Mollys Table, it is open

I have been waiting for Donna Nagle to open her dream. It is just off the town square in Paola. I am happy for her, and a little jealous!

We have been friends for years; she and her husband Bill are such good, wonderful people. Her daughter Molly can capivate your heart. Guess who the restaurant is named after?

We met years ago and cooked together at the Ursuline Gardens dinner. I found out then how great Donna was in the kitchen. So many unique ideas. She has finally has opened her restaurant.

I had lunch there today, what a treat. It was a refreshing change from the hamburger and fries lunch. My friend Karen Blanck went with me for the grand opening.

Just walking in, we could see so many carry out lunches. It is a natural fit, half a block from the county court house. They need a quick lunch on the run, the box lunches are a winner.

I just see this as a total success.

Karen had the Potato soup. She is an expert on potato soup, her favorite which she couldn't stop eating and savoring the flavors. Buttery, cheesy, and garnished with mixed cheeses, bacon and chives.

I had the Chicken salad sandwich, grilled chicken, apples, pecans, celery, chives, and a special dressing with lettuce,tomato and onion on a croissant. This had such a wonderful, unique taste. You will love it.

It was a great time and so many locals were there from all around town. If you come to Paola, it is a must stop.

http://www.mollys-table.com/

913-927-8819

Thanks to Donna and her great staff.

We B Smokin'

Terry has asked me many times to come out and cook with him, he says he will be glad to teach me a few things. I will make this happen soon. He has been on Food TV. He is now world famous.

I didn't know Terry was so famous 'til I read today's Miami County Republic newspaper. He just got voted into the top ten restaurants that people fly into to eat in the USA. They came from Florida to present this award.

He is one of the Top 10 fly in restaurants in the nation. WOW!!!!

Look at this web sight. http://www.100dollarhamburger.com/

Terry and I have been friends for 8 years, since he came to Paola and I fell in love with his bbq beans. The are to die for!!! I have had bbq beans many places, but never as good as these. You have to fly in or drive in to taste them.

It is a family affair. His wife Gloria, I think is the one really in charge. His Daughter Shannon is his best waitress. His mother in law keeps them all in check. There are more daughter in laws, sons, grandkids that are involved in the restaurant. I am not sure that the grandkids are old enough.... there ought to be laws about this! :-)

He does so many barbeque contests. He was one of the first graduates of the Johnson County Culinary program. I am only half way through.

We B Smokin http://www.websmokin.com/ Check it out, also the beans. The BEST BEANS !!!!

Our Friends in Miami County

Casa Somerset is on the way up!!!! Norm and Annick Good came out and visited us today. The roof over the porch was being built this week. They had not been here since helping with the planting of the grapevines back in May. They were checking to see if I had taken care of their vines. I have!

Norm kept going on about the view from each floor as we went up. When we arrived on the third floor and he could see the Paola Water tower 8 miles away, he was impressed. We gave them a complete tour of Casa Somerset. Then the four of us went to the Somerset Ridge Winery for the German Fest by Chef Kay. She makes the greatest German Potato Salad and Brats with sauerkraut!

Master Chef Kay, Norm, and Annick are leaving the 13th for Sicily without me. They are going with my great friend Jasper Mirabile to his homeland. We are so busy with Casa Somerset this year that we can't go. They will have the trip of a life time. Chef Kay promised to bring me some Silician recipes back. I will write some blogs of their trip. Norm promised when Jasper took them to some of the small growers he would be watching for picture moments.

Norm and Annick told us today that if we weren't friends, they would probably never have come to Miami County. They toured the town square of Paola. They had never been there before. Norm and Annick said how beautiful it is. They were so impressed with Paola.

There is so much happening in Miami County now. I am telling everyone to come here. This is what Agri-tourism is all about. The Louisburg Cidermill, Somerset Ridge Winery, Casa Somerset, and the Paola Town Square. Call me I will take you on a tour of MY County.

There were so many people in Somerset this last two weekends. The Louisburg Cidermill had 12,000 visitors last weekend. There are only 37,000 living in Miami county. It is a wonderful place to live, and also to visit!

Mike

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The Stairs to the Top

I got to the house at 5:30 tonight and Jason was working on the stairs. I asked if they could be in by the weekend. The house is moving along, the roof was put on this week. Jason says the stairs will be finished tomorrow. No more ladders!!! Christine will love that.

Come out this Sunday and see it. We will be there from 1pm till 3pm. This is going to be the place to be in 6 months. Friends, Family, and good times. Visit our vineyard. Bring a bottle of wine from Somerset Ridge and sit and talk with us for a while.

We will pick grapes in the morning at Somerset Ridge Winery,with Cindy and Dennis Reynolds.. Later, we will visit the Cider Fest at the Louisburg Cidermill with Tom and Shelly, what an event. All in Miami county.

Read about the events the next several weekends.

http://www.louisburgcidermill.com/

http://www.somersetridge.com/

"A Tree Grows in Paola"

That could be a great title for a movie. My friend of over 24 years, Karen Blanck, planted a Royal Empress Tree on the 4th of July. It was from http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/ She has been sending me pictures of it all along. It is incredible.

Little did she realize how fast it would grow. This tree when mature will be 40 to 50 feet high and 30 to 40 feet wide. It will flower with purple blooms in the spring. It has a great fragrance between gardenia and jasmine.

It is one of the most environmentally beneficial trees in the world. It is like a giant air filter. This is great for the green movement. We all know we have to plant more trees to make up for those that are being taken down daily.

If you want to watch it grow, drive by 102 Waterworks Rd and Old Kansas City Rd in Paola. Karen has such a green thumb. She is the one who got me going on building my house, after seeing her delight in her new house.

I am going to have to plant some of these next year. Someone said it is just like watching Jack and the Bean Stalk.

Mike

Roots Festival, Barbecue Contest.

Did I eat well!!! :):) This was my third year as a Judge, they just get better with age. It really is hard to judge, but I am getting better. You have to judge each entry as it is by it's self, not against another. It is really hard not to compare. This was an oficial KCBS contest (Kansas City Barbque Society). Fellow Slow Food members David and Jan Letts were there as well to judge.

We started with sausage, my favorite. I got to taste 4 entries. Two were spicy, but that is great as far as I am concerned. You absolutely do not know who's is who's. If I did, some would be very busy cooking for me. Next came the chicken, 6 entries. Then ribs, another favorite with me. Then we tasted pulled pork. Brisket was last. You judge each category by taking a sample of each entry. After tasting each, you take home more than you eat. Is this great or what? We will be eating BBQ till next week.

We are going to become certified judges . What a JOB:):)

The overall BBQ contest winner was `Munchin Hogs@ the Hilton.

Andy Groneman and Matt Winterscheid of Smoke on Wheels were best in Miami County

The smoke, the taste, and all of your friends. The music was a wonderful way to let your cares go away.

Lee Mott, Gary Patillio, and the entire team of the Paola Roots Festival have worked so hard to bring the best to Paola. We cannot praise their efforts enough. They and their volunteers are what takes us next year to our 20th year of the best effort in Miami county

Mike