Menuism Featured Reviewer: mizzouatheart
Menuism reviewers are truly awesome! Whether they found an unexpected tasty gem of a restaurant or took it for the team after having a terrible meal, we truly applaud all their efforts in giving us the scoop on where we should be spending our hard-earned money on. On that note, I’d love to introduce you to those reviewers who we feel really contribute quality content to the site as well as quality information to fellow Menuism’ers. Our Featured Reviewer today is Karen, better known as mizzouatheart. So let’s learn more about Karen from Kansas City, MO.
1. How did you find out about Menuism?
I did a simple google search for food reviews and came across it.
2. What about Menuism first appealed to you?
I’ve always enjoyed assessing my dining out experiences and for some time my husband has encouraged me to do something with it. Menuism has become that outlet for me.
3. What restaurant did you write your first review about?
Lill’s on 17th in Kansas City. It is a fantastic little West Side restaurant in an old house with a beautiful brick patio. Lots of small plates and very dog-friendly. One of my favorite places to spend a beautiful, long evening with small plates and great sangria.
4. What is your food philosophy?
I believe that food is central to our culture and well-being. I seek out locally-grown or raised food and try to eat plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables and lean meat and seafood. However, as a Midwestern girl I relish the food traditions of my youth including homestyle dishes. I think that almost any food can be enjoyed in moderation and I am just as at home in an Ethiopian restaurant as I was in my grandmother’s kitchen as a child. We should celebrate variety!
5. What are your favorite restaurants?
I do not really have one favorite. I lived for five years in Austin, Texas and whenever I go back I have to eat at Chuy’s Tex-Mex, Hula Hut, a Hawaiian-Mexican fusion, and Kirby Lane Cafe, a breakfast-diner place. Here in KC, aside from Lill’s, my husband and I love to go to Osteria Il Centro, a neighborhood Italian place, and Room 39, a seaonsal new American concept. These days we tend to go to a lot of family-friendly places like Waldo Pizza, Cactus Grill and The Mixx (fresh salads and sandwiches) now because we have a 16-month-old son.
6. What are your favorite cuisines?
I could probably eat Mexican food every day of my life and enchiladas verde is my favorite so long as the tomatillos are fresh. I also love a simple but inventive salad, soup and sandwich menu! My favorite flavors, however, are Mediterranean and Provencal–lots of tomatoes, olives, lemons, fresh herbs, anchovies, capers. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it! My favorite foods are tomatoes and cheese.
7. What are your favorite comfort foods?
Fresh-picked corn on the cob and tomatoes from the garden, homemade macaroni and cheese, and my mom’s vegetable beef soup.
8. What is the best meal you ever ate and why?
That is really hard. I would say that the best meal I can remember right now was in San Francisco at Foreign Cinema in the Mission area. Eating for me is a combination of environment and cuisine. We sat in the courtyard and watched an old foreign movie being shown on the side of a building at dusk. We started with fresh oysters on the half-shell with the perfect mignonette. I ordered a divine duck breast served on top of a bed of well-seasoned lentils. We ended with a cheese plate that included a fabulous blue cheese drizzled with honey. Absolutely wonderful!
9. Do you have any favorite cookbooks (if any)?
No one favorite cookbook. I find that a local cookbook is the best souvenir from places I’ve traveled. I have cookbooks from my travels in Europe and throughout the American South. I love Junior League cookbooks in particular from the South. My husband is from Louisiana and bought me one of Emeril’s cookbooks from his restaurant there. I’m a fan of Food Network so I have some cookbooks by Giada DiLaurentiis and Rachel Ray. If you like to bake, I recommend Robin Rather’s cookbook from her “Rather Sweet” bakery in Fredericksburg, Texas. There’s a brownie recipe in there that is to die for!!!!
10. What words of encouragement would you give to first time Menuism reviewers?
Anyone can do this and that’s the whole point! I think it’s important to be descriptive and write with the five senses in mind since eating is a sensory experience.
If you’d like to be able to keep up with Karen’s reviews, click here to check out her profile!
If there is a Menuism reviewer who has rea’lly helped you make great dining choices and you’d like to see him or her be a Featured Reviewer, than be sure to message me or send me an email at abby@menuism.com.
By Abby C. Abanes
Menuism Community Manager
