Bar Review: Hereford House

Hereford House, Shawnee, KS

After a very educational work seminar at eating their prime rib, 16 oz. (needed more crust on the outside), my co-workers and I settled in at what I felt was their best feature, the long wooden and cozy bar top.

Ask for an old fashion, it is their signature drink and consists of:
Whisky (well or any kind you choose - I went with the Knob Creek)
Simple Syrup, Cherries, orange slice, some club soda, splash of Seira Mist, splash of coke, dash of bitters and then mix with ice - Brutal!!

If Natalya is working behind the bar she will definitely hook you up, great bartender and has very healthy pours for your drinks.  Solid place to stop in for an hour when you are out in Shawnee, KS the next time.

Talk to everybody soon, Thanks for reading -

Bar and drinking experience only: 93.4% A

Restaurant Review: Beer Kitchen

Beer Kitchen

Westport, Kansas City, MO

From the strong referral of a friend and co-worker I checked this place out on a Tuesday night.  Needless to say it was packed and everybody enjoying themselves and you knew they had been there several times before. 

I went with the deviled eggs for appetizers, inhaled them.  They have a huge selection of specialty drinks and wines, I recommend their tall Scrimshaw pilsner and their Green Flash Green Bullet.   And then there was the Reuben sandwich I ate – DELISH!!  Savory, smoked corn beef, melted swiss and Dijon mustard, wow what a SandWITCH!!  Plus, their truffle-parm fries with smoked chipotle aioli and horseradish aioli dipping sauces gives this portion of your meal an added “Wow, this place is awesome moment.”

I loved the décor in this place, all red brick stone from floor to ceiling in some spots, antique beer posters, nice HD flat screen’s.. a bar that you could escape into for two hours at a time and top notch, aggressive service.  They know their shit is good, they get you seated and treat you like a KC Westport tourist, fast and efficient..felt somewhat rushed, but that’s because hungry people are flowing in there all the time.

Highly recommend, and remember I only had one Rueben sandwich meal, I could go back there once a week until I have tried everything on their menu and know I would not leave an unsatisfied customer.

93.5% A

Restuarant Review: Summit Grill and Bar

Summit Grill and Bar

Lees Summit, MO and new location in Waldo District, KC, MO

I have more appreciation for this place then most restaurants I have reviewed because Andy Lock (Owner) finally brought a top of line dining experience to Lees Summit and now the new Waldo, KC, MO location.  If you see a big burly ex offensive lineman wearing a sports jacket shaking hands with everybody and making those feel welcome…that’s Andy.

 

The happy hour specials are awesome.  Daily 3-6 and 8-10, I recommend their outstanding chicken wings,  pot roast nachos, street tacos and variety of well, draft and domestic beers along with a selection of mixed drinks.  If you swing into their LS location, ask for Rup (pronounced roop), he will take care of you.

 

The food, the food..the food.. this is what gives Summit it’s stripes.  Can be ranked for the best cheeseburger in the city and I challenge any other restaurant against it.  It’s their basic Summit Grill burger with cheese, and with a heaping plate of crispy French fries, .. I order it 80% of the time.

 

Their steaks are phenomenal.  The chicken fried chicken is delicsh..  pot roast..with mashed potatoes, freshly cut green beans and don’t forgot to order their ooey gooie butter chocolate cake.  I challenge anybody who eats there and is not satisfied to respond to this post.  I will personally meet you there again and demand what you were smoking.

 

Worth noting:  I have long lasting friendship with Andy and helped coach his son, Drew Lock in fifth, sixth and seventh grade youth tackle football in Lees Summit.  Drew will be wearing the black and gold for MIzzou next fall as an SEC quarterback.

 

Like the great game of Football, the Summit Grill and Bar will make you happy.  Thanks Andy

 

95.8% A

 

 

 

"Frozen" a toddler's Las Vegas

 

Frozen, any parent has experienced this rage with their kids now for the past six months.. I think I can sum up the experience for my 5 year old Harrison and my 2.5 year old Gabrielle as pure euphoria for this movie and soundtrack like I'm sure thousands of parents can see too with their kids.

 

To a kid this animated feature with vibrant characters and broad way music is like adults and Las Vegas

 

For Example:

 

I had to bribe the guy over the phone at Toys R Us to hold a blue ray/dvd copy for me to pick up the first day it came out and out race walk moms to the front door.

• Like in Vegas you have to bribe everybody to get into a nice room at a hotel, restaurant, prime spot at the pool, or club.  When you do think you're getting the bachelor party pad at Ceasars Palace and window view like in the Hangover, you and your crew open the windows to see the back of a building with lines of air conditioners and concrete filling your view everywhere, plus 1990's TV's in the rooms, but there was a nice grand piano!

Kids have to see the movie all the time

• Like in Vegas you have to always check out the sports books with the countless flat screens showing every sport in America at one time and then placing a bet on your hometown team to either win the World Series, Super Bowl or NCAA Championship or just parlay a few games.

 Kids are listening to the soundtrack every morning and at night getting ready for bed

• Like in Vegas you are constantly hearing and moving to the beat of house music in every hotel, casino, bar and club you enter, and by the time you get back to your hometown you still are singing word for word the one song you hear over and over again.. mine happens to be "Rich Girl" by Gwen Stefani..that was playing all the time!!

 Kids and adults sing Ida Manzel's "Let it Go" as best they can to the same rhythm, pitch and volume

• Like in Vegas you and your crew are dancing in circles with new friends you just met while trying to maintain your drink balance and sing "Hey Short e' it's yo Birth day!!.. something, something and we don't give a f___ and it's your birthday!"

 

Bottom line - Frozen makes your kids happy and always cheerful, just like Vegas does to adults, and that is all we can ask for in our homes and lives

96.8% A 

 

 

South of France and Italy Trip

My first trip overseas was a great experience, a quick four days and four nights.  I will review with you a snap shot of each place I went with my wife and give you a look at the French Rivera!

 

Nice, France - It's on the coastline, very rocky coastline.  It was not a "French" feeling but tropical like and Mediteranian.  The food was all fresh and healthy, I had red mallet filet with fresh vegetables and rice, red wine, olives, and never had a better plate of cured meats of ham, prosciutto, pancetta and sausage in my life.  The pasta was made from scratch, and the seafood, especially the mussels were exceptional.  Plus, their fresh café or coffee was not watered down, and their French bread was fantastic (obviously)!  Pictures: rocky beach, old statues, city from hotel window and food 

 

Monte Carlo, Monaco - a quick train ride away from Nice, this is where the rich and powerful come to play in the French Rivera.  I went inside the Monte Carlo Casino and had a martini at the bar in honor of James Bond.  The films Never Say Never Again, Goldeneye and Casino Royale had scenes filmed in this location.  There were yachts up and down the coastline, specialty stores of Chanel, Louis Viton, Prada, Gucci, Christian Dior, Cartier, Bulgari and others.  Pictures: Casino, yachts, sports cars in front of hotel and casino    

 

Ventimiglia, Italy - Further down the coastline by train is this northern city in Italy right on the border of western France.  The city itself felt like you were on the east coast, New Jersey, the people either all had Adidas gear on or wore jeans and a hooded sweatshirt, smokers everywhere.  The best thing was visiting the Roman Theatre, this is preserved from 2nd century AD.  At one time the theatre could seat 5,000 spectators and held various events as gladiator battles, plays, pantomimes, choral events, and orations. The semicircular form would enhance the natural acoustics, vs. Roman amphitheatres that were round.

 

The coastline was very rocky and had a clean smell to it, not a strong sea salt smell like the Atlantic or Pacific.  The Mediteranian Sea was much cleaner.  I also had a slice of fresh margarita pizza that was delicious and fresh with earthy ingredients.  Plus the chef gave me a pint glass for my travels!

Pictures: Roman Theatre, rocky beach, pizza

 

Cannes, France - The last day we went to the "Cancun" of the French Rivera, very touristy and lots of tourist traps.  Great time, everybody was eating outside and on vacation from all over Europe.  We went through an antique market in the center of town that overlooked the seaport filled with sail boats and yachts.  

 

The public beach was next, and it was perfect to end the last day on.  It was not crowed at all, still relatively cold out and not as many people out on holiday.  Imagine just cruising through town with a backpack and then strolling onto the beach, and seeing nothing but beach chairs, umbrellas, outside seating of restaurants, comfortable sand and a scenic view of the ocean.  It was only 15 euros minimum to lay in the beach chairs and you could stay there all day!  We got fried calamari, and ice cold beers.  The food was fried minnows and you ate them like French fries with a special dip, perfect!

Pictures: beach shots, fried minnows appetizer

 

To sum it up, great trip!  I had the benefit of catching all my flights in exact order, no down time getting there, but it was 12 plus hours in the air each way.  The jet lag feels like your drunk and exhausted all at once, but it is manageable.  Delta Airlines had tons of movies, plus their food was great and you could drink as much as you wanted, great trip and I highly recommend visiting Europe if you have not done so before!!

92.3% A

 

 

Food Review: The Sandtrap Golf Bar and Restaurant

A poker night that fell through turned into a great night out with a long time friend, his 6 yr. old son, me and my soon to be 5 year old.  Our search for a good sports bar in Overland Park and Leawood, KS took us through old streets, areas of our youth that now have become huge shopping centers, big new business developments and the latest that Johnson County has to offer.  The drive also brought back glory days, stories, who's where and what ever the hell happened to..!?  

 

Our final destination: The Sandtrap Golf Bar and Restaurant.  A gem right outside Stateline Road in KC, MO close to Martin City.  When our waitress Ashley remembered to bring my friend a Busch Light, frozen glasses with our bottled beer and equally cold chocolate milk for the boys I knew we had chosen the right spot.    

 

A family owned sports bar and restaurant, the Sandtrap remembers who you are and always welcomes you like family.  I have eaten here several times with our families, and by far their homemade potato chips are a staple to try.  They are seasoned with their special salt spices, good thickness and delicious.  Their wings are ok, not a lot to them, Friday night steak special is very good and fries.  The cheeseburger has a unique char taste that I love, fresh condiments and pickles give it a sour and cool crunch that adds to the texture of the meal.  I could not stop eating! 

 

Closing down nostalgia evening.. just like my friend's game winning TD catch from me on an out and up pattern in the final two minutes against SM North our sophomore year, the Sandtrap will always come through in the clutch for the younger crowd, plus you and your family!

 

91.7% A

 

Thanks, Mark

Food Review: The Pit, Raymore, MO

This week I had a lunch meeting with a good customer of mine and friend at the Pit, in Raymore, MO.  It's a bit of a hole in the wall in an older part of Raymore, right outside of Belton, good spot for lunch.

 

Best things to try:

• Fried "Pit"ckles, very good fried pickles made with their homemade batter, dipped in ranch
• Kenny Want Wingy, there chicken wings were terrific!  They are grilled, with a smoky flavor, not bready and have a nice spicy kick at the end.  Buffalo sauce was better than their BBQ.  The spiciness made you start to simmer, but very manageable
• Homemade Cheescake (depending on what the mom of the owner is making), I had Lemon Cheesecake with a lemon glaze, with fresh cream on the side, outstanding!!  Very fresh, homemade!

I had the cheeseburger with their bizzaro fries which was good, not great (bizzaro fries consists of curly fries with chopped bacon, green onions and

sour cream).   

 

Reasons to check out this place when you are in Raymore, easily the Buffalo Wings and homemade desserts!

 

Say hi to Kevin the manager, he will take care of you.

80.0 B

Screen Review: Noah in IMAX

This movie is good, but difficult to decipher and understand completely.  It paints a very vivid image of the Earth in the beginning stages of when life was raw and natural wonders from above with God or as characters in the movie call it, "The Creator."  Well done special effects of the Earth in creation, animals of all kinds finding their way to the ark and a rough look at civilization in our ancient past.

 

You learn quite a bit of bible history with Adam and Eve, the Book of Genesis, and how angels took on new forms to help Noah and his family construct the ark out of wood all from a majestic forest that was created for his ultimate mission in life.  Russell Crowe is excellent as Noah and his wife played by Jennifer Connelly puts on a gripping performance as well.

 

This strong drama is best suited to see with your church friends or your family, not too bad -

 

82.4% B

 

Thanks, Mark

Peace of Mind Jog

Everybody has the time when they are most effective in the day to get your thoughts in order and start the day out right.  Mine happens to be in the early morning hours between 6-7 on a nice quiet and peaceful "peace of mind jog."

All you can hear is your shoes hitting the pavement, your controlled breathing and see your breath in the air.  The sky is a crisp magenta hue and the sun is just starting to come out over the horizon, with the reflection bouncing off the windows in your neighborhood.  I jog with my dog, Stella who is equally as gracious as she gets her exercise for the day too.

When I was much younger, and worked a job in hotel resort management, I was a sailing, water ski and windsurfing instructor, and every morning I would be up getting the boats ready, sails unrolled, skis and boards out while everybody else was still stirring up out of bed.. great feeling getting out onto the beach with no tracks in yet and just you and the outdoors with nature.  This is where I learned to appreciate early mornings and activities. 

Now, after my ritual jog, I will take my daughter with me in the jogging stroller through our path in the neighborhood, or walk her with me to the "yellow sign" (Yield Sign), and talk with her about why it's nice to jog or walk first thing in the morning.  With my son, he is getting to the point where he will be jogging with me, his stroller days are behind..

Stella, our dog is always ready too!

Thanks, Mark

Food Review: Brewbakers, Lenexa, KS

A perfect Saturday afternoon concluded at Brewbakers, in Lenexa, KS today.  I went with an old friend I've known since 4th grade and both share "the connection" or my first TD pass to an end/WR in 8th grade.. slant pattern, I knew where he was going to be, connection 23 yard TD.

Brewbakers: Excellent sports bar in the highest regard.  A first timers bonus was the third day of March Madness, electricity was everywhere...This sports lovers experience is in the growing Lenexa, KS area surrounded by fitness centers, fresh grocers, developing new business centers and new eatery's.

This place exhibits excellent customer service, cold beer consistently out of the tap, chicken wings that were not breaded but fried with a honey glaze and good portions, the side order of large waffle fries are just that, fried to perfection.., your experience really catapults by the sports explosion on all the HD flat screens, It's like your looking into mirror basketball glory everywhere!!

Closing down our experience, the restrooms were clean, professional/sleek and not big.  I requested to meet the restaurant manger, her name was Toni.  I congratulated her and assured her that her place would get an A in my review.  *The best icing on this sports lovers paradise cake.. they use a thin replica, tissue paper KC Star Newspaper Headline "Royals Win the 1985 World Series!" in the bottom basket of their fantastic chicken wings.  A tremendous touch, my hats off.  
92.3% A

Thanks, Mark

Memories of March Madness

This time of the year is electric with college basketball, every sports fan loves this holiday that keeps on giving, filled with drama, underdog stories and the last minute buzzer beater shots.  For me the best memories of this annual tradition goes back to when I was in grade school and my dad and I would always go to the Big 8 Tournament in Kansas City, MO at Kemper Arena.  We would go with another dad and his son, and we would always get a Big 8 Tournament plastic cup.  This is where I embraced Kansas State Wildcat Basketball.  My dad went to school there, so that's how my family was raised.  In my opinion, the best conference basketball tournament in the country is in Kansas City.  Now the new Big 12 is in the Sprint Center in downtown KC at the Power and Light District. 

We always had the same 4 seats for the Semi Final Games in the nose bleed section about 20 rows down from the top at an angle to the court, but with binoculars it was still great.  One year in the official NCAA Sweet 16 Tournament Kemper Arena hosted Memphis vs. Cincinnati.  I remember Memphis star was Penny Hardaway, our seats were behind the basket on court level, no idea how he scored those tickets.

Opening Weekend of March Madness in Las Vegas - It has to be on your list of things to do once in your life.  Incredible.  I've been on two occasions with a group of friends and it's awesome, I highly recommend you do!

Have a great tournament, hopefully my son's picks shape out ok...because I deferred to his random choices this year!

Thanks, Mark

Crossfit

Crossfit, when you hear this word, you think of people swearing by it, "You have to do it, you would love it!"  Finally, I listened to my friends locally and around the country and started this unique workout routine 3 weeks ago, and now I too am saying, "Awesome!  You would love it!"

For those who have not done it, think of it in these terms:

• Group motivation
• One hour set class sessions (5:00AM, 6:00AM, 9:00AM, 12:00PM, 3:30PM, 4:30PM, 6:30PM)
• You can go at your own pace or always challenge yourself
• You will have expert coaching on the main Olympic lifting styles (back squat, front squat, over head squat, power clean, clean and jerk, push press)
• Nothing like a 24 Hr. Fitness, Snap Fitness, P90X, Insanity programs
• A creative new workout every time
• "WOD" or Work Out of the Day = a 10 minute segment at the end of each workout session where you do anything from pushups, pull ups, box jumps, jump rope, over head pushups, running, wall balls, kettle ball swings, smash balls, and big tire pushes just to name the exercise I have done with tons more, the music is loud as can be, everybody is motivated and you go all out

So girls and guys, check out your local "box" gym and give the "Onramp Program" a try.  It is well worth the money, and you will see what everybody is talking about!

Thanks, Mark

Screen Review: 300 Rise of an Empire

Prepare to wipe the blood off of your face as it splatters and gushes out with flying limbs everywhere as you ride along with Themosticles and his entire Greek navy in their historical sea battles vs. the mighty Persian fleet!

With "300" and the Battle of Thermopole as a recurring point of emphasis this entry puts you in another part of the war while this battle rages on..you are in the Aegean Sea utilizing ancient naval tactics.

The acting is good, not great but it doesn't matter because the high seas and very effective visual effects take center stage plus with an impactful soundtrack your point of view is always ready to go to war.  This will please the masses, good movie and accurate depiction of real world history makes this an even better bloody experience.
Grade: 82.3% B

Introduction & Perspective

Hi there, my name is Mark.. 37 years old, married to my wife Angie for 7 years, son Harrison 4.5 years old, and daughter Gabrielle "Gabby" 2.5 years.  I have lived a full and adventurous life to date, with the glass always being half full.  My perspective on life is that you go through different phases and have to accept change, because like we would all love to be 24 forever, those years accelerate past you and the next thing you know you're taking your kids to little league sports practice's and can remember down to exact details when your parents took you, so it's crazy to think you are now in that role!

Moving on... why did I create this blog?

The driving factor is a good, solid Movie Review for the "cool professional" out there.  I got tired of getting these ridiculous mundane recaps from critics, so I experimented last summer by texting some of my core friends my personal flavor of summer movie reviews and they raved on it's appeal and content.

I will also include book reviews, sporting events experiences, travel, food, exercise, and life as a suburbanite!

Please enjoy and thank you for reading, Mark