Charles Ferruzza

Where Are The Best Places To Dine Outside In The KC Area?

Matthew Long-Middleton — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:36:19 +0000

In Kansas City it's expected that the weather will jump from snowy, to balmy, to sultry in a matter of weeks.

But now that we're firmly into spring, and summer is just around the corner, restaurants are opening their outdoor patios, decks, balconies, rooftops and sidewalk seating.

Many diners love the opportunity to dine al fresco, surrounded by the beauty of nature – or asphalt parking lots. Other Kansas City diners see outdoor dining as a nightmare of bugs, noise, cigarette smoke and gawking strangers.

Food Critics: Soul Food

Matthew Long-Middleton — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 22:22:41 +0000

In her book The Soul of Southern Cooking, Kathy Starr calls soul food "generous and earthy, like the people who created it. I'm not talking about small slivers of skinned chicken breasts surrounded by miniature carrots and radishes cut like roses. I'm talking about something to eat!" In Kansas City you'll never walk out hungry from one of this town's soul food restaurants or buffets. Classic southern cuisine like fried chicken, greens, macaroni and cheese, and peach cobbler are soul-soothing dishes. They may not be so good for your waistline, but they're nirvana for your spirit. Food Critic Charles Ferruzza, Emily Farris, Gloria Gale and Mary Bloch explore the best soul food of the city.

Your Memories of Walt Bodine

Bill Anderson and Matthew Long-Middleton — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Walt Bodine, legendary Kansas City broadcaster and icon of the city, died Sunday at the age of 92. To celebrate the life and career of Bodine, Central Standard invites his fans, friends and colleagues to call in and share their memories of former Walt Bodine Show host both on and off the air.

Food Critics-Bakeries

Matthew Long-Middleton — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:57:15 +0000

Kansas City has always been a great place for baked goods. Cakes, pies, cream puffs and breads have all been important to the growth of this town as a cosmopolitan and corpulent community. On this episode of Central Standard Friday Charles Ferruzza, Mary Bloch, Emily Farris, and Gloria Gale extend their forks to all parts of the metro to uncover the best bakeries offering the most decadent doughnuts, the crustiest baguettes, and the flakiest cinnamon rolls.

Food Critics: Belly-Busting Buffets

Matthew Long-Middleton and Monica Sandreczki — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:09:34 +0000

Buffets: you either love them or hate them. And in a tough economy, the idea of an all-you-can meal can sound alluring, even if the choices can be more about quantity than quality. On today's Central Standard Friday, we'll fill our plates up with suggestions for the best, the cheapest and the most unusual buffets in Kansas City. Today's food critics are host Charles Ferruzza, Chris Becicka, Mary Bloch and Emily Farris.

Wine, Shrimp, Camaraderie: Food Critic Remembers JJ’s Restaurant

Sylvia Maria Gross — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 06:03:31 +0000

Local and federal officials are trying to piece together exactly what happened last Tuesday evening, when a natural gas leak led to an explosion just west of the Country Club Plaza. The explosion and resulting fire at JJ’s restaurant killed one woman, and injured 15.

The Food Critics: Restaurant Etiquette

Matthew Long-Middleton — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:33:58 +0000

There are a number of social land mines that can be tripped in restaurants. How is the best way to handle a declined credit card, or when do you send something back to the kitchen? On Central Standard Friday food critics Charles Ferruzza, Mary Bloch, Emily Farris and Gloria Gale tackle this subject and all the new restaurants of KC.

Eating Alone In KC

Matthew Long-Middleton — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:56:44 +0000

Meal time is almost always a social time. However, there are instances when a meal alone can be just as relaxing and refreshing as it would be with friends and family.

But, where can you go and eat alone without feeling on display or actually feeling alone? Where can you eat surrounded by strangers, but feel as if you're in the comfort of your home?

The Food Critics will show you the best places to eat out alone. This week's panel includes host Charles Ferruzza of The Pitch and Fat City Blog, Mary Bloch of Around the Block, Emily Farris of Feed Me KC and Chris Becicka of Ingram's Magazine.

Eating Healthy In The New Year

Jeffrey Harvey and Charles Ferruzza — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:52:17 +0000

We're 11 days into the new year. How's that resolution to eat better going?

Dining Rooms Of Days Gone By

Jeffrey Harvey and Charles Ferruzza — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:03:43 +0000

Do you remember the Wishbone, Earl's Hamburgers, Po' Folks, Piccadilly Cafeteria, and the Athena on Broadway? Well, we do.

Food Critics: Fabulous Fish

Jeffrey Harvey — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 23:32:30 +0000

We're up to the gills in grouper, trout, and tuna on this week's Central Standard Friday.

Food Critics: Super Soups

Jeffrey Harvey and Charles Ferruzza — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Ludwig Van Beethoven once theorized: "Only the pure in heart can make a good soup."

Food Critics: Best Meals Under $10

Danie Alexander and Charles Ferruzza — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:37:18 +0000

You're staring at an empty refrigerator realizing if you want to eat you're going to have to go out. A quick check of the wallet shows it not much fuller than the fridge. So where can you find a decent meal for less than $10?

Highlight Reel

Tomeka Weatherspoon and Bill Anderson and Charles Ferruzza and Monroe Dodd — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:30:43 +0000

We've got a rare treat for you.

Tune in this week when Food Critics Charles Ferruzza, of The Pitch and Fat City Blog, and Emily Farris, of Feed Me KC, join forces with history host Monroe Dodd to bring you a very special edition of Central Standard Friday.

Food Critics: Non-Traditional Dining

Tomeka Weatherspoon and Charles Ferruzza — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:13:45 +0000

Coming up on Central Standard Friday, host Charles Ferruzza and the Food Critics discuss the best non-traditional places for delicious eats.