I had heard that Umi would be open today. On a whim, I took my two sons (ages 1 and 3 1/2) to have a teppanyaki style dinner. The interior of the restaurant is quite striking. There is a floral motif that runs throughout the restaurant, from a subtle pattern on the flooring to bold works of art on the walls. The women's bathroom has a really pretty red and silver tile on the walls. They definitely put a lot into the interior decorating!
As I noted, we chose the teppanyaki dinner (rather than dining from a menu that includes sushi, soba noodles, bento boxes, etc.) That area of the restaurant is bright and has clean lines. We were served a broth with mushroom and scallion as well as a salad with ginger dressing. The hibachi chef did a nice, entertaining job with the meal. Everything was as you would hope it would be for teppanyaki. If you haven't had it before, it's a fun meal where the chef cooks at your table, do fancy tricks, and serve you fried rice, sauted vegetables, and the meat and/or seafood of your choice. The staff was very sweet to me, trying to help entertain the boys.
Overall, I would say this is the best of the teppanyaki-style restaurants that I've visited in NE Kansas. I will go back again to try the sushi and, my favorite dish, age tofu. I'll remember to bring my camera with me when I go back.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sourcing Local Meats
Every Saturday morning is the Downtown Farmer's Market at the corner of 5th and Humboldt. You'll find vendors selling local meats, produce and baked goods. For more information on the market: http://www.localharvest.org/downtown-farmers-market-of-manhattan-kansas-M2177
One of the vendors at the market is Darrell Parks, of Parks Pasture Pork. You can get excellent quality, organic (though not packaged as such, since it is not butchered in an organic facility) pork from Darrell. This pork is some of the best I've ever tasted, and is raised in a very sustainable way. His farm is close to Manhattan, so you can go check out how the pigs are raised on pasture and buy from him and his wife, Donna, directly.
More information about Parks Pasture Pork:
http://www.kansasruralcenter.org/cwfp/parks.pdf
http://www.kansasrivervalley.com/producers/ps110.php
David Heidebrink has some very high quality (often grades out as prime) beef to offer. Like Parks, they sell by the pound at the Downtown Farmer's Market (Saturday mornings) and by the side and half-side. The beef is very well marbled and flavorful. In addition, he and his wife sell eggs, vegetables (this time of year it would be asparagus, arugula, spinach, etc.), jams, nuts and other products.
Here is info on contacting David and his wife Jamie:
http://www.localharvest.org/the-heide-way-farm-M26127
One of the vendors at the market is Darrell Parks, of Parks Pasture Pork. You can get excellent quality, organic (though not packaged as such, since it is not butchered in an organic facility) pork from Darrell. This pork is some of the best I've ever tasted, and is raised in a very sustainable way. His farm is close to Manhattan, so you can go check out how the pigs are raised on pasture and buy from him and his wife, Donna, directly.
More information about Parks Pasture Pork:
http://www.kansasruralcenter.org/cwfp/parks.pdf
http://www.kansasrivervalley.com/producers/ps110.php
David Heidebrink has some very high quality (often grades out as prime) beef to offer. Like Parks, they sell by the pound at the Downtown Farmer's Market (Saturday mornings) and by the side and half-side. The beef is very well marbled and flavorful. In addition, he and his wife sell eggs, vegetables (this time of year it would be asparagus, arugula, spinach, etc.), jams, nuts and other products.
Here is info on contacting David and his wife Jamie:
http://www.localharvest.org/the-heide-way-farm-M26127
Food Network Coming to Manhattan, KS!
Rumor has it that the Great Food Truck Race is coming to Manhattan, KS this weekend. Learn more about it here: http://blogs.pitch.com/fatcity/2011/05/the_great_food_truck_race_roll.php
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Imperial Garden Express
Imperial Garden Express looks like a basic Chinese takeout restaurant. I hadn't considered trying it, figuring it was just basic, American-style Chinese food. However, armed with a tip from a friend, I decided to give it a go. Here's the tip: they have a separate menu, handwritten in Chinese, with entirely different items than their American menu. So, I marched up to the counter, told them that I knew about the "secret" menu, and asked to see it. They showed me it. Which, of course, was no help to me, since I don't read Chinese. After a bit of discussion, I ordered a spicy beef noodle soup. It was delicious. The broth was deep colored and richly flavored with star anise and chile, lots of chile (read: this soup is spicy!)
In any case, this place is promising! I told him that there were Americans who would like to read the "secret" menu. I asked them to translate it. Hopefully, they will. Until then, your options are: 1) learning to read Chinese, 2) selecting from the Chinese menu at random, or 3) ask them to help guide you through the options. For the third choice, you might help them by telling them what kind of meat you want (chicken, beef, pork) and if you want something spicy, and if you want noodles or rice.
In any case, this place is promising! I told him that there were Americans who would like to read the "secret" menu. I asked them to translate it. Hopefully, they will. Until then, your options are: 1) learning to read Chinese, 2) selecting from the Chinese menu at random, or 3) ask them to help guide you through the options. For the third choice, you might help them by telling them what kind of meat you want (chicken, beef, pork) and if you want something spicy, and if you want noodles or rice.
View of the dining room.
The spicy beef noodle soup.
Imperial Garden Express
421 Tuttle Creek Blvd Manhattan, KS 66502
421 Tuttle Creek Blvd Manhattan, KS 66502
Hours :
10:30 am to 9:00 pm Everyday
10:30 am to 9:00 pm Everyday
Phone : (785) 537-1888
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Umi Update
Latest call to Umi. They said they will open May 18th. Though, given the number of times the opening date has changed, I wouldn't hold your breath! Let's hope it's worth the wait!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Mysterious UMI Coming Soon?
In the strip mall just east of Walmart the UMI Japanese Steakhouse has been under construction for several months. In December, I cornered a couple of their construction workers and they said "January" was the opening date. Their Facebook page says February. Four weeks ago, they said "in three weeks."
I just called them today. They said that they are opening at the "end of this month." Let's hope that's the case, because I'm eager to try this out. Peaking in the door, it looks like it will be beautiful. They have a nice website: http://umimanhattan.com/index.php where you can check out their menu. They have my favorite: age tofu! The prices look very reasonable. Now, if they would just open so that we can try the food!
I just called them today. They said that they are opening at the "end of this month." Let's hope that's the case, because I'm eager to try this out. Peaking in the door, it looks like it will be beautiful. They have a nice website: http://umimanhattan.com/index.php where you can check out their menu. They have my favorite: age tofu! The prices look very reasonable. Now, if they would just open so that we can try the food!
Sourcing International Ingredients
So, you've decided to make your home in Manhattan, KS? This is a wonderful decision. Manhattan has so much to offer: friendly people, rolling hills, a great university and more. But, Manhattan is a bit lacking in one important area: cuisine. Sure, we have a vast array of pizza, tacos and burgers. But, what if you want a bowl of pho, lamb vindaloo, or some kim chi?
If you're jonesing for some ethnic food, you have two choices: 1) drive a few hours, or 2) make it yourself. The first choice is bad for your carbon footprint. But the second choice will help you expand your horizons and could even make you friends (as long as you're willing to share!) Hosting a themed potluck can help you meet your need for spring rolls at the same time help you meet new friends. Don't know the recipes for your favorite foods? Both the Manhattan Public Library and the Hale Library at KSU have cookbooks that you can check out. In fact, Hale Library has a special collection of cookbooks with some very old and unusual books.
Once you have a recipe, there are plenty of places to buy your ingredients. My favorite is our newest International store: the Asian Market that is attached to the Chinese Buffet near Stagg Hill. They have a wonderful selection of items from China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India. This includes fresh items (e.g. lemongrass, curry leaves, taro root) and a great frozen selection (e.g. samosas, potstickers, shui mai.) The owner and staff are very friendly and accomodating. Recently, I bought some very nice mangos there.
In Aggieville, there is a store marked "Chinese Grocery" that sells, unsurprisingly, Chinese groceries. More surprisingly is that they make bubble tea and have a buffet of prepared dishes. They have fresh and frozen foods. I've purchased durian there that was quite good.
Another resource is "the secret Indian store" which is the gas station on the NW corner of the intersection of Bluemont and 3rd St. (just south of McDonald's.) The gas station is owned by an Indian couple who stock a selection of Indian foods. The owners are nice and accomodating, but the selection of Indian foods is smaller and more expensive than that of the Asian Market.
Finally, there is Yi's Oriental Market at 12th and Colorado streets. It seems to focus more exclusively on the foods of Japan, China and Southeast Asia (rather than on Indian cuisine.) They have a good selection of rice from different parts of Asia, as well as good supplies for making sushi and Korean food.
International Markets in Manhattan, KS
Asian Market (Apple Bites Top Pick)
2304 Stagg Hill Rd. # D
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)320-5177
Chinese Grocery
715 North 12th St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)320-7228
Little Apple Express (aka "the secret Indian store")
809 N 3rd St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)776-0175
Yi's Oriental Market
1030 Colorado St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)539-5849
If you're jonesing for some ethnic food, you have two choices: 1) drive a few hours, or 2) make it yourself. The first choice is bad for your carbon footprint. But the second choice will help you expand your horizons and could even make you friends (as long as you're willing to share!) Hosting a themed potluck can help you meet your need for spring rolls at the same time help you meet new friends. Don't know the recipes for your favorite foods? Both the Manhattan Public Library and the Hale Library at KSU have cookbooks that you can check out. In fact, Hale Library has a special collection of cookbooks with some very old and unusual books.
Once you have a recipe, there are plenty of places to buy your ingredients. My favorite is our newest International store: the Asian Market that is attached to the Chinese Buffet near Stagg Hill. They have a wonderful selection of items from China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India. This includes fresh items (e.g. lemongrass, curry leaves, taro root) and a great frozen selection (e.g. samosas, potstickers, shui mai.) The owner and staff are very friendly and accomodating. Recently, I bought some very nice mangos there.
In Aggieville, there is a store marked "Chinese Grocery" that sells, unsurprisingly, Chinese groceries. More surprisingly is that they make bubble tea and have a buffet of prepared dishes. They have fresh and frozen foods. I've purchased durian there that was quite good.
Another resource is "the secret Indian store" which is the gas station on the NW corner of the intersection of Bluemont and 3rd St. (just south of McDonald's.) The gas station is owned by an Indian couple who stock a selection of Indian foods. The owners are nice and accomodating, but the selection of Indian foods is smaller and more expensive than that of the Asian Market.
Finally, there is Yi's Oriental Market at 12th and Colorado streets. It seems to focus more exclusively on the foods of Japan, China and Southeast Asia (rather than on Indian cuisine.) They have a good selection of rice from different parts of Asia, as well as good supplies for making sushi and Korean food.
International Markets in Manhattan, KS
Asian Market (Apple Bites Top Pick)
2304 Stagg Hill Rd. # D
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)320-5177
Chinese Grocery
715 North 12th St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)320-7228
Little Apple Express (aka "the secret Indian store")
809 N 3rd St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)776-0175
Yi's Oriental Market
1030 Colorado St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785)539-5849
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