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Denise Neil on Dining

Denise answers your questions about dining out in Wichita.

Denise Neil

Denise Neil covers the dining scene for Friday's Go! section, and she has reviewed restaurants for the Eagle since 2000. She also writes a Sunday column, which focuses on pop culture and entertainment relevant to 20- and 30-somethings in Wichita. Denise can be reached at (316) 268-6327 or dneil@wichitaeagle.com

Most Recently Answered Questions

Questions 1 - 15 of 776 (Page 1 of 40)

Submitted by Liz from Gomes

Q: Denise, Have you tried Marie's Bakery and Cafe in Twin Lakes Plaza? It's fabulous! Great home cooking, healthy food, clean as a whistle, and warm down to earth friendly staff. I was impressed. Liz

Answered 03/30/11 11:26:47 by Denise Neil

A: I haven't, Liz, but I always wonder about it when I drive by. Glad to hear it's good. For those who don't know, the full name is Marie's Bakery for Calorie Counters and it serves baked goods made with healthier ingredients as well as grilled sandwiches, soups and a salad bar. It's at 2106 N. Amidon and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 316-440-4430 or view the menu at mariesbakerycc.com.

Submitted by Amy from wichita kansas

Q: Does anyone have any information about a previously reviewed restaurant in an office building at Waco and Murdock? Name? Quality?

Answered 03/18/11 11:56:48 by Denise Neil

A: Amy: I think you're talking about the Waterside Cafe inside the Farm Credit Building at 245 N. Waco. I've never reviewed it, but I did write a blog post about it after trying it out this fall. The cafe is on the building's lower level and offers a salad bar, a sandwich bar with both hot and cold choices and a build-your-own entree station (stir fry, quesadilla, etc.) My salad was a great deal because the cafe charges not by the pound but by the container size, and I was able to get a ginormous salad for $3.95.

Submitted by Bill from Derby, Ks

Q: Will you be reviewing Wheat State Pizza in Derby?

Answered 03/16/11 14:23:27 by Denise Neil

A: I can't say for sure, although it's unlikely. I have so many restaurants to review in Wichita proper (just check out my always growing list on my blog) that I almost never get out of town. I am happy to let people know about the new restaurant, though, which opened last month (offering wheat crust!) at 236 W. Greenway and is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, check out www.wheatstatepizza.com. Has anyone been there? It sounds great, even though I'm a Pizza John's kinda girl.

Submitted by E.B. from Wichita

Q: Denise, My girlfriend and I have started in the past month a blog about our Wichita Dining adventures and are incorporating a "Dining By The Alphabet" feature. Two questions. Do you know any restaurants in the Wichita Area that start with the letter X? And any advice on blogging about food? You can check out our blog at http://www.wichitabyeb.com! Thanks

Answered 03/08/11 15:43:03 by Denise Neil

A: OH! Dining challenge. I love these. Though I gotta say, X is gonna be a toughie. We used to have an X-Kape Cafe, but it closed. I'm gonna say you'll have to get creative to get X done and maybe make an exception for King's X, a little diner at 2014 W 21st Street North. (Good breakfast, says my friend, Jaime.) Anyone else have any X ideas?

Submitted by Cathy from OP, KS

Q: Denise, does Wichita have a "restaurant week" when participating restaurants have special menus at special prices and a portion of that goes to Harvesters or some other local charity? It is a good way for people on a budget to try different restaurants while helping charities. I ask because my nephew lives in Wichita an I would like to visit during "restaurant week' and try out new restaurants in the Wichita area. Thanks, Cathy

Answered 03/02/11 14:42:50 by Denise Neil

A: Cathy, that is a great idea. I've been to restaurant week in Dallas, and it was lots of fun. I'm not sure who in Wichita would organize such an event, but I'll put it out there. Wichita does have a lot (and I mean A LOT) of events where restaurants gather and share samples of their menu items. One of the biggest is Zoobilee, an annual Sedgwick County Zoo fundraiser where restaurants and drink purveyors are spread throughout the zoo. It's in early September each year and has a $110 ticket.

Submitted by David Smith from Wichita, KS

Q: Regarding your post about Pig In Pig Out BBQ I was having lunch there Feb 23rd and I noticed a sign on the door about some kind of release regarding a television show being filmed. The place seemed even busier then usual and there was indeed a camera crew running around. I do not recall ever hearing or reading a title to the show but I as well can not find any info on the web regarding this.

Answered 03/01/11 13:24:18 by Denise Neil

A: I thought I was being told an untruth. Thanks.

Submitted by Shirley Riedmiller from Derby, Ks.

Q: Denise, we went to Dolci and Joes and the sweet potato fries were the best... also what is the name of the place just west of it...It is good too. thanks. Shirley Riedmiller

Answered 02/23/11 13:59:15 by Denise Neil

A: You are thinking of College Hill Deli at 3407 E. Douglas. They're a nice little duo of neighboring restaurants, aren't they? And did you know that Dolci and Joe's is now offering dinner from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays?

Submitted by James Harris from Andover

Q: Someone told me today that the show Man vs Food will be in town at Pig In, Pig Out. I looked on the web and can't find anything, have you heard anything on this?

Answered 02/23/11 13:56:29 by Denise Neil

A: James, well, this is interesting. I called over there just now and asked, and the girl who answered the phone gave me a very quick, "No, they're not." Her response was so immediate and rehearsed that my reporter's instinct tells me something is afoot. I will stay on top of it and let you know what I find out. If anyone out there knows anything...

Submitted by cpreynolds from Wichita, KS

Q: This is not a question but is in response to the question about Cafe Maurice. We have eaten there several times. The mushroom soup is great. I order it every time. The chicken sandwich has a great grilled flavor and garlic mayo is delicious. My husband swears by the hamburger and salad combo. I also highly recommend the chocolate hazelnut cake. However, all the desserts look awesome.

Answered 02/23/11 13:49:53 by Denise Neil

A: Thanks for the mini-review. Now I really want to get out there. (Cafe Maurice, by the way, is at 9747 E 21st St. N. (Bonnie Bing went there for lunch today, and I'm sitting here as I type waiting for her report.)

Submitted by Bernie from Wichita

Q: What is the name of the restaurant on 21st and Webb? I think Cafe is in the title. Have you reviewed it? Our lunch group is curious.

Answered 02/16/11 11:06:17 by Denise Neil

A: You're thinking of Cafe Maurice, which opened in Cambridge Market in October. I haven't reviewed it yet but hope to get there soon. It's reported to serve all types of Mediterranean and French dishes. You can get more info by calling 316-425-5762.

Submitted by Laurie from Wichita

Q: What happened to Sugar Sisters? There is a sign on the door that says "Closed at this location" and all of the tables and chairs are gone.

Answered 02/16/11 11:03:48 by Denise Neil

A: Sugar Sisters Bakery & Cafe closed in late January, the victim of money problems, owner Patty Sykes said. She sold all the equipment and abandoned the restaurant idea. But she hopes to reopen Sugar Sisters a wholesale bakery outlet in a new location. I'll let you know when that happens.

Submitted by jerry e. from wichita,ks

Q: Denise, Has there been any news about a reopening or a new location for Maharaja any time soon. There was an article last year that said that they were looking for a new spot. We are hoping that they've located a good one!!

Answered 02/09/11 09:25:15 by Denise Neil

A: Jerry: I spoke to a friend of the owner's, and he's very doubtful it will ever reopen in Wichita. When the owner returns from a trip to India, it sounds like he will pack up and move to Lawrence.

Submitted by Linda Hogan from Wichita Kansas

Q: Last night, I too found that Taste of Thai was open after about eight months of being closed getting their other new restaurant started. I had read the sign saying they would re-open but usually that just does not happen. Please let your paper readers know they are open and tasty as always, the wife is still the cook! Had my favorite, peanut curry with tofu and fresh spinach and broccoli over mung beans noodles with samosa appetizers. Same great taste, Taste of Thai is Tasty!

Answered 02/09/11 09:24:16 by Denise Neil

A: This place has a lot of fans. I'll have to get back there soon.

Submitted by phil Harris from Haysville, Kansas

Q: i realize that most of your subscribers live in Wichita and Derby, but Haysville has in the past 6 months attracted several new restaurants to the city. We never seem to see any of them critiqued or even given any column spaces. We have 2 mexican, 1 Bar B Que, a Bionic Burger ( newest addition), a diner and a full service cafe. Come down and take a look. This is from a city that only a year ago had a sonic, and a Johnny B's.

Answered 02/09/11 09:23:53 by Denise Neil

A: Phil: Thanks for letting me know. This is something I think about pretty often. Because there are so many restaurants constantly popping up in Wichita proper, I don't often get to restaurant news from surrounding communities. But it's good to have a reminder.

Submitted by Pat Sheets from Wichita, KS

Q: I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that Taste of Thai at 447 N. St. Francis is once again open! They were closed for a short time while they worked on getting Bangkok on Rock Road open. The Tom Yum has the biggest flavor in town! I just want to dive in & eat my way out. Taste of Thai - THE BEST!

Answered 02/02/11 09:35:42 by Denise Neil

A: Pat, you are right. Usually, when restaurants close, they're closed for good, in my experience. But Taste of Thai actually reopened! Now if only Frida's could follow their example...

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