LO-OOO-VE Zest in Leawood! We first went there for my birthday earlier this month, but decided it was worth a repeat performance. Zest is in Mission Farms which kind of strikes me as a smaller, plainer Town Center Plaza and doesn't look like much from the outside. But inside is a warm yet modern atmosphere filled with lots of different textures and art that is unobtrusive and perfectly incorporated into the restaurant decor. This time of year I am especially drawn to fireplaces and this restaurant has two! Tonight we had a great table right next to the smaller one. Although the restaurant does serve amazing fare, its not the place for a quiet meal. Anyway, onto the important part-- the FOOD! Extensive and clever wine list contains wines from affordable all the way up to $1800 bottles (side note: how many of those do they sell??!) The menu is modern eclectic. Its hard to pick a favorite menu item, but I am going to have say that the Wild Mushroom and Brioche topped with mascarpone cheese is my favorite. The brioche practically melts in your mouth! A close second is the gnocchi with wild boar ragu. Chris and I are such gnocchi snobs that it must be exceptional if we endorse it. Other dishes that are almost as phenomenal are the brie wedge topped with creamed spinach and artichoke pesto baked in puff pastry and served with red onion and beet jam, truffle gouda mac and cheese, lamb shank (Chris raved about it, of course I did not eat it because of the bone) and the enormous autumn bread pudding. I can't wait to go back to try the Moroccan lamb chili or the porcini-rubbed 8 oz beef tenderloin. Oh! And not to forget the fantastic service. We have had the same server, Amy, both times. She is knowledgeable, incredibly accommodating and has a great memory (she remembered the wine we ordered last time when we couldn't find it on the menu). Zest is a keeper! Go there right now and don't walk---run.
www.zestkc.com
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Trezo Vino Wine Bar and Bistro
Despite hearing of Trezo Vino's small portions my husband and I decided to try it out for ourselves. Upon entering the restaurant we were greeted with a modern yet warm and comfortable interior. The bar area was accommodating and offered many arm chairs and other casual seating. We were seated at a semi-circular booth which was perfect for conversation and shielded us from the noise of the rest of the restaurant.
The menu was a little overwhelming at first because there are so many options. You can choose from a cheese board, flat breads, bruschetta, small plates (tapas) or entrees. We had a coupon for a free flatbread so we chose the Thai Chicken Flatbread which was fabulous. Not only was it so large we took more than half of it home, but it had tremendous flavor and a bit of a spicy kick that I would expect from a dish with Thai in the name. We also ordered a cheese board which was a lovely spread, however the cheese portions were small for the price. The wine and drink menus were well thought out. We like the Moody Blue (blueberry vodka, muddled mint and lemonade) for a cocktail and the Sunny South America wine flight (Savingon Blanc, Malbec and Pinot Noir all from Argentina). Or you can create a custom wine flight of your choice!
Unlike others' reports we found the bistro plates to be quite large portions for tapas and the entrees were a perfect size for a meal. Unless you can really pack away the food, I would not recommend ordering small plates and a bistro plate. Some of our favorites:
1. Ahi tuna tacos- I don't eat raw meat, but I assumed the meat would be seared, however it was not. Fabulous though! The cool meat combined with the garlic aioli, spicy jalapeno slaw and crunchy shell were a show stopper. A LOT of food!
2. Portabello mushroom ravioli- yummo
3. Wagyu beef carpaccio- I don't eat raw meat, but my husband talked me into trying the razor thin slices of beef and I loved it.
4. Steak frites- Fantastic steak, perfect fries, love the price
5. Center cut filet- steak was great, but the goat cheese full stack was the star.
Although the gnocchi was mushy and tasteless and the beignets were just so-so, the service was excellent, knowledgeable staff, inviting ambiance and the wide array of choices would be suitable for even the pickiest of palates. We enjoyed this restaurant and will be back.
Check them out at www.kctrezovino.com.
The menu was a little overwhelming at first because there are so many options. You can choose from a cheese board, flat breads, bruschetta, small plates (tapas) or entrees. We had a coupon for a free flatbread so we chose the Thai Chicken Flatbread which was fabulous. Not only was it so large we took more than half of it home, but it had tremendous flavor and a bit of a spicy kick that I would expect from a dish with Thai in the name. We also ordered a cheese board which was a lovely spread, however the cheese portions were small for the price. The wine and drink menus were well thought out. We like the Moody Blue (blueberry vodka, muddled mint and lemonade) for a cocktail and the Sunny South America wine flight (Savingon Blanc, Malbec and Pinot Noir all from Argentina). Or you can create a custom wine flight of your choice!
Unlike others' reports we found the bistro plates to be quite large portions for tapas and the entrees were a perfect size for a meal. Unless you can really pack away the food, I would not recommend ordering small plates and a bistro plate. Some of our favorites:
1. Ahi tuna tacos- I don't eat raw meat, but I assumed the meat would be seared, however it was not. Fabulous though! The cool meat combined with the garlic aioli, spicy jalapeno slaw and crunchy shell were a show stopper. A LOT of food!
2. Portabello mushroom ravioli- yummo
3. Wagyu beef carpaccio- I don't eat raw meat, but my husband talked me into trying the razor thin slices of beef and I loved it.
4. Steak frites- Fantastic steak, perfect fries, love the price
5. Center cut filet- steak was great, but the goat cheese full stack was the star.
Although the gnocchi was mushy and tasteless and the beignets were just so-so, the service was excellent, knowledgeable staff, inviting ambiance and the wide array of choices would be suitable for even the pickiest of palates. We enjoyed this restaurant and will be back.
Check them out at www.kctrezovino.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)