Austrian Done Well

This month was a revisit to a favorite, Grunauer, one of the best restaurants in Kansas City.  I had spinach cheese stuffed schnitzel.  The breading on the schnitzel, was light, not overpowering the tender meat,   The filling complemented the meat, perfectly.   I also had a side of the red cabbage with apples, though I am not a big cabbage fan,  this cabbage dish would convert the most reluctant of cabbage eaters.   I tried several of the other dishes and each was delicious.  I give a 4.6/5

Grunaeur Will Never Disappoint

Mr. Ref here, it has been awhile since I have been able to accompany my family to a GAS club outing.  Yes, I have been busy refereeing.  This is my fourth visit to Grunaeur and it still does not disappoint me.  I love this kind of food, brat's and sausages, with sauerkraut and red cabbage.  As always they provide some taste mustard and a horseradish sauce to eat with the meats.  Mrs. Ref & I will continue to visit Grunaeur for years to come.  I, again, gave Grunaeur a 4.5 out of 5.

Salmon, German Style

This is my 4th visit to Grunaeur and so I decided to try something decidedly NOT German (at least in my mind) so ordered the Salmon.  But it was German or Austrian so it was served over creamy, Savoy cabbage with a pistachio relish.  Can't say I noticed the pistachios, but the relish gave an unexpected firey splash to the tasty, salmon.  But the real star of this dish was the creamy cabbage.
Often when I return to a restaurant, it is something very specific that calls my name.  I recall V's Restaurant of old that had the most delicious pumpernickel croutons and this is what kept me coming back for years.  The Bristol has the cheddar biscuits. 
Grunaeur knows cabbage ridiculously well!  What is secret to their cooked cabbage?  I'll never know, but I would drive downtown in a tornado for that creamy cabbage! 
Final score 4 of 5

Look at that Basil! It's so hot!

Last month was mom's pick and we went to Hot Basil, which one of my officemates said was the best Thai in Johnson County.  And, the fact that it is the only Thai I have had in Johnson County notwithstanding, I have to agree.

The place is subtly contradictory.  The inside setting is nice; with cloth napkins and water served in wine glasses, it is easy to forget that you are in a strip mall next to a liquor store, with a view of the Meineke.

But, who cared about the outside, when the food and company was inside.

I had the hot basil duck, which was very good.  I think it was a quarter duck, with great spices, sauces and rice.  I also think I ate more of mom's pad thai than she did.  But my favorite dish was Sara's soup.  I don't remember what was in it, but it was great.  The appetizers were good also - we had spring rolls and crispy tofu, and something else, I think.  And the Thai iced tea was great.

The waiter was very friendly, and they kept the waters full, which is super important at Thai places.

I give Hot Basil a 4.0 out of 5.
 

HOT BASIL

May was Thai food at Hot Basil and HOT it was.   I ordered the Pad Thai, medium and it was almost to hot for me to eat.  I like spicy food, and this was excellent Pad Thai, but next time I will order mild.  The restaurant was in a strip mall in Overland Park,  pleasant enough, but nothing special.   Our table was in a little alcove which was nice, though the restaurant was not very full, so noise was not an issue.
We began with some appetizers, crab rangoon, spring rolls and fried tofu.  All were very good,  the fried spring rolls, especially.
Besides the Pad Thai that most people ordered, Sara ordered a soup that was to die for.
Our waiter was excellent, and have found this to be the case at most restaurants we have visited.
I give Hot Basil a 4.1 and would definitely go back

I like me some spice

SO as we all know spice is my life if I aint sweating it wasnt spicy enough! Now this place delivered on the spice as i was one of the very few that didnt order pad which i did try and it was very good i understand why they would get it but i ordered the spicy garlic shrimp which was amazing spicy where i could taste it but it was flavorful not just hot! which is what happens a lot of times when you ask for some serious spice! So after some amazing apps and some tasty food and of course some great beer i was stuffed and as usual got to take gramps leftovers home with me to have another amazing meal the next day. I really enjoyed this place and would def go back since it is so close to my work! 4.2 for me!

Last month we went to Hot Basil in Overland Park.  People owed appetizers so we got to enjoy spring rolls, friend tofu and crab Rangoon before our meal.  I really enjoyed all three of the appetizers.  They each were great with different dips to dip them in.  The crab rangoon was very light and tasty.  The spring rolls were very refreshing and great flavor.  I ordered a Japanese beer as well as a Thai iced tea.  The Thai iced tea was delicious, so refreshing! For dinner I didn't step out of my comfort zone and I stuck with what I always get, pad Thai.  I go it with mild spice and with chicken.  I really enjoyed my meal.  I thought it was just the right spice and tons of flavor.  I really always enjoy Thai food, and wish I it more often.  The atmosphere was kind of bland, it was in a strip mall and nothing special about the decor, however the service was phenomenal!  I thought our waiter was very attentive and helpful.  I give Hot Basil a 4.1/5.0.