Granite City (West Location)

So today we ventured to the west side of Wichita for some lunch dining action at Granite City. Actually, we were having a farewell dinner for our boss. The last time I ate here, it was an average visit.

This time around, the experience was much better. Service has gotten better, the food was great, and it was a nice atmosphere. I had the Chicken Salad on focaccia bread with mashed potatoes and a great side salad. The thousand island dressing had a zing to it and the mashed potatoes are red-skin and soooo yummy! The sandwich was a lunch portion and the chicken was creamy with scallions and baby mixed greens. The toasted focaccia bread is herbed and grilled just right. I also had iced tea (no lemon) to wash it all down. Very good lunch!

The server was great. I always enjoy servers responding with "my pleasure" after you thank them. It really makes you feel good. I hate it when people say "no problem".

Lunch was absolutely delightful and I was definitely pleased this time around. It seems the restaurant has made some improvements. I have also been told the beer is great here, although I have never tried it. The Sunday brunch is very tasty, but come early so you can avoid the crowded line.

This location is on 2661 N. Maize Rd.

Bella Luna Cafe

I am a follower of Zomato. I love going to this site and finding great places to try while traveling or just staying in and around Wichita. I printed the Top 100 restaurants in Wichita and decided to give some of them a go.

Last night's choice was the #1 ranked Bella Luna Cafe. We decided to try the Bradley Fair location. It was a good experience. I have eaten here before, but my boyfriend has not. We got the hummus to start off with. It usually comes with soft pita and pita chips. There were hardly any pita chips on the plate, so I picked at those while the BF chose the soft pita. The hummus is decent here.

I always get the special when dining in the evening. Last night's special was something called Seafood alla Creme? It was angel hair pasta with shrimp, scallops and a mushroom creme sauce. It's one of those dishes that has so many ingredients in it, you wonder if they were cleaning out the frig and pantry. I am talking about broccoli, squash, asparagus, mushrooms, onions, shrimp and scallops. I am sure a few ingredients didn't make the list, but were in this delicious dish. And it was GOOD. The flavors were excellent, creamy with a hint of some kick. I do have to say the pasta and scallops were overcooked. These are two ingredients that will overcook easily if you are not careful.

We had iced tea with our meal. The prices for soft drinks and beverages are always highest in Wichita. They tend to range from $2.10 to $2.50. Our tea was $2.50. Redonkulous, right?

Our server, Jeff, was great. He took really good care of us. One of the most important qualities for a restaurant to have besides quality food, is great service. Good service keeps business coming back through that front door. With so much competition out there for the customers' dollar, good service is essential in order to be successful.

I don't know if I would rank this restaurant as #1, but I plan on adventuring out and trying all of what Wichita has to offer. I'll let you know what I think.

Valentine's Day Love

Valentine's Day is one of the biggest celebrated holidays of the year in the United States. Wikipedia describes Valentine's Day as an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. Hmmm.. who would I consider my intimate companion? Well, perhaps not intimate, but a companion indeed would be my Sterling Silver rib eye I have marinating in the frig right now. Mmmhmmm. I am going to celebrate my LOVE for beef today.
If you are not familiar with Sterling Silver Meats, well, just visit their website. Better yet, just go to your local Dillons store and purchase a steak. You'll see. And smell. And taste. And savor. And wonder why you ever purchased an overpriced steak at a local restaurant on this day of love. Their beef consists of only the top 12% of all grain-fed beef cattle. In other words, the best of the best.

While at your local Dillons store, don't forget to purchase some of this. Daddy Hinkle's marinade is one of the best I have tried. The flavor is outstanding, if you're into marinades. The original is my absolute fav! Although Daddy Hinkle's is not a well known brand, it beats the best of them. No need for any steak sauce after you have grilled your steak to perfection.

Tonight, I will have dinner with my one and only - a Sterling Silver rib eye, seasoned with Daddy Hinkle's, cooked to a perfect medium-rare on my Weber grill. I will then leave it to rest for only a short time, letting the juices do it's magic, relaxing the beef into a mouthwatering center of the plate. I will celebrate the love I have for food and ponder what Pope Gelasius I was thinking when he established this beautiful day. Hopefully food came into mind.

This blog is new and under construction. Stay tuned...