THIRD STREET SOCIAL - PLAZA: SOFT OPENING

We are a family who is ready to drive from Olathe to Lees Summit to have our favorite Tomahawk Ribeye at Third Street Social! So when we attended the soft opening of the south  Plaza location of Third Street Social, you know our foodie's hearts were on a roll! For those of you who are unaware, the famous Tomahawk Ribeye for Two is a must-have for every steak lover. You have to call up a few hours in advance, to order yours. But I tell you, it's so worth it. You can have ribeyes, and you can have the tomahawk ribeye! Its served with a cheesy potato bake, a trio of sauces, and grilled asparagus! 

As you walk into the new location, you can’t miss the exposed brick walls, the plush booths, and the moody lighting. Oh, and that touch of green, was beautiful! Third Street Social is known for its unique spin on American comfort food, with its emphasis on Chef-driven menus and scratch kitchens. This is the eighth restaurant owned by the stellar team of local restaurateurs Andy Lock and Domhnall Molly and Culinary Director Po Wang! 

Since we always order the Tomahawk Ribeye, we decided to go a different route in exploring the menu. We started our dinner with the Korean Street Tacos. Both I and hubby love Korean barbecue, so it was really interesting to see bulgogi marinated steak, daikon slaw, and kimchi mayo! 

Since we dine out as a family more often than not, love a restaurant that has a good kids' menu. Rii opted for the Cheese Burger kids’ meal. When a picky eater finishes her meal and asks if she can order it again, you know it's good. 

Deb chose to go with the Shrimp and Crab stuffed Salmon. What's not to love in salmon, blue crab, brie cheese, and herb beurre blanc! 

I had to go with a steak of course - Black Angus KC Strip in all its medium-rare glory! 

Finished off the meal with Phyllo crusted Brownie and the Key Lime Pie! The food is just amazing, to say the least. Third Street Social is well known for its upscale classic American comfort food. Its also home to an expansive whiskey selection and house-made cocktails. 

Third Street Social is open on Main Street, south of the Plaza, on July 28 at 3pm! If you are looking for an option for your next date night or an evening out with your girlfriends, you know where to make your reservations.

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WHITE TOP & BLUE JEANS KINDA SUMMER : EXPRESS STYLE FILES

 

Few things spell out Summer as a white top and blue jeans! For this month’s featured outfit post with Express, I decided to rethink this combination! So here’s presenting a new version of the quintessential white Summer Top - The Relaxed Cross Fit Crew Neck Tee! Love how it fits my curvy body and is the perfect camouflage for my mom-pouch! Did I mention that my top is under $30! Now that’s a steal.

Balanced out the boxy-relaxed fit of the top with one of my favorite pairs of high-rise skinny jeans from Express. Love the fit and the dark wash. Took the white and blue memo further by pairing the outfit with blue statement earrings and blue denim mules. 

SHOP MY OUTFIT: 

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POPCULTURE KC : GOURMET POP CORN & ARTISAN ICE CREAM

 I know National Ice Cream day is over, but in our family, we love ice cream all around the year! So thought of introducing All of you to Popculture KC, if you didn't know them already. I was influenced by my blogger-friend Marcella of KC Metro foodie Mom, to check out this place! We headed to their location in downtown Overland Park.Popculture KC also has another location in Parkville, Missouri. They opened their second location – in downtown Overland Park, in the middle of a global pandemic. But I say, they are going strong!

Well, if you have quality products, you will create a following, no matter what. Popculture KC seems to fit that bill perfectly. Let’s talk gourmet popcorn and artisan ice cream. What’s not to love in that. Their gourmet popcorn also includes vegan, dye-free, and gluten-free options. Well, award-winning Chef Justin Woo and his wife Melody, who own Popculture KC, know how to create magic. 

The popcorn tasting wall is what makes even adults become kids in a candy store. My 8-year old daughter and my husband were both so happy when they started their tasting session off the tasting wall of gourmet popcorn. We might have come back home with a few bags of popcorn. Our current favorites include – Extra Cheesy and Jalapeno.

Let’s talk ice cream, shall we? I opted for Cherry Oblivion, as it’s not something I would usually gravitate towards. As I sat in the store enjoying my ice cream, I must have taken my role of being an influencer a bit too seriously. Jokes apart, it was so nice to see quite a few people ask the server,” I will have what’s he is having?” She being Me! 

 My husband opted for Purple Haze – black raspberry and dark chocolate! He said he loved it. Our daughter opted for Cookie Dough, and she thoroughly enjoyed hers. When you are at Popculture KC, you can get their current ice cream flavors in a cone, cup, or milkshake. I will try a milkshake next time.

So if you are looking for some fun things to do in this last leg of Summer, head over to one of the locations of Popculture KC for some gourmet popcorn and artisan ice cream.  

    

 

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MIXED MUTT CREAMERY : DOGGIE ICE CREAM & OTHER SWEET TREATS

 

It was National Ice Cream Day and Blaze spent it in style! Mixed Mutt Creamery is a female-woned local small business in Kansas City that specializes in ice cream for dogs! I had come across Mixed Mitt Creamery via social media, so decided to finally head there for Blaze! 

We picked up three flavors for Blaze to try, as we know he is or of the pickiest eaters. Their ice cream is lactose-free, wheat-free and contains only limited ingredients. Started off National Ice Cream Day with Barking Maple Bacon Ice Cream from Mixed Mutt Creamery. I must say that he loved it absolutely. Loved the fact that ice creams were in single-serve sizes, which made it perfect. 

Mixed Mutt Creamery not only has artisan doggie ice cream, but also sweet treats for humans like ice cream pints from Clementines, or handmade chocolate bars from Compartes. Clementines Naughty and Nice Pints was voted as one of the sexiest ice creams by Oprah in 2019. Mixed Mutt Creamery also have a range of gifts for pets, including bandanas, tags to dog beds, and toys! If you are a pet parent in Kansas City, then make are you take your pet for a special treat or two to Mxed Mutt Creamery! 

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CULTIVARE CROSSROADS: GRAND OPENING

Cultivare: Grains and Greens have a brand new location in Parlor KC, in the Crossroads Art District! So we decided to kickstart our 4th of July long weekend by heading that way. Cultivare had opened its first location during a pandemic. As part of their first anniversary celebrations, they decided to add another location, in a different part of the city. Culitvare is a fast-casual restaurant, which has redefined how we think of grains and greens. Healthy eating is something that we have all learned to appreciate. They are giving away a free year of greens to one lucky person, in their Giveaway!

It is interesting to see both of these places evolve with time. Did I tell you had covered the soft opening of Parlor KC when it opened a few years ago? Have loved going back there with friends and family. Parlor KC is a collection of several restaurants in a building(more like a food hall) that is designed to look like an apartment. If you wanted to read about it, then click here. 

Cultivare in Parlor KC is located on the main level, as you walk in. We found ourselves a comfy couch, and then it was time to check out the new menu. Yes, the new location of Cultivare has a new menu. Cultivare Crossroads menu will feature fan-favorites, like the Hanoi Chicken Salad and the Southwest Bowl, but also a few new items, like Steak & Gorgonzola Sliders and Chimichurri Steak Sliders, to cater to Parlor’s late-night crowd.

We decided to start our tasting session with the Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl. It is a Hawaiian-inspired bowl with poke, mangoes and is super delish. Cultivare grain blend(which I love), ahi tuna, avocado, mango, cucumber, sambal candied peanuts, citrus ponzu, sriracha mayo, black and white sesame seeds, micro cilantro. This is also a comparatively new item on the menu. I had tried it once at their Overland Park location and had fallen in love with it. So I knew I just had to order it. Are you one of those people who has their favorite items in their favorite restaurants which they always order? I am one of those.

The second item we tried was the Chimichurri Sliders! Petite beef tenderloin, grilled peppers and onions, and provolone cheese served on a sider roll, with chimichurri sauce. I mean what's not to love about that combination.

We had an amazing time at Cutivare Crossroads! It was good to try out the new items on the menu. It was also First Friday at the Crossroads Art District, which I haven't been to for some time now! Thanks, Culivare and TKG Agency for ensuring that our long weekend started on such a tasty note!

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PANACHE CHOCOLATIER - GRAND OPENING

 

What's sweeter than spending International Chocolate Day surrounded by chocolates! Panache Chocolatier laid out quite the spread with their chocolatey creations, to celebrate their reopening and their wins at the International Chocolate Salon! Panache Cholcatier creates hand-crafted artisan chocolates, which are available at their brick and mortar store, in the boutique shopping district - park Place, in Leawood, Kansas. 

Panache Chocolatier is known for its attention to detail, and for its high-quality ingredients. Their chocolate is sourced from Colombia and Belgium, to create their signature blend. From spicy chocolate to truffles, from chocolate popcorn to chocolate bars and so much more. Every chocolate creation is hand-dipped and made in small batches which accounts for its exclusive taste. 

“It is gratifying to have our small-batch chocolate bars and spicy chocolate bars recognized with top honors from The International Chocolate Salon,” says Julie House, co-owner of Panache Chocolatier. “And, especially given the challenging circumstances of the past year, to be named as one of the country’s best chocolatiers is a tremendous honor. But perhaps what is most humbling is the unwavering support of our customers and Kansas City.” It was so wonderful to meet Julie and Derric House, the owners of Panache Chocolatier, and hear about their inspiring journey. 

Speaking of attention to detail, every edible flower in these chocolate barks has been painstakingly paced with a tweezer. I can tell it was almost too pretty to bite into. Panache Cholcatoer uses no artificial flavors, or dyes, or preservatives in their choclates, or to make them glisten and shine. 

It was so amazing to learn of all of their collaborations with other Kansas City local businesses - be it Amigoni Wine, or Roasterie Coffee, or even Verdigris bar. I might be biased towards the amazing truffles which featured Amigoni Wines. Well, the chocolates were paired with a few wines from Amigoni winery, for the evening. They also pair chocolate and coffee, chocolate and bourbon, if you were planning a special occasion or a date night! 

It was so wonderful to taste some yummy chocolates with my family! As a family, we are huge chocolate fans, so the evening just got sweeter.  My husband loves his dark chocolates, and I and my daughter love our milk chocolates. I must add though that the dark chocolate at Panache, might have made me a convert. It's such a beautiful blend of Colombian d Belgium chocolates, that it will have you reach out for more. 

And of course, a sweet evening only got sweeter, when you meet some of your favorite fellow influencers! The pandemic has been hard, and its so nice to meet everyone slowly again. 

I will surely be back soon to pick up some more handmade chocolates! 

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