Search Forums

Advanced Search

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 687 (Page 1 of 35)

Submitted by Al Liguori from Wichita KS

Q: When it comes to off the beaten path Italian restaurants, how can you not mention NAPOLIS in North Newton. If you are a fan of veal marsala, or other veal dishes this is the place to go. And you will not pay $30, or even $15 for it.

Answered 02/03/10 16:19:32 by Denise Neil

A: You are the second person in a week to mention Napolis, which my research indicates is at 1607 N. Main in Newton. Haven't made it to Newton for dining reasons since The Spartan closed years ago but will have to reconsider that now.

Submitted by Jack from Wichita

Q: Denise -- are any local restaurants doing anything special for Valentine's Day? I'm trying to decide where to take my wife.

Answered 01/26/10 15:47:09 by Denise Neil

A: Jack: I'm at the moment collecting info from restaurants offering Valentine's Day specials, which I'll print either on Feb. 5 or Feb. 12. Lots of places offering specials -- Uptown Bistro, Sabor, the Broadview, etc. And Tommy's is opening up special, even though they're normally closed on Sundays.

Submitted by Antoinette from Wichita, Ks

Q: Thanks so much for mentioning Marchello's!!I was going to come on here to ask if you had been there and that was the first thing I see. I absolutely love them, and their staff remembers us and it's a great place. And I'm glad you mentioned DeFazio's as well!

Answered 01/26/10 15:36:02 by Denise Neil

A: Yum. Now I'm craving a big, melty pan of WichItalian lasagna.

Submitted by Philip from Wichita

Q: Denise, Wanted to know your favorite (off the beaten path) Italian restaurant in Wichita. No Chains Please!(Olive Garden does not count).

Answered 01/20/10 10:37:30 by Denise Neil

A: For me, it’s Marchello’s at 3107 South Seneca. I love the pizza, and it offers a big menu of everything from lasagna to chicken Marsala. It's doesn't have a fancy atmosphere, but it's cozy. I also like family-owned DeFazio's at 2706 North Amidon, and a lot of local foodies love Luciano's in Mulvane, if you're up for a drive.

Submitted by Bernard Krkosska from wichita,ks

Q: I want to know when is Dyne Quik(north broadway,wichita,ks) will be open in 2010? Did you publish an article about new owners and menu?

Answered 01/13/10 11:27:14 by Denise Neil

A: We were told that they were going to reopen but have been unable to reach them since. The man reopening it was due for surgery, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was delayed. Will keep checking.

Submitted by Jeff from Wichita, KS

Q: I was wondering if you had heard if the rumors were true that Sabor in the Waterfront was closing? I had dinner there a couple weeks ago and heard some whispers about it from a couple of friends when I told them I had eaten there.

Answered 01/13/10 11:26:25 by Denise Neil

A: We are hearing the same whispers, but biz columnist Carrie Rengers put the chef and owner on the spot last week, and they both insist it's not true. If something changes, we'll let you know.

Submitted by Eliana from Wichita, KS

Q: Bangkok, on S. Rock Road, is closed due to a kitchen fire last January. Do you know if Bangkok will re-open or is it closed indefinitely?

Answered 01/05/10 17:00:49 by Denise Neil

A: I finally spoke to one of Bangkok's neighbors, and then its landlord, and it does not appear that the former owners of that restaurant are going to be able to re-open it after all. The landlord is in talks with a few other restaurateurs interested in the space, though. He may have more news by the end of the month, and I'll check back.

Submitted by Mona C. from Wichita

Q: My husband is wondering if there is a good place to eat chili. We can't think of any places to try. Thanks!

Answered 12/30/09 11:40:03 by Denise Neil

A: A lot of the highest regarded chili in Wichita is served at fast-food type places. Nu-Way's chili is legendary, and I've heard good things about Freddy's Frozen Custard's, too. (A friend of mine even swears by the chili at Wendy's.)You also should try Old Mill Tasty shop at 604 E. Douglas. It serves traditional chili daily, but you should really try the green chili -- a fabulous creation served with a giant tortilla and a couple of tubs of butter on the side.

Submitted by Hal Durham from Hutchinson,Ks

Q: What was the name of the private club a few weeks ago. You had to be reconmended by a member. I thought it was the Lamp?????. It had the old velvet wallpaper with flowers I think. You talked about it in the last month but I can not seem to find the article.

Answered 12/22/09 11:42:48 by Denise Neil

A: You're thinking of The Candle Club at 13th and Woodlawn. You can still read the story for the time being by following this link: http://www.kansas.com/entertainment/dining/story/1080352.html

Submitted by Mary Beth from Wichita

Q: Do you know where I could get dim sum on Christmas Day?

Answered 12/16/09 11:58:38 by Denise Neil

A: As a matter of fact, I do. Tom's Lotus Garden at 822 S. Broadway from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will serve dim sum (a variety of small Chinese dishes served in succession)that day.

Submitted by Nancy from Wichita, KS

Q: Can you recommend a restaurant for Christmas Eve dinner on the west side?

Answered 12/16/09 11:19:28 by Denise Neil

A: The west side is pretty chain heavy, and some of those restaurants will be open Christmas Eve. You could get a nice meal at Ted's Montana Grill at 2142 N. Tyler, which will stay open until 9 p.m. Firkin & Bull at 2441 N. Maize Road (which serves hearty American and British fare), will seat customers until 7 p.m. Also, Olive Garden at 2641 N. Maize Road, will be open until 8 p.m. Many other places are closing early, though, between 4 and 6 p.m.

Submitted by Michelle from Pratt,Ks

Q: Dear Denise, My Husband and I would like to take our two pre-teens to dinner on Christmas day.We are looking for a Semi-Formal setting.What restaurants would you recommend?

Answered 12/09/09 13:32:09 by Denise Neil

A: Michelle: I'm going to be publishing the where-to-eat-on-Christmas Day story on Friday, Dec. 18. In the meantime, I can make some recommendations based off last year's list. Kwan Court at 1443 N. Rock Road usually has a nice Chinese buffet that also includes American favorites. Last year, the Cinnabar Cafe inside the Marriott at 9100 Corporate Hills Drive also served a buffet, as did the Harvest Kitchen/Bar, inside the Hyatt Regency.

Submitted by Mark from Wichita

Q: Denise, your response to Matt was not fully accurate. CF has restaurants in Boise, ID and Des Moines, IA. These are smaller cities than Wichita. Omaha also got a CF, and it's only marginally more populous than Wichita. The corporation looks at demographics and already-established restaurants and tries to assess whether people would provide enough patronage to generate profitability. CF is a nice family restaurant, for a chain, not too much more expensive than Applebee's or Chilis, with classier ambience. and quieter. Very good food for a chain. Excellent for a chain IMHO. The one in OP is doing fine, despite "invading Applebee's Home Turf". Denise, you need to understand that achieving full tables, and fast turnover is great for restaurant investors, and maybe nice for not-so-great-cook working-job moms wanting a night off, but it's not pleasant for people wanting a relaxed, extended-time dinner. Such as "taking up a table" for an hour or an hour and a half, and not having wait-staff trying to "move you along" and get you out to make a place for somebody else. That's not how great restaurants (from discerning patrons point of view) work.

Answered 12/09/09 13:18:55 by Denise Neil

A: Mark: Thanks for your insight. This is all pretty interesting. Are you in the restaurant biz?

Submitted by Matt from Wichita

Q: Has there been anymore rumors about a Cheesecake Factory coming to the Wichita area?

Answered 12/02/09 11:18:32 by Denise Neil

A: There are constantly rumors about a Cheesecake Factory, but to the best of our reporting abilities, we've been able to determine that this is just one, giant, massive, huge case of Wichita wishful thinking. Officials for the company have not changed their story for years -- Wichita is not a big enough market for them to consider. Should this ever change, we will let you know. But if it does, prepare for citywide jubilation unlike you've ever seen.

Submitted by Dennis from Wichita KS

Q: What ever happen to the Eaton Steakhouse?

Answered 12/02/09 10:28:24 by Denise Neil

A: Eaton Steakhouse owners Steve and Stephanie Compton were evicted from their space at 523 E. Douglas more than a month ago for failure to pay rent. Our biz columnist Carrie Rengers has heard that the owners are looking at another spot on Douglas, but there's no confirmation of that yet.

Ask a question
Your Name:
Your Location (City, State):
Your Email Address:
Receive more information from this Expert?
Your Question: