Wednesday, May 19, 2010

WW Top 10 by Cuisine Category

1. Twisted Seester at the Artichoke
2. Hibachi chicken at Emperor Japanese Grill
3. Fettuche Salad at Le Monde or House salad and hummous at Bella Luna
4. Maharaja - buffet: when I go, I want everything
5. McDonald's All-American Meal (hold the onions) - what can I say, the price and the portions are right
6. Etouffe at Red Beans Bayou Grill
7. Pizza Hut or Papa John's - the Wichita originals. Ham on hand-tossed please
8. The Monterrey at Monterrey Grill - with a quart of salsa
9. Summer: Sushi - probably Kanai once I get there, but for now, Gindi if I have time to sit, Dillons if I don't
Winter: Panera Tomato Bisque and crusty bread
10. Papusas at that NoMar place I can't name - Pamela Place sPecial

*FAVORED CHAINS/CORPORATE-OWNED*:

Schlotzky’s/Cinnabon (Central & Tyler)
Quizno’s (we love owner Mike downtown)
Five Guys Burgers & Fries (N. Maize) - de-LISH burger (bun was a little greasified), fries were actually cooked all the way through, AND they tell you exactly what city in Iowa (or wherever) your fries/potatoes are coming from that day!
Braums
Panera (not so much the Cuban for me, but bring on the crusty bread!)
Dog N Shake (Central & Maple)
Pei Wei
Bamboo Stix
The Bistro at Riverbend (in what was Riverside Hospital) – not sure if this is corporate- or locally-owned

*HIGH HOPES* (I haven't been there yet so please comment!):

D’Sozo (friends just opened this vegan restaurant and grocery on South Seneca)
Si Senor (803 N West St. - the old Sonic)
Bella Vita Italian (West & Douglas)
Kabobs (north of Central & Tyler)
Sino (135th & Maple) – sushi & Asian
Paradise Donuts (3107 W. Central)
Air Capitol Pizza (former Geno & John's) - 7603 W. 21st Street North
Jack’s North Hi Carry-out (across the street from North High)
Broadway Burgers (in NoMar, so Mexican food too – Pam knows the owners)
Burger Barn (just W of Zoo & Central)
Dog House Carryout (just E of Zoo & Central)
Laura’s Tortilla Factory (527 W 13th)
Tom’s Lotus Garden (dim sum Sat&Sun! 822 S Broadway)

*BEST OF SEMI-WEST WICHITA(MID-TOWN)*

(West of I-35 & I'm claiming them - I can get there without an hour’s driving):
Artichoke (N. Broadway)
Saigon (N. Broadway)
Mead’s Corner (on Douglas - PT’s Coffee, gelato & panini that takes me back to Venezia)
La Palette (friend owners; also an art/photo gallery & studio)
River City Brewery – Old Town (OT)
The Anchor – drinks, coffee, music & so much more
Cafe Moderne – check out the $10,000 Italian import espresso machine & state-of-the-art gelato freezer
Egg-cetera (OT) rumor has it Alton Brown ate here – love Chef Jeremy Wade’s potato nests
Playa Azul (OT)
Donut Whole (on Douglas)
Get Franked (OK, a little past I-35, but worth the extra blocks at 2am. formerly Let's Be Frank)
La Galette (Delano - French pastries and lunch!)
Ty’s (definition of greasy spoon, see Webster’s)
TJ’s (ditto - well, a little nicer)
Hana Café (OT - where I first fell in love with tempura)
Larkspur (OT - garlic salad)
Connie’s (21st & Broadway - good enough for Harrison Ford is good enough for me)
Taco Rio (Douglas & Seneca) I am my father’s daughter
The Melad Old Town Square Trifecta Perfecta:
Uptown Bistro
Sabor (plantain chips and dip for Jamaican princesses)
Oeno (Hummus trio)
*ETC FOOD PLACES that people should know:
TLC Muffins (W. Central) – streusel or the one with the peach filling YUM; now also has sandwiches
Nifty Nuthouse just south of St. Francis Hospital on St. Francis
Cero’s Candies on Douglas
Spice Merchant – coffee, spices, kitchen novelty
Monica’s Bundt Cake

*ETC* - Indian, Coffeeshops, Soup&Sandwich, Brunch

*INDIA INDIAN*
Maharaja - (Zoo Blvd & Central)
*NATIVE AMERICAN*
Indian Center – Indian Tacos for Tuesday lunch: W-O-W
*COFFEEHOUSES*
the bean scene – 13th & Tyler (hang out and hookah with the highschoolers…and have hummus!)
Riverside Perk
*SANDWICHES/SOUP*
Great Harvest Bread (getting a new oven to make crusty breads - can't WAIT; stock up on granola while ur there)
Cinnamon's Deli (comfort food, baby) - N of 21st & Maize Nancy's A-Maize-in' Sandwiches (technically Maize, but whatev)
TLC Muffins (W. Central – streusel or the one with the peach filling YUM; now also has sandwiches)
*OTHER*
TLC Muffins (W. Central) – streusel or the one with the peach filling YUM; now also has sandwiches
Copper Oven (W of 13th & Meridian)
Egg Crate Café – 13th & Tyler
Riverside Café – 13th & Bitting near North High School

*ITALIAN/PIZZA*

Knolla's Pizza (2 locations) – Chicago style
Bertolli’s Pizza (Maize & Central) – NY style
DeFazio's Italian (Amidon north of 21st) *toasted ravioli*

*BURGERS&BBQ*

Nu-Way (crumbly IS good…in honor of Grandpa Nubs)
Bionic Burger (love the kiddie meals in paper cars)
Freddy's Frozen Custard
Spangles (sorry snobs and Stevens conspiracy-theorists)
Bubba’s Nekked BBQ (on 13th west of Amidon/Meridian, whatever it is there)

*ASIAN/SUSHI*

Sit @ Thai (California couple with a great purple couch – personally love the clean, unornamented ambiance, but others call it too austere...)
Emperor’s Japanese Grill (N of 21st & Ridge – Kobe’s fast-food style & price- don't miss the sauces in the front fridge!)
Thai House (on West St S of 13th – 4 tables only)
Gindi (sushi, Thai, etc.)
Kobe (East side import to north of 21st & Maize)

*CAJUN*

Red Bean's Bayou Grill (21st & Ridge)
-also has now-closed La Mesa's menu items

*MEXICAN/TEXMEX/LATIN/SO. AMERICAN*

Monterrey Grill (Kellogg W of I-235)
Red Bean's Bayou Grill (21st & Ridge) - also has defunct La Mesa menu items
Poblano's (13th & Ridge - even better than Chipotle)
Los Cocos (13th & Tyler)
Felipes (2 locations - Central between West & Zoo Blvd. and 119th & Maple)
Frida's (E of 21st & Amidon) – spicy!
Yuca Bistro (south of Central & Tyler) - get the goat cheese salad and churros
Senor Tequila’s – Tyler & 21st
The little boba/papusa place on 21st, west of Broadway - help??

*MEDITERRANEAN*

Le Monde (West & Central) - FETTUCHE SALAD (pickles, pita chips, olives...mmmm)
Byblos (w. Central)
Bella Luna (East side import to New Market - AMAZING Bella Maggio house salad)
Yuca Bistro - yummy seafood crepes and flatbreads; fun blend of Latin & Mediterranean cuisine