You know those recipes you make one time and automatically know is a keeper? That’s how Mark Bittman’s Impromptu Fried Rice was for me. Its simple, versatile and so dang good (like impress your mama good). Read on for the deets and thank me later. This is the secret sauce your dinner routine has been missing!
I’ve written a lot about camping (check out my "Get Your Butt Outside" tips here and here), because I think camping is the best. But it's winter… in the Midwest… it's too cold for camping, right? Wrong! Camping in the winter can be just as fun, and even more rewarding, than camping in warmer months (when everyone else is doing it!).
The Milwaukee Delicatessen Company… where do I begin? A). It’s darling. B). It’s what the north edge of downtown has been missing. C). It’s delicioso.
I am a huge proponent of riding bikes: those leg- and lung-powered two-wheeled bad mama jama machines. Biking is really fun, liberating and happens to be great exercise. Plus, you get to wear fancy shorts that make everyone look good (hello, spandex!).
Pigwich is a stationary food truck adjacent to mi amor The Local Pig (read all about it, my friend). It has the best sandwiches in #KC. For real, the best freaking sandwiches. They have a set menu featuring old favorites like Cheeseburger and Cheesesteak and more adventurous offerings like Bahn Mi and Falafel. All of them are served on Farm to Market bread (nom) and feature ridiculous house-made toppings (often from local farmers).
I’m a big fan of Eureka Springs, Arkansas (you'll love it too - check out my post for the scoop) and The Belladonna Cottage, located just minutes from downtown, is a real find. It's tucked away so deep that the owner, Patti, has you call when you get into town and directs you step-by-step (“see that pink shed, yep that’s it, turn right”). The cottage is split into two private levels – you can choose the street level or the garden level (the garden level is sa-weet!).
Café Gratitude is a treasure chest of plant-based food experiences. It’s a vegan’s dream, but it’s not just for those who abstain from animal products. It is also 100% organic and they use local products whenever possible – even growing produce on their own farm. It’s a comforting place focused on you and your experience, beyond the food and drink.
Kansas City has a fascinating history. Our story is filled with familiar names, but a lot of us don’t know the people behind those names and what they’ve done for us. Let’s change that. History can bridge generations, enhance our communities and enrich our lives, so let’s start with the beginning and take a look back.
My bike riding adventure started on a normal evening in the spring of 2008. I was at home for dinner and my Dad and brother were preparing for another 200-mile gravel grinder (s/o to #dk200!). I teased them for being crazy and they challenged back that I should get a taste of the madness and ride a century at the end of the summer. I had no reason to take them (or my encouraging mom and sis-in-law) seriously.
The Farmhouse’s motto, “Farm to table. Tip to tail.” isn’t just a catchy slogan– its what they do everyday. And they do it really well. The food at The Farmhouse is superb (like really amazing), the beverages are top-notch, and the servers are fun, professional and eccentric.