Lunch at Taste and See Global Cuisine

This week I headed over to Taste and See Global Cuisine for lunch.  This place is so good that I am compelled to go back and do a dinner post.  So this is my Taste and See lunch experience.

Owner and Chef Jason Febres is seriously talented.  Seriously.  He is creative, innovative, and puts everything into his entrees.  While I was there he was working on changing up the menu a little.  If you see Jason and think to yourself..."Where have I seen this guy?"  Let me help you. He has appeared on Food Network's Cutthroat Kitchen, Food Network's Guy's Grocery Games, and Spike TVs Bar Rescue.  Taste and see is open for lunch and dinner.  Dinner is the most creative of all the menus but we will leave that to part 2.  Lets start with the details:

Taste and See Global Cuisine
255 N. Washington
Open
Monday - Wednesday: 10am-2pm
Thursday and Friday: 10am-2pm, 5pm-10pm
Saturday: 5pm-10pm
Sunday: 10am-9pm
Executive Chef Jason Febres
General Manager Steven Bacci

The dining experience is great.  They kitchen is out in the open and the interior is unique and creative.

Lets get down to business...my lunch.  I started off with the Polenta Tots  This is a Euro American appetizer dish of golden cornmeal cubes, Asiago Cheese, pisto (yes "pisto" not "pesto") sauce and arugula.    These are really good.  The bad news is they are a summer menu item.  The good news is that they will come back but for now will be replaced with something Jason describes as even better.

Jason ordered up to plantain chips for me too.  Wow.  They are shaved very thinly and the menu describes "tanned with oil".  I don't know what the means but I do know they were light  and crisp.  The dipping sauce is a lime aoli sauce.

Just so you can see how light and crisp these are, you can see the light shining through the plantains!

What is great about the menu at Taste and See is it includes all types  entrees inspired by all different  genres of ethnic food... hence the name Taste ad See Global Cuisine.   I chose the S.S.B. which is a smoked salmon sandwich with Asian fusion.  To be specific... It's Norwegian smoked Salmon with a little lime taste.  It has avocados, wasabi creme cheese, a fried egg and melted Gouda cheese.  Super creative and super awesome.

I got the  mixed vegetable sides.  They were delicious but I am sad I didn't get their fries.  Man I love their fries.  I am more of a fry guy than a veggie guy...had to go healthy though.

My friend ordered the Pepito.  check this goodness out.

The Pepito has marinated flank steak, sauteed mushrooms, pico de gallo cilantro aoili, mozzarella and parmesan cheese with shoe string fries inside.  yes, all that awesomeness is in a hogie.  It was actually out waiters favorite and now I see why.  If you are in the mood for a salad try the Skinny Pink.

This is a steelhead filet of salmon glazed with ginger on top of plantain hashbrowns with carrots and cucumbers all on top of a bed of spinach mixed with manderine sesame vinagerette.  

The presentation shows you how much they care about the artistry and creativity of their food.  You will be impressed with the presentation but you will be wowed by the taste.

Finally we ended with dessert.  I honestly don't remember what this is called but it is  two slices of fried banana  rolled in brown sugar, cinnamon and spices.  Then, Jason deep fries the roll in a cinnamon and sugar mix.  It is served with pineapple syrup in a side of cheesecake sauce.  The plate was garnished with Nutella.  Wow.  You have to try these.  

I have given you enough reason to run over to Taste and See as fast as you can and try it out.  This place is truly unique and it is this type of place that helps put local Wichita on the map.

New Local Restaurant: College Hill Deli

Last week I broke the rainy day blues by heading over to a new restaurant the College Hill Deli.

This is not brand new.  It has been around for a little while but it still fits in my category of new.  The name says "deli" but it is so much more.  Yes you can get a great sandwich but its really a great Mediteranean Deli to add to your "to eat at" list.  They also offer catering and delivery services.

Its a small eating area and if its sunny outside the seating outside is great.  Its cozy and fun and the people working are very friendly.

I took a few friends and this was what we ate for lunch.  Well, we actually started off with an appetizer of hummus.  It really is a must on your first try...then branch out and get something else for an appetizer.  I am sure they are all good but you must try the hummus.

I ordered the Beef Shawarma. 

Many people have have heard of shawarma but I dare say many have not tried it.  You most likely were introduced to it watching the end of the Avengers Movie where IronMan wanted to try shawarma.

After...or before you save the world, be like IronMan and try it.  It's good.  If you are not a beef fan you can get chicken shawarma.  You can also add the chicken shawarma to the humus appetizer making the hummus even more exceptional.  Anyway, here was my lunch.  You get a side and I got the caesar salad.  You know, I like to mix up my ethnic food genres on one plate.

My friend ordered a Bierock Pie.

Here is before the bite....

Here is an inside look.  He also ordered the fattoush salad as his side.

My other friend ordered the fattoush salad as her lunch.  She claims it is her "go to"...light and awesomely delicious.  Her words...I promise.

There are many desserts to choose from and we got lemon cake.  It looks orange but its lemon cake.  It was good and had great icing.

If you want to check out College Hill Deli's full menu click here.  It could be a great dinner out or a great place to snag lunch.  I have never tried their catering or delivery services.  If you have comment below because I would love hear about your experience!

Local Lunch for $5: Sport Burger

Today I want to share with you my favorite local burger place in East Wichita.  Its my first post in a series called Local Lunch for $5.  Welcome to Sport Burger located  at 134 N Hillside.  It is located directly on Hillside between Douglas and Central.

134 N Hillside, Wichita Kansas

Its a tiny little drive-thru burger joint that you might miss if you fly by on Hillside.   Believe me, you don't want to miss it.  Why would anyone want to miss the home of the cheeseburger?  

If the cheeseburger lives here then I am here.  Yes you might find a cheeseburger somewhere else in Wichita...but you are not going to find THIS $1.39 cheeseburger.  I don't go to Sports Burger because its cheap.  I go because its good.  My tastebuds and my wallet thank me for eating here.

 In fact, I love it so much it is one of the only restaurants saved in my phone.  I summon Siri and she knows my request when I say those wonderful words "Sport Burger".  

Here is how you can experience Sport Burger.  You pull in line and order your food.

Here are your options.

Don't be discouraged by the line.  It will not go as fast as other drive thru orders but your wait will not be long. (Unless you are in the car behind me when I am trying to blog.)    The reason is the owner is cooking your food fresh.  Your lunch is not waiting for you in a warmer...it is made fresh to order.  Your meat is literally thrown on the grill when you order it.  Sometimes your fries are so fresh you have to wait a few minutes to put them in your mouth!

If you don't have a car.  That is okay...there is a walk up menu to.  Just walk up to the window!

When you get to the window you will be greeted by your short order chef...Ronnie.  Ronnie is the owner.  It's not everyday you get the owner cooking your lunch.  If its not him, its one of his family members.  There is not a nicer guy than Ronnie in Wichita.  

Somehow the nicest guy in Wichita married the most joyful gal in town.  Her name is Connie.

The love what they do and they make a seriously good burger.  After you get your food, its time to find a place to eat.  There are a few picnic benches available behind the building to sit at during a pretty day.  I left,  and sat down with some friends. Here is my lunch today:

Four bags of bugers and fries and two drinks.  I ate all of it.  Just kidding.  Here was my lunch.

I had the Grand Slam Burger and Fries.  I chose to go double meat which puts you in the $2.00 category instead of the $1.39.  Well worth it.  Sport Burger burgers (single or double) are classic short order burgers with cheese with cheese and onions.  You are getting a grilled "diner style" burger with tons of flavor.  The fries are thicker cut and crispy.  No soggy fries here.  Ronnie does not allow it.  For all you guys out there I suggest an order of two singles and some fries.  Add a soda or sweet tea and you have a great lunch for around $5.

Ladies a single for $1.39, fries, and a soda will set you back less than $5

If you like onion rings you are in luck. In my opinion great onion rings hold their form but are not to hard.  Crispy battered onion rings are found her at sports burger.  They are not skimpy on size either.

 Sport Burger is my favorite pick for Local Lunch for $5.  You do need to go if you have not tried it.

Happy Burger Eating!

Local Eats: Thai Traditions

Today I headed to Thai Traditions with a few friends.  Its a local lunch spot I like to frequent so I thought I would share it with you.

Its located in East Wichita at 650 North Carriage Parkway #120.  Basically, its off of Central between Woodlawn and Edgemoor Street. Its tucked away from the street...but aren't those the best finds?   It's a great little lunch and dinner restaurant for Thai food.   Lunch prices for an entree are between 7-9 and it gets a couple dollars pricier at dinner time.  Check out the inside

I don't know if it counts for much, but in my honest opinion, Thai Traditions is the best Thai food in Wichita.  First up on the order were two appetizers.  I always get the Crying Tiger appetizer.  It is delicious marinated beef served with Thai Traditions salsa.  

The Crying Tiger is just so good that I cannot bring myself to try another, but since I was eating with friends I ordered the Chicken Satay.  The Chicken Satay is traditionally marinated chicken breast served with some seriously good peanut sauce with a side of cucumber relish.

Then our entrees came out.  Here was lunch today.

If you don't know about Thai food you don't know that you can pick your spice level.  Thai food can be "knock your socks off", "I am sweating bullets as I eat" hot. If that is your thing...you can order every dish this way. Some are naturally spicy but you can tell in the order, you know, when it uses the word "spicy". They ask you at your order your intensity level. If you like spicy you can order it.  If you fear spicy, you can avoid it.  My friends and I... we avoided it.  I think we disappointed our chef because he brought their spicy tray to challenge us to try it.

Top to Bottom/Left to Right:  Jalapeno Vinegar, Crushed Red Pepper,  Chili Fish Sauce, Chili Sauce

One of us dared to try the Jalapeno vinegar on his entree.  He avoided the Jalapenos but added the vinegar sauce.  It made his entree a little sweeter.  Speaking of entrees, lets talk about what is sitting in my belly right now.

I ordered traditional Pad Thai.  It is my favorite.  It has noodles, Thai Traditions really great peanut sauce, chicken, shrimp and lots of other good stuff.  You can have spring rolls or you can switch them out with crab rangoon...which is what I did.  If you are a tentative Thai food eater.  Pad Thai is always a safe but delicious option.

My friend Doug ordered the Spicy Peanut Chicken.  Doug was the strongest of us all, ordering a naturally spicy item on the menu.  It has chicken, peanut sauce, peanuts, veggies and pepper.  They do a good job of spreading out the spice to make it not blazing hot. The next lunch entree we tried was Pad See Eew

Pad See Eew has pan fried flat noodles, chicken, and broccoli in a light sauce.   Flat noodles are a staple of Thai food so this one is worth a try.  

If you like Mushrooms you should try the Mushroom dish.  It has all different kinds of mushrooms and onions sauteed in a light Thai sauce. Any or all the entrees you can choose chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu as an add in.  If you are a vegetarian that doesn't like tofu, you can choose none!

If you like Thai food, head down to Thai traditions.  The service is great and you will get your food in the perfect amount of time.  If you don't know if you like Thai food...try Thai Traditions because it's the best in Wichita and you can use chop sticks.

...or feed others with chop sticks.

Not sure what is going on behind us....