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Dining Dish: Try Something New in 2008

Posted 01/18/2008 by Alex

RECENT OPENINGS: Since 2007, many new restaurants have popped up across the Kansas City metro.  Here's a list of new eateries you should plan to visit in 2008.

  • Noodle Shop - Former chef for City Tavern, Dennis Kaniger, has opened this quaint Asian Noodle Shop on 59th Street and Holmes Road.  While the menu is short (noodles or...noodles?), you can create your own delicious noodle bowl by selecting from a variety of exotic Japanese ingredients.  It's the dining version of those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, and all for a very affordable price.  You'll be sure to slurp up every last noodle! 
  • Amor Fiery -  Amor de Brazil is Overland Park's newest high-quality steakhouse, showcasing the best of the Brazilian experience and culture.  This fine dining experience offers customers seventeen different cuts of grilled meats with delicious seasonings and marinades.  All meats are prepared on skewers and sliced tableside by Gauchos (loosely translated, a South American cowboy).  For a base price, customers receive all the meat they can eat with continuous tableside service.  A note to the wise: come with a big appetite! 
  • The Art of Pizza - Located in the Crossroads Arts District at 1801 Baltimore Avenue, the Art of Pizza has delicious pizzas, sandwiches, and even...art, of course!  Don't forget to grab a slice at the Art of Pizza during the next First Friday in the Crossroads.
  • Sarah's Eat, Drink, Art - Sarah's Eat, Drink, Art is yet another tasty, new option in downtown Kansas City.  The former chef at Jod D's wine bar, Sarah Walker-Paul, opened this eatery last year in the former Grand Gallery/Sammich Shop at 1815 Grand Blvd.  Sarah's serves up mostly midwestern style cooking, including salads, soups and sandwiches.  But don't forget about dessert.  If you're craving something sweet, you must try the peach cobbler.  This local eatery has quickly become a downtown favorite during the lunch hour rush.
  • Madrigall - Madrigall is Kansas City's newest martini lounge, located in the Crossroads at 1627 Oak Street.  Madrigall has over 80 martinis to choose from and an extensive Mediterranean selection including delicious pitas & hummus. 
  • The Studio Restaurant & Bar - The Studio is located on the ground floor of the Historic Louis Curtiss Studio at 1118 McGee in downtown Kansas City.  The Studio Bar offers affordable American food (burgers, pizzas, steaks and seafood) and is convenient spot for lunch, happy hour, or dinner and drinks before an event at the Sprint Center. 
  • Margarita Mama's - Located at the Legend's, this casual dining chain offers an “affordable American flavored Tex-Mex menu” for lunch and dinner daily.  Enjoy the signature frozen Margarita and empanadas while listening to live music on the huge roof-top patio.   Margarita Mama’s has several themed rooms, including The Velvet Room (an upscale bar/lounge with dancing), Sling Shots (a combination of country saloon and party bar) and Banana Joe’s Island Party (a bar for parties and events).
  • Kansas City Cafe - This new KC eatery is located near the Sprint Center at 1532 Grand.  The Cafe offers different menus every day.  If you're looking for a new and fun lunch experience, then check this place out -- they offer "Backwards Meals, Power Lunches and Diner-tainment." 
  • Corona, Cantina #1 - The world's first Corona restaurant opens its doors in the Legend's on January 10th, 2008.  Enjoy dishes inspired by the famous Mexican beer as well as Tex-Mex and Southwestern style dishes.  Don't forget to indulge in a signature margarita or mojito, and of course, a nice cold Corona.  If food and beverages aren't enough, check out the rooftop this Spring-- the restaurant will feature a Corona Cantina Beach Club volleyball court and a mechanical surfboard. 
SEEING DOUBLE:  The following restaurants have recently opened up second locations in Kansas City.  
  • Room 39 - In November 2004, Room 39 opened to rave reviews on 39th street.  Their second restaurant recently opened in the new Mission Farms development at 107th and Mission Road in Leawood, Kansas.  Focusing on seasonal, fresh and locally grown ingredients, you can rely on Room 39 for fantastic seasonal American food.  And don't be afraid to stop in more then once during the week because the menu changes daily.  Bon Apetite!   
  • Blue Koi - This noodle and dumpling shop also first made a name for itself on 39th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.  Now, like Room 39, you can get the same great tastes across state line at its new location in Mission Farms of Leawood, Kansas.  There's nothing like those chicken dumplings to satisfy your cold winter blues.      
  • Jerusalem Cafe - Jerusalem Cafe, which offers authentic Middle Eastern and vegetarian cuisine, is bringing the same great food to its second restaurant on 39th street.  The restaurant is taking over the former Yummy's space at 1610 W. 39th St, directly across from Aladdin's Cafe.
BUZZ ON THE STREET: Rumor has it that the following restaurants will be popping up in the metro area in the near future.
DEARLY DEPARTED:  You may want to change your dinner plans if you are planning on eating out at the following restaurant, as it's hard to eat a good meal at a restaurant that has closed its doors.  
  • Caliente Cuban - It took quite some time for Caliente to open its doors last year.  The original location for Caliente was intended to be in downtown Kansas City, but after various complications, the owners decided to move the restaurant to the Legends shopping center in Wyandotte County, Kansas.  Although the restaurant only opened in July, 2007, it closed on December 6th.  It is still unclear whether the owners will try to reopen in a new location.

Do you have information about recent restaurant openings and closings in Kansas City?  Let us know!  E-mail the Dining Dish at info@TastingSpace.com.

Photo courtesy of: timsamoff on flickr

--TastingSpace.com: Kansas City's Online Restaurant Guide--

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