603272 Thu Mar 12 15:16:58 -0700 2009 11 8 Midwest 0 4499181 http://www.kansascity.com/637/story/1078547.html Any opinions on these places? I've never heard of Swagger, so I'm interested to hear about that one. I still haven't made it to JP Wine Bar, but maybe that will be my birthday present this year. Thu Mar 12 15:16:58 -0700 2009 12813 Katie Nell 1 4499214 i know that swagger doesn't look like much from the road! it's at the end of a fairly dated strip at the corner of 85th and wornall. i do remember reading they were going to update and improve it from what it was - so i've been waiting for a sign to go up or some other sign that it wasn't just a beer joint. Thu Mar 12 15:26:46 -0700 2009 4499181 141043 jdl98 2 4499228 I'm going to have to drive by it tonight- I just can't picture it. Thu Mar 12 15:31:50 -0700 2009 4499214 12813 Katie Nell 3 4499446 It's just a door or two north of Mike's liquor. I've definitely got to check that place out- Cuban sammich! Thu Mar 12 16:34:05 -0700 2009 4499228 270090 inbiz 4 4826939 see my review on another thread - cuban sandwich was killer. Fri Jul 03 06:59:30 -0700 2009 4499446 141043 jdl98 3 4499968 We drove by tonight, but I don't know... I'm just not comfortable with places that I can't see inside the windows! I'm afraid I'm going to walk in and all these long-bearded biker guys are going to turn around and stare at me, and say "you lost, little missy?" I know, vivid imagination, but it just looked a little creepy to me! Thu Mar 12 19:42:12 -0700 2009 4499228 12813 Katie Nell 1 4499866 JP Wine Bar is fun, but the wine prices are over the top. I was there two weeks ago and our server told us the wine prices would be lowered 10 to 15 % in the coming weeks. I hope so. I find paying 11 bucks for a glass of wine that retails for 16 bucks a bottle a bit much. The small plates were good. They serve very inventive and delicious cheese plates. We had a rare tuna sandwich that was terrific. Thu Mar 12 19:07:56 -0700 2009 4499181 12658 zataar 2 4499894 El Pulgracito (sp?) is quite good. It's the Salvadorean place off Johnson Drive at Merriam. We had tamales and papusas with their version of horchata. Just wonderful! The pickled cabbage on each table was great. Thu Mar 12 19:14:41 -0700 2009 4499866 12658 zataar 3 4509450 It's "El Pulgarcito," which I looked up after I first heard about this place. It translates as "Tom Thumb" and is the name of a spanish language magazine that was sort of like Reader's Digest, but I have no idea if they named the restaurant after the magazine. The pickled cabbage is called "curtido" and is pretty much served with everything in El Salvador, apparently. Good stuff, eh? Mon Mar 16 10:21:53 -0700 2009 4499894 24126 amyzan 2 4519357 I'm very, very hesitant to criticize any restaurant, but as much as I like JP's concept, I believe their pours are **extremely** short, especially in the wine flights. It's not a place for the budget-conscious. The small plates are a pretty good value, though. Thu Mar 19 09:57:19 -0700 2009 4499866 130151 dmd_kc 1 4500730 Café Venezuela, was good, the owner changed the name to Cafe Colao and made some changes to the menu last fall. But it is now Café Rice & Beans. Has anyone been to this new version? http://www.kansastravel.org/cafevenezula.htm Fri Mar 13 06:05:41 -0700 2009 4499181 234061 KansasTravel 2 4500997 We have been to the new version and found it as friendly as ever. The food was wonderful with more Cuban emphasis. We're going again tomorrow for lunch. Fri Mar 13 07:37:02 -0700 2009 4500730 10103 BChow