and friendly. There is usually a short wait, particularly on Friday and Saturday night, but rarely have we had to wait more than 20 minutes. It is a bit busy, noisy, confusing, and hectic, but the noise adds to the atmosphere.
Once seated, you immediately receive a basket of fresh made chips and salsa (you have to ask for the "hot" version) and your server arrives shortly thereafter. The margaritas are excellent, at $5 per glass or $20 for a pitcher ($12 for a small), coming frozen or on the rocks. They are potent, so bring a designated driver if you plan to have more than one!
The guacamole is excellent and consistent, although I have to add a little salt each time and the portions seem to get smaller all the time, but still worth the price ($4.95). The chili con queso is also very good, but a full order is too big for two of us, so we usually get a small order. Quesadillas are very good and come with all the trimmings, but a little overpriced for a bit of cheese and tortillas.
Rancho Grande makes the second best restaurant tacos I have had in the U.S.. The shells are not pre-made, they are very fresh and deep fried for every order. You can only get ground beef with the hard shells and they come with lettuce and cheese. I usually save a little guacamole for my tacos or add some of my wife's pico di gallo to spice them up, but they are good alone. You can order a side of guacamole for less than $2, so go that route if you do not order an appetizer.
The enchiladas are excellent, smothered in red sauce and cheddar cheese. I usually order two, one shredded beef and one cheese and onion. Like everything else, the portions are large and the enchiladas tasty.
The chimichangas are HUGE, so come hungry and everything (except ala carte) comes with rice and beans, which are also tasty. The fajitas are also excellent and filling, coming in beef, chicken, or shrimp. Wednesday's are "fajita night" and are a real value at $8.95, so if you like fajitas, Wednesday is your night!
The only disappointments I have had are the carnitas tacos. Carnitas do not come in a plate with accompaniments and tortillas like most places, they only come pre-wrapped in a tortilla (for a good reason). They are skimpy on the meat and the pork looks like it is boiled, not "slow-roasted" as is the case in most places. Pass on the carnitas!
In all, Rancho Grande in Liberty is an excellent choice for quality American-Mexican food with large portions at a reasonable price. Enjoy!
CombatCritic gives Rancho Grande Cantina in Liberty 7 out of 10 BOMBS...Bombs are good!
Urban Spoon - Kansas City
Surprisingly Good for a Chain .... On The Border - Barry Rd.
8340 NW Roanridge Rd.
$$ Inexpensive - Under $20 per Person
$$$ Moderate - Under $30 per Person
$$$$ Expensive - $30 and Up per Person
GERMAN RESTAURANTS
Der Essen Platz ... A Taste of Bavaria in Central Missouri
Der Essen Platz
Bridal Cave Road Camdenton, MO 65020
(573) 346-1122
http://deressenplatz.com/
$$
If visiting the Lake of the Ozarks, as far as restaurants are concerned, I highly recommend a trip back to Camdenton and Der Essen Platz (German for “the Eating Place”) for some excellent and affordable German fare.
They have a small, but affordable wine and beer list, and the food is excellent. I started with the Weihenstephaner Korbinian Dopple Bock ($6.50 - .5 litre), a dark, rich, robust beer with hints of chocolate and coffee, it was excellent.
The soups are very good and homemade. I tried the German tomato soup which was better than most tomato soups, but nothing I would order again. The schnitzel dishes are amazing. I had the schnitzel cordon bleu (pork cordon bleu – two breaded cutlets with ham and cheese in the middle, then baked and covered with a cream mushroom sauce) and my wife had the Jaegerschnitzel (pork cutlet served with Hunter’s Sauce, a savory brown gravy made with Jaegermeister and mushrooms).
Dinners are accompanied by soup or salad, warm homemade bread, and vegetables, potatoes, or spaetzel (a German potato dish similar to gnocchi only smaller). The Bavarian wheat loaf is homemade and delicious, so do not be too shy to ask for another! I also tried the German potato pancakes with hunter sauce (normally they come with applesauce, but I prefer the savory pancake with gravy).
Unfortunately, we were so full by the time dinner was over, we did not have time for dessert, but I am sure they are amazing as well. Owners Noelle (the chef) and Daniel (front of house) are warm, friendly, and helpful, so do not be afraid to ask questions. And do n ot forget the view over one branch of the expansive Lake of the Ozarks, a romantic setting for a special occasion or a weekend dinner … Guten Appetit!
Lake of the Ozarks Camdenton Der Essen Platz German Weihenstephaner Korbinian Dopple Bock schnitzel pork cordon bleu cutlet Jaegermeister spaetzel Bavarian wheat loaf German potato pancakes hunter
Lake of the Ozarks Camdenton Der Essen Platz German Weihenstephaner Korbinian Dopple Bock schnitzel pork cordon bleu cutlet Jaegermeister spaetzel Bavarian wheat loaf German potato pancakes hunter
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INDIAN RESTAURANTS
A Taste of India in the Northland of Kansas City ...
Saffron Authentic Indian Cuisine
8140 NW Prairie View Road
Kansas City, MO 64152
Phone: 816.505.5576
Fax: 816.505.5586
Website: www.saffronindianfood.com
Saffron is a new, excellent Indian restaurant with a family atmosphere in the Northland just south of Zona Rosa.
Lamb Vindaloo |
In a strip mall off I-29 near Barry Road, it does not look like much from the outside. Looks can be surprising because the interior is clean and tastefuly, although sparsely, decorated.
The staff welcomes you warmly and quickly, providing a menu that is almost overwhelming. There are far too many options to choose from, but based on our experience, you will not be disappointed no matter the choice. Vegetarian, chicken, and lamb options dominate the menu. You will not find beef here because India is a predominantly Hindu nation and cows are sacred...SO YOU CANNOT EAT THEM!
The dishes are well prepared and presented, offering reasonable quantities at less than reasonable prices. Not extremely overpriced, the restaurant was empty at 8PM in a Friday night, so shaving a few dollars of the completely ala carte menu would probably draw more customers.
Sag Paneer |
Our hostess and server was delightful, dressed in traditional Indian fashion and an accent to match. She quickly took our order, asking if we had any questions. Having lived in England for three years while in the military, I became quite familiar with Indian cuisine, so we did not need the help. She brought the traditional papadum (crispy spiced lentil wafers) accompanied by two relishes, one green and one red. I ordered the lamb vindaloo combination plate ($18.99 – lamb rogan josh, a classic curry, and pasanda, served in a mild walnut cream sauce, were other options), including a generous copper bowl of lamb vindaloo (lamb and potato in a spicy sauce) accompanied by dal (a lentil stew), raita (a creamy sauce similar to Greek Tzatziki used to temper the spiciness if desired), and nan (traditional handmade, baked flatbread). My wife, preferring vegetarian dishes and not a fan of lamb in particular, had the sag paneer ($11.99), a copper tureen of creamed spinach baked with chunks of white farmers cheese inside.
Classic Nan Bread |
My combination plate was delicious and a fair value for the amount and quality of the food. It could have been priced a dollar or two less if they hope to generate more business, but I was not disappointed. The vindaloo was delicious although the chunks of lamb were not abundant, the dal was a little dry, but delicious, the raita was creamy and a nice compliment to the spicy vindaloo, and the nan bread scrumptious. The sag paneer was also delicious and plentiful, but at $11.99 ala carte, quite a bit overpriced for some creamed spinach, a few chunks of cheese, and spices. We ordered the kabuli bread ($3.99) for my wife, a leavened bread stuffed with nuts, cherries, raisins, and coconut, which was tasty, but a little to sweet for a main course accompaniment. There are 13 bread choices, so I think we will pick a more savory option next time if ordering ala carte.
In all, the meal was delightful even if they have not received their liquor license yet, beer and vindaloo were born for each other, but staff says they should have it "any day".
CombatCritic gives Saffron a fair 5 out of 10 BOMBS ... more bombs are good ... leaving room for improvement in the decor, pricing, and liquor options.
HOURS
Mon- Fri 11.00 to 2.30
Sat- Sun 11.30 TO 3.00
Dinner
Mon - Sat 5.00 to 10.00
Sun 5.00 to 9.00
Saffron Indian restaurant Northland Hindu Indian India papadum rogan josh curry pasanda lamb dal raita vegetarian lamb dal raita spicy vindaloo nan sag paneer spinach cheese kabuli bread ala carte
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ITALIAN RESTAURANTS
Cafe Italia in Parkville Gets a Second Chance...Much Better As Time Goes On!
Cafe Italia
160 English Landing Drive
Parkville, MO 64152
816-584-0607
Website:
http://cafeitalia2.com/
$$
We returned to the NEW Cafe Italia in Parkville last November. Because they had only been open a few weeks, it was obvious they had some “bugs” to work out (not literally, thankfully). We returned on January 21st, 2012 and were pleasantly surprised by the changes.
The atmosphere is sparse with few furnishings, but modern and warm with a touch of elegance as opposed to their old locaton on North Oak. The menu was still missing one of my favorites, vitello saltimbocca, but Paulo, the owner, promised he would have it made for me next time we came. My wife is Italian, born in Sicily, so she and Paulo share a common family heritage site and Paulo speaks decent Italian, so my wife enjoyed the conversation.
Again, we started with wine from the limited wine list, with prices being reasonable, from $6-$7.50/glass. We decided to forego the stuffed artichoke which, while tasty, and hot, was much too "cheesy" and drenched in olive oil on our first visit. My wife surprised me and instead of having the ravioli con funghi again (stuffed with chicken, prosciutto, and capicolo in a mushroom crème sauce), she had the vitello picatta, veal medallions with capers and mushrooms in a white wine and lemon reduction, which was excellent. I had the vitello marsala (veal cutlets covered with a marsala wine and mushroom sauce), rather than the vitello alla parmigiana which I had last time. The veal was very good, but a little thick and tough for my liking. Paul told me that he prefers not to “pound” the veal as is normally done with these dishes and I have to respect his choice although I would do otherwise. I also prefer to have my veal lightly battered before being sautéed, another missing step as far as I was concerned. The dish was excellent and the sauce perfect, even if Café Italia chooses to do it differently than I like.
Again, we were too full for dessert. We plan on making a return visit on Valentine’s Day, so we will have to save room for dessert and try the tiramisu!
CombatCritic Upgrades Café Italia (Parkville, MO) from 6 Bombs to 7 Bombs (“Bombs”, in this case, are good)
CombatCritic
Read more reviews by CombatCritic at http://www.CombatCritic.blogspot.com
Cascone's Italian Restaurant - Excellent, Consistent American-Style Italian Food, Enormous Portions at Affordable Prices
Cascone's (North Oak)
3733 North Oak TrafficwayKansas City, MO 64116
(816) 454-7977
$$
I am an Italian-American, was raised by first generation immigrants from the hills between Napoli (Naples) and Bari on the Adriatic Sea, lived in Italy for three years on assignment with the U.S. Air Force, and married an Italian (Sicilian to be precise), so we travel there often to see family and enjoy the wonderful cuisine.
Traditional Italian food (in the old country) only resembles what we call "Italian" here and you have not lived until you have eaten a traditional Italian meal...in Italy. Dinner in Italy normally does not start until 9PM and rarely ends before midnight. Starting with the antipasto, you may have assorted fresh meats and cheeses, prosciutto e melone (cured Italian ham from Parma and melone which is Italian cantaloupe - a traditional antipasto during the warm summer months), or, my favorite, insalata caprese (fresh buffalo mozzarella with bright red tomato slices drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and topped with fresh basil leaves). Fresh homemade bread always accompanies your meal, but you may be charged a "coperto" (cover) of one or two euros for the bread and place setting. Primo (or the first dish) is next and usually consists of soup or pasta, an infinite variety of freshly made pastas mixed with an equally infinite number of sauce combinations. All the while, you sip bottled water (with or without gas...bubbles) and some of the most delicious wines in the world, usually locally made, if not on the premises. Next comes the secondo (or main dish), usually meat or fish, simply prepared and accompanied by contorni (vegetables, potatoes, and salad...yes, salad comes with the main dish, not before your meal). Italians would never think of eating pasta and meat (or fish) on the same plate, so the traditions you see in the U.S. (e.g. Olive Garden...excuse me while a vomit a little in my mouth) DEFINITELY did not originate in Italy. Finally, a digestivo, a liquor such as grappa, amaretto, or, my favorite, limoncello, is served before cafe (what you call espresso (cappuccino is never drunk after morning and is considered a woman's drink) and dolce (dessert), usually something simple like fruit and cheese or biscotti (cookies).
My wife and I have been going to Cascone's for three years and have never had a bad meal. Some were not as good as others were, but never bad. My Sicilian spouse has grown accustomed to the American version and, even though untraditional (in her eyes anyway), Cascone's is one of her favorites. Strong praise indeed from an Italian citizen.
We inevitably arrive on Sunday evening and the soup selection (all entrees come with soup or salad and a loaf of fresh baked bread) is very limited, rather predictable, and mostly boring..chicken of one sort or another with noodles or rice.
The salad with the house dressing (an olive oil and vinaigrette) is always good, but inconsistent. Sometimes you get olives, artichoke heart, and croutons, sometimes not. I order the blue cheese crumbles on the side and get a twist of fresh cracked pepper. Very good salad and the great bread makes up for the lack of consistency in ingredients (croutons for example).
The antipasto selection is limited and non-traditional, including the "Italian Nachos" a huge concoction that looks filling, but not appetizing. With the size of the entrees and the soup/salad, you will not need an antipasto anyway. If you do, get the steamed artichoke (when it is in-season) and share it with your guest.
I love veal and their veal parmigiana is superb. Pounded thin, lightly breaded, and pan fried, you get two large escallops on a bed of spaghetti (I order the mastacioli instead, a type of large penne). I do not like that the meat covers the pasta and inevitably have to dig the pasta out to scrape enough sauce together to cover the mastacioli, sometimes having to ask for extra marinara to cover the white bits. The servers are skimpy on the hand grated parmigianno-reggiano cheese, so I usually have them fill up my bread plate and scatter the cheese as I see fit.
I have had the veal marsala and it is not like any marsala dish I have ever tried. They use green (bell) peppers and onions in addition to the more traditional mushrooms, a combination that does not quite work with a delicate marsala sauce. I would not bother if I were you.
The chicken spedieni is very good and bountiful, but everything comes with pasta and RED sauce, so if you want alfredo or olive oil and garlic, which would be more appropriate, be prepared to pay extra.
The pasta dishes are good and my wife usually orders the tortelonni Savina Maria, large shells stuffed with veal and cheese in a white sauce with mushrooms, peas, and pieces of prosciutto (cannot tell if it is cotto or crudo). It is very good and enough for one very hungry person of two light eaters (be prepared to be charged if you share, they charge for everything not priced on the menu). She also likes the Pasta Asiago, bowtie pasta in a crème sauce with broccoli and mushrooms (and chicken if you want to pay extra). The Pasta Asiago comes with tomatoes, but my wife is intolerant to tomatoes (can you believe it, an Italian woman that does not eat tomatoes, drink wine, or cook!)
I have never had room for dessert, but the choices are traditional and look good so go for it if you have room.
The wine list (and menu) change as often my brother's underwear, so do not become too attached to any particular maker or vintage. The house wines are pretty good and come in various varieties and at $6 per glass, are a relative bargain.
As I said, we have been going to Cascone's practically every Sinday for three years, so you would think the wait staff would know us by name by now. They do not. The receptionist is quite friendly and knows us by face, but do not expect to be called by name by any of the staff, no matter how long you have been going there. Service is friendly enough and things get done on time (mostly), but they do not chit chat and seem to care less who you are. After all, I am there for food and companionship with my tablemates, not to make friends with the wait staff.
CombatCritic gives Cascone's (North Oak) 7 out of 1o BOMBS
BOMBS in this case are good!
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Parkville, Missouri - Cafe Italia Re-Opens in Historic Parkville After Two-Year Hiatus
Cafe Italia
160 English Landing Drive
Parkville, MO 64152
816-584-0607
Website:
http://cafeitalia2.com/
$$
There being a shortage of non-chain Italian restaurants in the Northland, Cafe Italia in Parkville didn't let us down. The atmosphere is sparse, but modern with a touch of elegance as opposed to their old locaton on North Oak. The menu was missing one of my favorites from the old location, vitello saltimbocca (veal saltimbocca). We started with wine, Canyon Road Cabernet ($22/bottle) from the limited wine list. Prices by the glass are reasonable, from $6-$7.50/glass.
The size of the portions was generous, so we had to pass on dessert. The owners stopped by to talk and one's family is originally from the same area of Sicily where my wife was born, so they were able to speak in Italian about their shared heritage. Overall, we had a nice meal, the service was very good, and we will return soon to see if any of the problems noted above have been taken care of. After all, they have only been open for two weeks!
CombatCritic gives Cafe Italia 6 out of 10 BOMBS:
Menu:
http://www.cafeitalia2.com/user/web-storage/webstorage1/menu.pdf
"Our family is first and second generation Italian American. Our heritage is laced in a rich culture of food and wine. Most of the family hails from Sicily, the southern most state in Italy. The food we bring to you at Cafe Italia strongly represents this Sicilian influence, especially in the rich red sauces and spicy pasta dishes we serve."
... Cafe Italia
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MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
Rancho Grande Cantina - Consistent, Tasty, Inexpensive Mexican Fare
$
Rancho Grande Cantina
(816) 505-9097
11015 NW Hwy 45
Parkville,MO 64152
RANCHOGRANDECANTINA.COM
Rancho Grande in Parkville is a weekly staple in our house. Yes, of course it is Americanized Mexican, but we are in America after all. If you have a craving for inexpensive, quality food, this is the place. I have been a customer for over three years and continue to go back week after week!
We have never had issues with the service. Even though we seem to get a different server every week, we have gotten to know a few and they are always prompt and friendly. There is usually a short wait, particularly on Friday and Saturday night, but rarely have we had to wait more than 20 minutes. It is a bit busy, noisy, confusing, and hectic, but the noise adds to the atmosphere.
Once seated, you immediately receive a basket of fresh made chips and salsa (you have to ask for the "hot" version) and your server arrives shortly thereafter. The margaritas are excellent, at $5 per glass or $20 for a pitcher ($12 for a small), coming frozen or on the rocks. They are potent, so bring a designated driver if you plan to have more than one!
The guacamole is very good and consistent, although I have to add a little salt each time and the portions seem to get smaller all the time, but still worth the price ($4.95). The chili con queso is also very good, but a full order is too big for two of us, so we usually get a small order. Quesadillas are tasty and come with all the trimmings, but a little overpriced ($7.95) for a bit of cheese and tortillas.
Rancho Grande makes the second best restaurant tacos I have had in the U.S.. The shells are not pre-made, they are very fresh and deep fried for every order. You can only get ground beef with the hard shells and they come with lettuce and cheese. I usually save a little guacamole for my tacos or add some of my wife's pico di gallo to spice them up, but they are good alone. You can order a side of guacamole for less than $2, so go that route if you do not order an appetizer.
The enchiladas are excellent, smothered in red sauce and cheddar cheese. I usually order two, one shredded beef and one cheese and onion. Like everything else, the portions are large and the enchiladas tasty.
The chimichangas are HUGE, so come hungry and everything (except ala carte) comes with rice and beans, which are also tasty. The fajitas are also excellent and filling, coming in beef, chicken, or shrimp. Wednesday's are "fajita night" and are a real value at $8.95, so if you like fajitas, Wednesday is your night!
The only disappointments, as far s food is concerned, I have had are the carnitas tacos. Carnitas do not come in a plate with accompaniments and tortillas like most places, they only come pre-wrapped in a tortilla (for a good reason). They are skimpy on the meat and the pork looks like it is boiled, not "slow-roasted" as is the case in most places. Pass on the carnitas.
Even though we eat there very week, most of the staff barely recognize us and nobody has any idea what are names are. Temira, a native-American server with a Hebrew name (meaning "tall"), is one of the few that bother to give us the time of day. She is beautiful and kind, giving personalized service where most of her peers fail. Having been dedicated and consistent customers for five years, I would expect more from a restaurant where we literally spend thousands of dollars a year. There are a few servers that stop to say hello, but the busboys know us better than any of them, making sure to bring the "hot" salsa when we arrive. If the rest of the staff were as attentive as them, we would feel like royalty, a not so terrible thing considering our loyalty to the establishment.
In all, Rancho Grande in Parkville is an excellent choice for quality, consistent American-Mexican food with large portions at a reasonable price. Enjoy!
CombatCritic gives Rancho Grande Cantina in Parkville 7 out of 10 BOMBS...Bombs are good!
$
Rancho Grande Cantina
(816) 505-9097
11015 NW Hwy 45
Parkville,MO 64152
RANCHOGRANDECANTINA.COM
Rancho Grande in Parkville is a weekly staple in our house. Yes, of course it is Americanized Mexican, but we are in America after all. If you have a craving for inexpensive, quality food, this is the place. I have been a customer for over three years and continue to go back week after week!
We have never had issues with the service. Even though we seem to get a different server every week, we have gotten to know a few and they are always prompt and friendly. There is usually a short wait, particularly on Friday and Saturday night, but rarely have we had to wait more than 20 minutes. It is a bit busy, noisy, confusing, and hectic, but the noise adds to the atmosphere.
Once seated, you immediately receive a basket of fresh made chips and salsa (you have to ask for the "hot" version) and your server arrives shortly thereafter. The margaritas are excellent, at $5 per glass or $20 for a pitcher ($12 for a small), coming frozen or on the rocks. They are potent, so bring a designated driver if you plan to have more than one!
The guacamole is very good and consistent, although I have to add a little salt each time and the portions seem to get smaller all the time, but still worth the price ($4.95). The chili con queso is also very good, but a full order is too big for two of us, so we usually get a small order. Quesadillas are tasty and come with all the trimmings, but a little overpriced ($7.95) for a bit of cheese and tortillas.
Rancho Grande makes the second best restaurant tacos I have had in the U.S.. The shells are not pre-made, they are very fresh and deep fried for every order. You can only get ground beef with the hard shells and they come with lettuce and cheese. I usually save a little guacamole for my tacos or add some of my wife's pico di gallo to spice them up, but they are good alone. You can order a side of guacamole for less than $2, so go that route if you do not order an appetizer.
The enchiladas are excellent, smothered in red sauce and cheddar cheese. I usually order two, one shredded beef and one cheese and onion. Like everything else, the portions are large and the enchiladas tasty.
The chimichangas are HUGE, so come hungry and everything (except ala carte) comes with rice and beans, which are also tasty. The fajitas are also excellent and filling, coming in beef, chicken, or shrimp. Wednesday's are "fajita night" and are a real value at $8.95, so if you like fajitas, Wednesday is your night!
The only disappointments, as far s food is concerned, I have had are the carnitas tacos. Carnitas do not come in a plate with accompaniments and tortillas like most places, they only come pre-wrapped in a tortilla (for a good reason). They are skimpy on the meat and the pork looks like it is boiled, not "slow-roasted" as is the case in most places. Pass on the carnitas.
Even though we eat there very week, most of the staff barely recognize us and nobody has any idea what are names are. Temira, a native-American server with a Hebrew name (meaning "tall"), is one of the few that bother to give us the time of day. She is beautiful and kind, giving personalized service where most of her peers fail. Having been dedicated and consistent customers for five years, I would expect more from a restaurant where we literally spend thousands of dollars a year. There are a few servers that stop to say hello, but the busboys know us better than any of them, making sure to bring the "hot" salsa when we arrive. If the rest of the staff were as attentive as them, we would feel like royalty, a not so terrible thing considering our loyalty to the establishment.
In all, Rancho Grande in Parkville is an excellent choice for quality, consistent American-Mexican food with large portions at a reasonable price. Enjoy!
CombatCritic gives Rancho Grande Cantina in Parkville 7 out of 10 BOMBS...Bombs are good!
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Rancho Grande Cantina (Liberty)
Like Its Parkville Sibling, Rancho Grande, Liberty, Has Consistent, Tasty, Inexpensive Mexican Food
$
Rancho Grande Cantina (Liberty)
RANCHOGRANDECANTINA.COM
Rancho Grande in Liberty was a staple for me during my first four months in Kansas City. Yes, of course it is Americanized Mexican, but we are in America after all. If you have a craving for inexpensive, quality food, this is the place.
We have never had issues with the service. Even though we seem to get a different server every week, we have gotten to know a few and they are always prompt and friendly. There is usually a short wait, particularly on Friday and Saturday night, but rarely have we had to wait more than 20 minutes. It is a bit busy, noisy, confusing, and hectic, but the noise adds to the atmosphere.
Once seated, you immediately receive a basket of fresh made chips and salsa (you have to ask for the "hot" version) and your server arrives shortly thereafter. The margaritas are excellent, at $5 per glass or $20 for a pitcher ($12 for a small), coming frozen or on the rocks. They are potent, so bring a designated driver if you plan to have more than one!
The guacamole is excellent and consistent, although I have to add a little salt each time and the portions seem to get smaller all the time, but still worth the price ($4.95). The chili con queso is also very good, but a full order is too big for two of us, so we usually get a small order. Quesadillas are very good and come with all the trimmings, but a little overpriced for a bit of cheese and tortillas.
Rancho Grande makes the second best restaurant tacos I have had in the U.S.. The shells are not pre-made, they are very fresh and deep fried for every order. You can only get ground beef with the hard shells and they come with lettuce and cheese. I usually save a little guacamole for my tacos or add some of my wife's pico di gallo to spice them up, but they are good alone. You can order a side of guacamole for less than $2, so go that route if you do not order an appetizer.
The enchiladas are excellent, smothered in red sauce and cheddar cheese. I usually order two, one shredded beef and one cheese and onion. Like everything else, the portions are large and the enchiladas tasty.
The chimichangas are HUGE, so come hungry and everything (except ala carte) comes with rice and beans, which are also tasty. The fajitas are also excellent and filling, coming in beef, chicken, or shrimp. Wednesday's are "fajita night" and are a real value at $8.95, so if you like fajitas, Wednesday is your night!
The only disappointments I have had are the carnitas tacos. Carnitas do not come in a plate with accompaniments and tortillas like most places, they only come pre-wrapped in a tortilla (for a good reason). They are skimpy on the meat and the pork looks like it is boiled, not "slow-roasted" as is the case in most places. Pass on the carnitas!
In all, Rancho Grande in Liberty is an excellent choice for quality American-Mexican food with large portions at a reasonable price. Enjoy!
CombatCritic gives Rancho Grande Cantina in Liberty 7 out of 10 BOMBS...Bombs are good!
Urban Spoon - Kansas City
__________________________________________________________________
Surprisingly Good for a Chain .... On The Border - Barry Rd.
8340 NW Roanridge Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64151
Website: OnTheBorder.com
Phone: 816-759-2270
Price: $$
I usually do not review chain restaurants, but I was pleasantly surprised on a recent visit to On The Border, a Mexican restaurant chain found many places across the country.
I decided to go because I was havin' a hankerin' for tacos that evening and recalled hearing the TV commercial about their "Endless Tacos". I am not usually a fan of "all you can eat" restaurants and promotions because I tend to to just that ... eat all I can...AND MORE!
It was a Saturday night and the place was packed, but only had to wait ten minutes for a table. I was greeted by Kelsie, a lovely and personable young lady who just graduated from Northwest Missouri State and is planning on becoming a registered nurse...BRAVO Kelsie!
I ordered a house margarita, the Guacamole Viva!, and Endless Tacos, but being rather busy it took ten minutes or so to get my margarita. It was tasty enough, but a little "light" on alcohol for the price.
Kelsie arrived shortly thereafter with my Guacamole Viva! which she prepared tableside with two ripe avocados, a little salt, fresh cilantro, diced red onion (I would have used white onion), a splash of lime juice, and chopped tomato. I am "The Guacamole King" and famous for my delicious guacamole. A guacamole purist at heart, I normally ditch the tomatoes (usually a filler in restaurants to make it look like you are getting more, but paying mostly for the much cheaper tomatoes), use finely chopped white onion, and added a clove of garlic or two. Guacamole Viva! was good nonetheless, but the chips (and salsa) that came with my meal were too thin and broke half the time I dipped...very unnerving!
The Endless Tacos come with spanish rice and beans, black or refried. You get three (your first go-around) and get to choose from three meats, ground beef, shredded chicken, or pulled pork (carnitas for you non-gringos). You also get your choice of tortilla, corn or flour, soft or deep fried. I chose two ground beef tacos in fried corn tortillas and one pork in a soft flour tortilla. I also dispensed with the rice, knowing that I was not going to waste a bit of room on the cheap "filler" and go for the gusto with the tacos ... AND I DID!
The beef tacos were excellent, coming with plenty of meat, some shredded cheddar cheese, and a small amount of lettuce and tomato on the plate (for all three tacos - more tomatoes required!). I added some refried beans, guacamole, and salsa to the beef tacos and they were excellent! Unlike Jalisco, which I reviewed a week or so back, the taco shells remained firmly in one piece, a sign of an expert taco maker and the way I prefer them.
The pork (carnitas) tacos were also very good. The meat was bountiful and cooked just right, there was a little cheese (I would have liked a bit more), and the tortilla much larger than the corn and toasted just enough to remain pliable, but soft enough to contain the beans, guacamole, and salsa I added.
In all, the meal was very good and I ended-up getting seven tacos. You should know that after the initial "three" tacos, subsequent "endless tacos" come only in pairs of two, so my second order was a replica of the first, but I only ended-up getting two beef tacos. I had to order the other pork taco later, but when it arrived there were two, so I took home the seventh taco along with the extra guacamole fro lunch the next day.
I must say that the highlight of my meal was Kelsie. She was sweet and attentive, following up just enough and not too much to make my meal enjoyable and stress free. Best of luck to you Kelsie in your nursing career! If you are as good a nurse as you are a server, your patients will be in very good hands!
CombatCritic gives On The Border 6 BOMBS OUT OF 10 ...
BOMBS ARE GOOD!
Key Words:on the border, on, border, Kansas City, northland, barry, road, mexican, food, restaurant, eat, taco, enchilada, margarita, burrito, flauta, bar, combatcritic, combat, critic
Jalapeño Brothers Facebook Page
Prices: $$$$$
Jalapeño Brothers gets 8 BOMBS OUT OF 10 for quality food, abundant portions (I saw a torts ... grande!), and extremely reasonable prices!
Key Words: jalapeño, brothers, mobil, mobile, taco, tacos, burrito, torts, quesadilla, tamale, fish, carne asada, carnitas, pastor, food, truck, comabtcritic, World's, liquor, Northland, Kansas City, 64151
______________________________________________________________________________
Jalapeño Brothers
World's Liquor Parking Lot
8108 NW Prairie View Road
Kansas City, MO 64151
816-337-1014
Jalapeño Brothers Facebook Page
Prices: $$$$$
Rating:
Mobile food trucks have become trendy in recent years, ever since I started the craze with Mobile Joe, a mobile internet cafe business I built literally from the ground up in 2005. MasterChef, Hell's Kitchen, and many of the other food-based reality shows inevitably dedicate one or more episodes to a challenge involving food trucks. A lot has changed since the days of the "food truck" arriving at construction sites with cold sandwiches, luke-warm coffee, and food piled on a bunch of ice.
I am not quite sure what the name of this business is ... Taco Mobil? ... Jalapeño Brothers? Arthur's Lounge? ... Taco Mobil Jalapeño Brothers? It really does not matter because you can find this truck, a modified industrial size van to be precise, in the parking lot of World's Liquor on Prairie View Road between Barry Road to the north and 72nd Street to the south in Kansas City's Northland. Up the street from Jaliscos (reviewed elsewhere in this blog) and LC's, the famous hamburger stand, close to the also well known In a Tub, the greasy spoon, I mean, taco stand, and spitting distance from Saffron Indian Restaurant (also reviewed in this blog), there is no shortage of fast food in this neighborhood.
The menu is short and sweet, although not easy to figure out the first time you see it. Your options are tacos ($2.00), burritos ($4.00), Torta (a large Mexican sandwich - $6.00), and quesadillas ($5.00) with a choice of meat (carne asada - small chunks of steak, pollo - shredded chicken, al pastor - small pieces of pork with pineapple and onion, and carnitas - shredded roasted pork). I had the tacos, carne asada and pastor, and as you can see in the photo, they come open-face with just meat and the accompanying salsa verde (green chili sauce) and a guacamole-like concoction that looks more like avocado salad dressing, if it still exists. I added the cheese because tacos without cheese is like a day without sex, bearable, but definitely better with the sex, I mean cheese.
The tacos were excellent and at $2.00 each, you can gorge yourself for the price of an appetizer at most restaurants. As I said, they come only with meat on a warm corn tortilla, the way they are served south of the border. No rice, no beans, just good tacos with an abundance of protein for the carnivore in you. I will try the burrito, torts, and quesadilla on future visits, likely once a week from now on.
They apparently also serve tamales and fish tacos because a sign on the truck says so, but I did not see a price or anybody ordering them. I do not think they have drinks, but World's Liquor is right there, so you should be able to find something to your liking, like a cold Tecate con sal e limon ... YUM ... minus the salt and lemon I am sure!
I will update this review as I sample more of the small menu ... very soon ... Ole'!
Jalapeño Brothers gets 8 BOMBS OUT OF 10 for quality food, abundant portions (I saw a torts ... grande!), and extremely reasonable prices!
Key Words: jalapeño, brothers, mobil, mobile, taco, tacos, burrito, torts, quesadilla, tamale, fish, carne asada, carnitas, pastor, food, truck, comabtcritic, World's, liquor, Northland, Kansas City, 64151
Title:Taco Mobil Jalapeño Brothers Arthur's Lounge ... It's a Taco Truck for Cryin' Out Loud!
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