Our Dinner with Darcy at Taste & See

Finally got around to trying dinner at Taste & See. Chef Jason has been serving dinner at his restaurant for a while now, but Brian and I have been too busy to stop by. Darcy wanted to go there for dinner on Wednesday night, but I wouldn’t get out of Gina Ann’s Zumba class until almost 8 PM. I told her that was too late for me to eat dinner, but I did counter with Thursday night. I would finish with my Zumba class at Evergreen Recreation Center at 7 PM and could meet her. I didn’t mind eating later that night because I would be picking up Brian at the airport at 10 PM and I put in for a vacation day on Friday so we could spend some time together so I anticipated being up late. I’m weird and have to eat dinner at least 3 to 4 hours before going to bed. Gotta make sure that I allow for enough time to digest the food, otherwise I have weird dreams (some people call them nightmares). LOL.

Initially dinner just involved Darcy and me. However, Brian was able to get on an earlier flight from ATL to ICT so his arrival time changed. Darcy ended up picking up Brian from the airport (she lives on the West side so it was on the way) on her way to meet me for dinner. I guess I could have gone to pick up Brian after Zumba, but that would entail driving from the North part of town all the way out West to the airport and then back out East for Taste & See. This would also mean dinner would start a little later, which I don’t really like. When it comes to eating dinner, the earlier the better. Anyway, Brian and I were both really grateful to Darcy for agreeing to pick him up from the airport.

Darcy and Brian were already there when I showed up. I was only going to have water (they have yummy fruit-infused water at Taste & See), but Darcy decided she wanted a glass of sangria so I decided to have one also.

The three of us shared an order of platanutres, but I wasn’t quick enough to take a photo of it. We were all hungry so we started munching as soon as it came out. Anyway, I have several pictures of platanutres already. You can see some platanutres in the next photo, but when you just order it by itself then they serve it in a cone-shaped wire thing.

Darcy decided to get an appetizer also. She picked the queso fondue which is pictured above. I can’t believe I’d never had it before because it was so yummy. It is the tastiest cheese concoction ever. The fried veggie and plantain chips and artisan flatbread that they serve with it are absolutely perfect for bringing out the favors in the queso. BTW, I don’t think it’s on the lunch menu; otherwise I’m pretty sure I would have tried it already.

Boeing ol’ Brian ordered the real Cubano, which is his usual. Darcy was picking on me because I took another picture of it, though I have several in my collection of food pictures already.

Darcy had the oceanic mac & cheese, which is probably the most delicious mac & cheese dish I’ve ever tasted. It’s oceanic because it has lump crab meat, shrimps, and scallops. I think they used the same cheeses as in the queso fondue because it tasted very similar.

I had the ultimate paella, which was more watery than I like, but was full of wonderful flavor. I’m craving it again just thinking about it.

Chef Jason was super busy that night because Thursday nights are the nights he hosts Chef’s Table — an exclusive, five course dining experience. He managed to find time to stop by our table and visit at the end of the evening though, which I thought was really nice of him. I particularly appreciated it because it gave me the opportunity to introduce him to Darcy.

The funny thing is that he kissed everyone on the head, including Darcy (Darcy’s head smelled good though, unlike mine). Brian explained that it’s a Latin American thing because his Latin American coworkers do the same thing. It felt awkward for me because I had just come from Zumba and was visibly a sweaty mess. I told Brian that I felt sure that my head was stinky so I had him smell it. He agreed. I’m thinking that Chef Jason will probably think twice about kissing random heads in the future. LOL.

Anyway, I’ve thrown out one previous birthday gift idea… Here’s another one for anyone who might be reading this. I really, really, really want to experience Chef’s Table. Granted, I have to wait until I get a break from teaching Zumba (since I don’t finish until 7 PM and Chef’s Table starts at 6 PM and, more importantly, I don’t want to show up a stinky, sweaty mess), but I really, really, really want to go (hint, hint). Other than that, a gift certificate to Taste & See would be a good alternative also.

October 7, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Food and Drink

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BJ’s Brewhouse

Brian has enjoyed some really fabulous food this week. He had the opportunity to dine at Folks Folly, which is a premier steakhouse in Memphis. I’ll let him tell you guys about that, though.

In the meantime I’m stuck in Wichita eating Lean Cuisine microwaveable lunches. Blech. I finally had the chance to try BJ’s Brewhouse, though. Three of my coworkers and I decided to go there for lunch after our training class on Wednesday. I’d heard some good things, some bad things, and a lot of hype. Plus, they’re always busy so I figured it must be good. Otherwise people wouldn’t go there, right?

We started out with the fried calamari appetizer. It had good flavor, but some of the pieces were chewy. That’s typical of seafood in the Midwest, though. Unless you’re eating at Bonefish, the seafood isn’t always so fresh. Despite the texture, I thought it was good calamari.

I got the flatbread pizza and salad lunch combo. The flatbread was okay. It’s not as good as the flatbread at Granite City. The salad was okay too. They brought me out the wrong salad though, so she had to come back and bring the correct one.

Anyway, speaking of flatbread, Mel was somewhat perturbed by the fact that they couldn’t make her bacon flatbread. I can understand where Mel is coming from, though. If you have all of the ingredients required to make what is requested, why not just make it? She ended up having to order something else instead.

This is a photo of the correct salad that I requested to go with my meal.

Faith got the teriyaki chicken with rice. It looked yummy. She said it was delicious. I wished that I had ordered it after seeing her meal next to mine. You can never go wrong with chicken and rice.

I didn’t get a picture of Gwen and Mel’s lunches. Overall I think the food wasn’t bad. The items on the lunch specials are a pretty good value. I think BJ’s is a good alternative to some of the chains we have around town.

However, they do have a long way to go in terms of service. Our server was not particularly attentive. Despite how loudly Mel slurped on her empty water glass, no one noticed. The restaurant was not packed. One would expect that water glasses would be refilled automatically throughout the meal.

Anyway, I would probably go back because Brian hasn’t tried the restaurant yet. Though my first impression wasn’t stellar, I would give them another chance.

October 5, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Food and Drink

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Random Food Pics

This was Brian’s dinner on Monday night. I didn’t get to go because it was a work function.

Now I know this doesn’t look like much because it’s hard to get good food photos at Luca due to the dim lighting, but it’s so good. Anyway, the lighting at Luca is supposed to be that way. That’s the ambience they’re going for at the restaurant.

I know that the chicken is good because Brian saved one of the pieces for me. It was so delicious (even as a leftover) and really made me want to go back to Luca for a dinner date or something. Thank you, baby!

This next one is Brian’s lunch on Tuesday. It was his first meal in Memphis after landing. He said the restaurant was three blocks away from his hotel. Would you walk three blocks for some Chick-Fil-A?

October 5, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Food and Drink

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Post Zumba Munchies at Caffe Moderne

Brian’s reward for letting me attend the Zumba event in Old Town Square was dinner at Caffe Moderne, one of our most favorite places to eat downtown.

He usually gets the Habana with tomato bisque soup as his side.

My usual is the Garbo with salad.

We shared gelato for dessert. It wouldn’t have been a real “reward” otherwise.

October 2, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Food and Drink

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Food Truck Grand Slam

I’d be lucky to spot a food truck every once in a while. Yesterday, I spotted three and ate from two. I got to eat an Air Capital cheesesteak sandwich with a side of homemade potato chips for lunch courtesy of work, which brought in B.S. Sandwich Press and Mmm Sandwiches as our reward for doing well over the summer.

I would have taken pictures of my food, but I forgot my cellphone at my desk.

Brian and I were in a food truck food kind of mood, so we caught The Flying Stove in Old Town Square after my Zumba class last night. As food trucks go, The Flying Stove is definitely the best. They have the most creative menu out of everyone.

I had the Hawaiian Loco Moco, while Brian had the Japanese Chicken Karange. We also shared an order of truffle fries, which are not to be missed. It’s almost ilke The Flying Stove signature. They have the best fries in Wichita in my book.

Here’s a picture of our feast…

My food was good, but I think Brian’s had better flavor. It reminded me of another dish that I’d tried before from their menu.

The one thing I will recommend, if you’ve not tried The Flying Stove or this new menu before, is to ask for the egg to be fried hard (if you don’t want it somewhat runny) and the burger patty to be well-done. Mine was still pinkish and Brian and I get pretty oogy about that. I still love, love, love The Flying Stove, though.

September 29, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Food and Drink

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The Cheesecake Factory

Brian was laughing at me last week because I checked in at Cheesesteak Factory on FourSquare instead of checking in at The Cheesecake Factory, which is where I really meant to check in at. LOL.

Darcy had the Moroccan chicken.

I had the bang-bang chicken and shrimp. It was super yummy! I would definitely order it again next time I’m at the restaurant.

Also, I didn’t get to have any cheesecake this time because I was so full from my meal. I’m going to have to save room for dessert next time.

And, how is it that there’s a Cheesecake Factory in Leawood and there’s not one in Wichita? WTH?

September 18, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Food and Drink

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Kansas State Fair

I had to work at the Kansas State Fair last Tuesday. Brian was still on vacation so he decided to keep me company. I only took off Monday as a vacation day. Brian took both Monday and Tuesday off.

It was a very windy day and Brian actually helped to keep the tent up.

I didn’t get to walk around, but Brian took some photos.

He really enjoyed looking at the campers.

Brian liked this one because it had a patio.

Brian took photos of the military vehicles also.

We want something like this for our front patio.

There were plenty of food vendors at the fair.

Check out this giant slide!

I was worried that Brian would be bored hanging out at the fair while I worked, but I think he had a good time walking around and taking photos of everything. Lucky for us, Tammie was there to fill so I could get away for lunch. She recommended a Methodist booth at the Cottonwood food court, so that’s where we ended up eating.

Brian got the roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy and a side of mac and cheese. I had the chicken and noodles, some green beans, and corn.

I’m so glad Tammie recommended the church’s booth because the food was really good. I would definitely hit them up again next year. What about you all? What were your favorites at the fair this year?

September 18, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Food and Drink, Things to Do

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Brian Joins the Mug Club

Now that we no longer live by Granite City, Brian finally joins the Mug Club. Story of my life. LOL. I am going to miss this place.

We went to Granite City after our final walk through at the apartment on Monday. Found out they had great happy hour specials.

We shared Idaho nachos and a prosciutto olive flatbread pizza. It was just enough food for the two of us.

Granite City Food & Brewery on Urbanspoon

Granite City actually has great flatbread pizzas. Believe it or not. It’s sad that we’re only realizing this now. We could have been eating there all along when we lived across the street. Oh, well.

Besides the great deals at happy hour, we found that that their Saturday brunch is only $9.99, which is a pretty good value. I believe Sunday brunch is only $14.99 and it includes prime rib. There’s not many places in town you can eat brunch buffet for those prices. No wonder they’re usually busy around that time.

September 16, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Food and Drink

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Abuelo’s

It had been a while since we’ve dined at Abuelo’s. We quit going for a while because they no longer served their sangria in carafes, but then I got an email that said I could get the sangria in carafes and also another email after that with a buy one entree get another free. We went back the other day only to be disappointed that we still couldn’t get a carafe of sangria. Apparently it’s only available at select locations, Kansas not being one of them. Blech.

Between the visit before last and this visit, they switched to the “create your own salsa” thing. They still had the red salsa and the really spicy salsa that Brian usually asks for but they’ve added the green pineapple salsa which is actually really good. It’s great by itself but it’s awesome when mixed with the regular red salsa.

I suppose many people, like Brian, ask for the spicy stuff to mix with the regular salsa which just isn’t spicy enough for some so they finally just caved and decided to let people mix their own. I thought it was a great idea because, not only does it make the dining experience more interactive, but it gives the diner a sense of accomplishment (e.g. the salsa I made is better than yours). LOL. Jokes aside, now you can have salsa that is exactly to your unique taste. Plus, there are already other restaurants that have gone this route such as P.F. Chang’s next door.

I think Brian got the Laredo, though I can’t really tell from looking at this photo.

Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy on Urbanspoon

I got the Durango Burrito, one of three things that I usually order when I’m at Abuelo’s.

Abuelo’s is not as much fun without pitchers of sangria. Lucky for us, we were there late enough for happy hour. FTW!

September 15, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Food and Drink

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Stix at Legends

More food porn just for you…

Brian and I have been to Stix as few times over the years. The food has always been good.

This last time I went with my coworkers because we had a training session in the area. The food and service were good. I would definitely return. Although, I owe Brian a trip to Yard House first. There are so many good places to eat in the area, you really have to do some juggling. Yummo!