G's Jamaican Quisine

When I stepped into G's I momentarily thought I might be in Jamaican minus the ocean breeze, but I believe it is hotter in  Kansas City than it is in Jamaica.  G's has paintings on the walls, some tables scattered about, Reggae music playing and no air conditioning.  The building could use some maintenance and the service is slow, but the food incredible.  I ordered salmon and red beans and rice.  The salmon had a wonderful spice and the red beans and rice were the best I had ever had.   They had a ginger beer, that was not really beer, but very refreshing.  I tasted the jerk chicken, goat, and the oxtails.   Each of these dishes were very good.  The portions were large, so there was plenty left for me to take home for lunch the next day and believe it or not, the leftovers were even better the next day.  The spice marinated thru the salmon and red beans, making them even tastier.  I missed trying out the meat pies, but hope to go back some day for take out.   This is food you should not miss.   Rating 3.75 

Noodles and dumplings and dipping sauces, oh my!

Greetings, dear blog readers! We're 3/7 on reviews for G's Jamaican Quisine, which means we're on track for an appetizer-heavy meal next month.

Speaking of next month, lovely Erin will be back in the Midwest after a long visit back home, and will do the honors of choosing our restaurant. I won't tell you which one, but it's an Asian dumpling and noodle joint. I'll be practicing my chop stick skills.

Real Women eat at G's

Didn't really feel like I was entering a tropical paradise when I walked through the door at G's.  The first thing I saw was a photo with a plea to help find a culprit who a really bad dude!  The building itself was a sultry 88 degrees or more.  Unsubstantial metal tables and chairs that had seen a better day were scattered across the linoleum floor and we found ourselves alone inside G's.  Christmas lights and colorful murals attempted to liven up the place.   It is clearly more of a bar than a restaurant with an abundance of sound equipment lining the outside walls, and would benefit from much dimmer lighting and perhaps even some fog that conceivably wafts up from the dance floor on Saturday nights.  I wouldn't call it a great "date place", but if fearless adventure is up your alley, G's is just the place to showcase your bravery.
 
No, G's didn't make a good first impression, but then I've never been to Jamaica past the touristy Dunn's River Falls.  Now that I think about it, maybe G's does reflect something true about a country that I know virtually nothing about.  What I do know something about is good food!  And G's has this in spades.  My curry chicken was mmm, mmm delicious.  I think I might have let a few mmm's escape my lips as I ravished my meal.  The braised cabbage and vegetables were outstanding as was the curry chicken.  Be wary of the bones when you chow down, close your eyes, and yeah!  I do feel a little tropical contentment as I lick my lips after a satisfying and unexpected meal.
Rating 4 of 5  (Hey--when you're this surprised it's ok to disregard the women's facilities, the service, and the heat.  Besides--was that G himself that came out to ask us how we liked his food?!)

G's Jamaican Quisine a Unique Experience

Mr. Ref here, this month we went to G's Jamaican Quisine and it was a little different that I expected.  It was not like most of the places we have been to so far.  It was a little warmer, it was not very full and the decor seemed like it had not been paid much attention too.  But the owner was very nice and spent time talking to us to see how we enjoyed our meal and tried to make sure everything was to our liking.  The food was good but it was not one of my favorite places so far.  I had G's Fried Chicken and it was good, I also had a salad and red beans & rice for my sides.  The red beans & rice was good also and was probably my favorite thing on my plate.  I did try a couple of other things from others, but if I was being honest the entire experience left me disappointed.  I gave G's Jamaican Quisine a 2.25 because I did find the food to be good, but I would recommend take-out if you want to try it.

Got a hankering for goat? Get to G's

Thursday the club went to G's Jamaican Quisine (that's right, with a Q) at 79th and Troost. The food was excellent. I had the Curried Goat which was very tasty and, as Grandpa perfectly put it, "Yes, that tastes just like goat." There were several side options: I picked the red beans and rice, which I highly recommend, and the braised cabbage. Oh that cabbage. It came with some greens too, and was buttery and seasoned just so. I could go on but I'll leave it at that. Top it all off with a Red Stripe beer and you have a tasty meal for a hot day.

I tried oxtail (yummy), jerk chicken (best entree on the menu, I think) and jerk salmon (tasty). Justin got fried plaintains which were delicious: if you make it to G's, try these babies, which are nothing like the banana chips I expected.

It seems like G's does a mean takeout business. Service wasn't great. But I give points because the proprietor ("G" maybe?) came out to talk to us after the meal and seemed genuinely pleased at our genuine pleasure. Also points for the little boy (G Jr.?) who brought us our waters when we arrived.  That's just cute.

The place is decked out with neon-colored airbrushed beach scenes. The black-and-white checkered tile floor reminded me of The Specials album we played for Luke before dinner.

I would get back to G's for takeout. Josh read they have live reggae shows on the weekends, which would be fun. Just make sure you grab some of that cabbage while you watch.

My ranking: 3.2 stars.

Hannah's Coven? No, that's not right. Janet's Dozen? Vanna's Somethin'?

And I made it.  Less than 24 hours before our next dining adventure, I have posted my review of last month's dinner, and avoided yet another round of appetizer's on me (actually, on me and Sara, since we share a checking account... sucker).

However, it has been a month since the dinner, and I have forgotten what I ate, if it was good, and where it was for that matter. So...

Hold on.  Idea! I am going to go back and look at the previous posts to see where we ate, and whether it was good.  Be right back...

Anna's Oven!  I was way off.  Well, according to the other reviewers it was very good.  There was wine and food.  Mom had rotisserie chicken, and I imagine if I had eaten some, it would have been awesome.  Probably would have been the best chicken I ever had that didn't come out of Grandpa's smoker. Sara had vegetarian lasagna, which I would have probably loved if I tried it. It would have been so good, I could have gone back for seconds or thirds.  I probably would have been wowed by the homemade, super-thin noodles.  But it isn't like me to eat other people's food, so it's doubtful that I tried either of those things.

But, what did I have?  I am going to play it safe and say I had something not too crazy, something like macaroni and cheese.  It was probably good - creamy and tasty - but not as good as Sara's lasagna or Mom's chicken.  Would I order it again?  Not likely - hypothetically, of course.  But, that's what I get for presumably ordering macaroni and cheese, with rotisserie chicken and lasagna on the menu.  But, oh, how tasty that chicken and lasagna would have been.  And with a little wine, rock! 

I hope it was the kind of place that's in a neat neighborhood where I have rarely been, like west 39th street or something, and has a laid back feel, cool art on the wall, and, to top it all off, maybe they donate a share of their profits to charity.  But what are the chances such a place could exist?  A fella can dream, can't he?  If Shannon's Cousin - no, no - Anna's Oven, Anna's Oven, Anna's Oven - if Anna's Oven was like that, I would give it a 4.6.

Buy your own appetizers, haters.  Wiercinski out.

Get to Know the Gas Club: July

Time for another thrilling installment of "Get to Know the Gassies." This month's pick goes to Josh, so we're featuring him. Learn about what makes this eager eater tick.

What is your favorite Kansas City restaurant?
PF Chang's and Cheesecake Factory

Of all the restaurants the dinner club has tried, which one would you like to eat again at most?
Grunauer

What’s the most delicious dish you tried at a dinner club outing?
The vegetarian lasagna at Anna's

What’s the most unique food you’ve ever eaten?
Rocky Mountain Oysters

Is there a particular ingredient that, if you saw it in a menu item, would make you choose that item right away?
Anything spicy

If you could banish any one ingredient or dish from the earth, what would it be?
Caviar

Is there a food that you enjoyed as a child that now you don't like?
White bread

Is there a food that you didn't like as a child that you now enjoy?
Spinach

If you could travel to any country for the sole purpose of eating, where would you go?
Thailand

If you could eat dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would they be? 
Barry Sanders, Albert Einsten and Jennifer Love Hewitt

Jamaican Me Crazy!

It's hot in Missouri this summer, and we Gassies need to escape the heat.

We are headed to a Jamaican restaurant for our July pick, thanks to Josh. We're looking forward to spicy jerk seasonings and cool island breezes (at least in our minds). Stay tuned for reviews of the mystery restaurant.

I should mention that we are on track to enjoy yet another tasty starter courtesy of the slacker member who hasn't yet posted his Anna's review. Stay cool, mon!