Jerry's Woodsweather Cafe

Someone told me about a place in the Bottoms that had great burgers. I heard "blah, blah, good burgers, blah, weathersomething, blah blah". So when I went to find this place, I couldn't. You see, they don't have a website. And my searches just weren't close enough to the real name to find even a review. Wetherby's? Wetherfields? No and no.

So I gave up for a while...

Then one fine day I picked up a copy of The Pitch, and there it was! An ad! With the address and everything! Yeah!

Then I lost the ad...

So I put the challenge to my husband...Find This Place! And...he did! Jerry's Woodsweather Cafe!

Even though they had changed locations at some point, he found it! I guess the name comes from their old location - on Woodsweather Road.

And guess what? The burgers are good! And although I didn't have room this time, so did the giant chocolate-cake-under-a-dome. Mmmm....

This place is a good ole fashioned diner. Like the kind you trip into when you are traveling in rural Iowa or Arkansas. You see a variety of folks here...construction dudes, white collar dudes, moms with kids. Everyone loves a diner, right?

So the burgers....they are big. They come with the best fries I've had in a long time. They seemed to be hand-cut, but I'm no expert. I just know they tasted damn good. I actually requested a box to take home the leftover fries. Sadly, there was no leftover burger.

Here's what it looked like before it disappeared...The total tab was $7.49 for the burger and the addition of a giant sweet tea. My only suggestion is to pay .50 for extra cheese. The regular slice of cheese was no match for this gigantic monster of a burger.

Jerry's Woodsweather Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch only: Mon-Fri from 5:30am - 3pm; Sat 6am-1pm.

Location: 1414 9th Street (at 9th & Hickory), in the KC Bottoms area

website: none that I could find

Broadmoor Bistro - Baking Fridays

I've written before about Broadmoor Bistro - a bistro-style restaurant staffed entirely by high school students in the Culinary Arts program at Broadmoor Technical Center in the Shawnee Mission School District.

Last month, they started their "Baking Fridays". I've just now returned from the sugar coma that I've been in from enjoying all those delicious goodies last month. I especially enjoyed the Chocolate Decadence and the Snickerdoodle (best I've had...even if I make them myself).

The good news? This Friday (11/21/08) is a Baking Friday. Whee!

Enjoy choices of pies, tarts, cookies and cakes during Broadmoor Baking Fridays. Certain Fridays of the month the students will be selling the products of their lessons that they’ve made in their classes at Broadmoor. Check it out in the school foyer from 12:30-4:00 pm or until sold out on the specified Fridays: Nov. 21, Jan. 16, Feb. 20, and April 17.

Credit cards are preferred and NO CASH will be accepted for purchases.

Also you can order your Thanksgiving holiday pies, to be picked up either Monday or Tuesday of next week.

website: http://www.broadmoorbistro.org

AMC Theatres Premieres "Fork & Screen" Concept

AMC Theatres' Olathe location has re-opened their east wing as an entirely new concept called "Fork & Screen". Fork & Screen offers in-theatre dining, with comfy seats and ample counters or tables on which to eat while watching your movie.


I was invited to a 'sneak peek' of this concept last night, and it is SPECTACULAR.


When you enter the Fork & Screen wing, you first encounter MacGuffins, a lobby-bar that offers food and drinks (both adult and soft). You can dine/drink here either prior to entering the theatre or for dessert afterwards (or both!).


When you are ready to watch your movie, there are two theatre-style choices: the Fork & Screen theatre and CinemaSuites theatre.


The Fork & Screen theatre has larger seats, more legroom between rows, and a roomy counter on which you can dine. A concierge button allows you to call waitstaff when your popcorn runs dry or you need another Guiness. Yes, they have Guiness...I checked.


The even-more-cool, upscale CinemaSuites theatre has larger, reclining seats with footrests, and swivel tables (kinda like college, only with a place to put your beer). CinemaSuites has reserved seating, offered online. There is an additional charge of $10, but $5 comes back as a food credit and for the extra comfort and intimacy, the extra $5 is well worth it.




In conjunction with the Fork & Screen rollout this weekend, AMC is hosting some special events and giveaways, including free movie tickets for a year (Friday), a free Rock 'n' Roll party (Saturday) and a Mom's Day Out (Sunday).


NOTE: To enter the Fork & Screen wing, you must be 18 years old or older, or accompanied by a parent or guardian. To enter the CinemaSuites theatre, you must be 21 years old or older. Movie selections will reflect this demographic.

Wanna go? I've got coupons for one free admission and some buy-one-get-one food. Be the 10th person to comment and I'll send them your way! Good luck!

Go See "Clay"

This is the best play I've seen in a long time! Note the special performance (with beer!) on Saturday:

Special 10 pm performance of CLAY
Saturday, September 27
Kansas City Repertory Theatre

On Saturday, September 27, celebrate the final weekend of acclaimed hip-hop musical Clay's pre-Lincoln Center run at this special 10 p.m. performance at Copaken Stage. All beers only $2--and you can take them into the theatre! Ticketholders will also be invited to a special post-show reception. Tickets only $25!

website: http://adventuroustheatre.com/

Broadmoor Bistro Opens for Fall

Broadmoor Bistro, 6701 W. 83rd Street in Overland Park, is a restaurant in the Broadmoor Technical Center that is run by students. And by "students", I mean junior and senior high school students.

...but this ain't no cheeseburger and fry joint. They serve a 4-course gourmet meal. And it's delicious!

Some friends and I went on their opening night this week. We had to wait a while to get seated, and they attempted to serve us our first appetizer twice. But we chalked this up to opening night jitters.

...and did I mention that the food was fabulous? FABULOUS! They had to wrestle the mistaken second appetizer out of my hands!

Our group decided that we had never had scallops this good! And my tenderloin medallions were absolutely perfect.

I'd recommend this place, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Don't expect gourmet restaurant service. This is student-run. The service was not bad, but it wasn't fabulous either. That said, you are not expected to tip - so bring your patience along.
2. You have to make reservations. The only way to do this is through their website. Dining times start from 5:30 to 7:00pm, in 15-minute increments.
3. You have to pay in advance. If there's a chance you won't make it, pick another date.
4. They are only open on Wednesdays, so you'll have to set your DVR to find out who got booted from "Dancing With the Stars".
5. They don't serve alcohol. Which is a big bummer, because this food is crying out loud for some wonderful wine pairings. But alas, only tea, lemonade and coffee. It IS a high school, afterall.

Even with all these disclaimers...Broadmoor Bistro is definitely worth a visit.

website: http://www.broadmoorbistro.org

Melbee's is Closing on July 31st

This is such a bummer! Text below is copied from the official email.


MelBee's Farewell

Dear Friends,
As many of you know, MelBee's is saying goodbye and will serve its last dinner on Thursday, July 31st. Since announcing our news several weeks ago, we have been truly touched by the outpouring of kind regrets regarding our closing. Words cannot express our gratitude and appreciation for all of your heartfelt words of support and encouragement. It has truly been an honor to serve you over these last six years!

During MelBee's remaining days we hope you will give us the opportunity to say good-bye personally.

• We will be open for dinner on Monday through Saturday evenings until July 31st.
• On Thursday, July 24th we hope you will join us in honoring Christine Germann, the Village Food Pantry & Clothes Closet Director at our Christmas Eve in July Dinner. We will serve our new Summer Menu and Christy Meinhardt and Everette DeVan will entertain. MelBee's friends have been very generous this summer in bringing food items, clothing, paper goods and small appliances.
• Monday, July 28th is our final MelBee's Date Night. Dinner for two and a bottle of wine for $50 per couple.
• Beginning Monday, July 28th, we will be offering all wines remaining in our inventory at 50% discount.

We are currently making plans for the future and will stay in touch to keep you informed. Thank you again for all of your kindness and support over the past several years. It has been with great pleasure that we have been able to serve you.

Hope to see you one last time at MelBee's.

New Spin! Pizza

One of my favorite pizza places, Spin! Neapolitan Pizza, is opening up a new location in Olathe, at 119th & Greenwood (the new strip just east of Blackbob, on the north side of 119th Street). They are scheduled to open this coming Monday, June 16th.

Mmmmm....I can't wait.

website: http://www.spinpizza.com/