I previously have enjoyed the food at Abuelo’s, but this time I think I may have over rated them or perhaps they changed their recipe. The restaurant which in the past seemed to be busy was rather slow at this time. We were seated quickly and it took some time to be greeted by our server. However once we got our drink and food order in it seemed like the pace picked up tremendously. I ordered the lunch chimichanga with chicken meat. I found the chimichanga a little overcooked and did not care for the queso it was drenched in. The chips and salsa were fresh and delicious.

Overall the service was spot on, with our waiter checking in frequently and offering us dessert, but the food was not up to par. Not sure what has changed since my last visit there over a year ago, but Abuelo’s can’t compare to some of my other favorite Mexican restaurants in the KC area.

Dining on a Saturday in the early afternoon was slightly busy, but the restaurant offered adequate seating which meant no wait time. Unfortunately I was unable to try any of the alcoholic beverages, but my friends tried the Big Dog Beer Bong and loved its Bloody Mary style with a new intense flavor. The drinks are a little on the pricey side of $8 and up, but the Big Dog Beer Bong is served with a Corona that makes it more than substantial.

After reviewing the drinks it was time for some snacks. Hungry for dinner & appetizers we decided to try out the Chicken Nachos which were amazing. The chicken had great flavor, the toppings were fresh and it was very filling for the entire table. For dinner I opted for the best of both worlds. I settled for the Smoker, a burger with slices of Backfire slow smoked brisket served with fries. It was cooked to perfection and had a delicious smoky flavor. They had two wonderful sauces available. One was tangy and sweet and my personal favorite was the hot and spicy habanero flavored sauce.

The food was great and service could not have been better. My only complaint would be that the prices were on the high end. But then again at the Legends aren’t all the prices?

During our wait we had a drink at the bar. I was immediately impressed with the cocktail prices. Their specialty drinks were no more than $5. I don’t know of many places where their specialty cocktails are less than $7-8 per drink. These drinks were of good size and tasted amazing. Once our table was ready we were seated. We were seated with another party of four for eight in total at our very own table/grill. The purpose of most Japanese Steak houses is to make the food right in front of you. This adds to the entertainment factor and makes for a unique dining experience.

The food was very reasonably priced. I ordered the chicken teriyaki and my husband tried the steak and crab. Not only do you get an entrée but you get a full course. It starts with very flavorful soup that is only the beginning to a scrumptious meal. Following the soup was the salad which was very fresh and served with an original ginger dressing. Up next is the rice which was cooked to perfection. As you are finishing up the salad and rice the cook brings out an appetizer of shrimp for all parties. The fun part begins. As he cooks all the food in front of you it is amazing. Eventually setting the grill on fire with flames rising several feet high, which leave you wondering if your eyebrows were singed off. It is all part of the fun.

As the cook is serving the shrimps, you are encouraged you to catch one. Everyone passed this task except for me. I am not very coordinated and failed twice. The shrimp were cooked to perfection and a perfect snack until the main course. Finally it was time for our dinner. My chicken teriyaki was served with a side of bean sprouts and veggies. All were cooked perfectly and tasted amazing. The chicken was very flavorful and made for a very filling meal. After dinner was finished we were served a little dish of sherbet ice cream to make for a perfect meal. All this for under $30!!

Where else can you dine that is relatively inexpensive and have a great evening? The only downside is that it is a little rushed. When you are served your sherbet it comes with your check. As GoJos is very busy they do seem to rush you a bit so they can get the table ready for the next group. Still loads of fun and I know I will be back.

Buzz Halloweenie Roast :

A personal favorite event I will be attending. Hosted by 96.5 The Buzz, Halloweenie Roast Beaumont in Westport, October 28th. Musical guests include Flock of Seagulls, Jet, The Ravonettes and many more. All ages show for an affordable $9.65 gets you a ticket.

Terror at the Train Station 7:

The Bacchus Foundation brings back their infamous Terror Party, T7, to the revamped Midland Theater in the Power and Light District. The largest Halloween Party in Kansas City brings over 2,000 costumed folks and it’s all for charity. Including wonderful appetizers, drinks and costume contest. Party goes from 8pm – 3am on Halloween night (Oct 31) at the Midland Theater. Tickets are $37.50 in advance at the Midland Box Office, or at Terror Party

Nightmare at Crosstown Station:

Crosstown Station brings back its Nightmare 2009 at 1522 McGee. The party, which includes two floors of live music, DJ’s spinning, costume contest, and drinks galore promises to be a night of meyhem. Tickets are $30/$35 at the door. or 4 for $25 per person and may be purchased at Crosstown Station.  It is strongly recommend to buy in advance.

Martini Corner :

The Martini Corner pulls out all the stops this Halloween by hosting it’s Halloween on the Hill party with all five bars participating with drink specials. The bash starts at 8pm. Martini Corner is located at 334 E 31st. Party starts at 8pm on Halloween night.

Halloween Haunts at Worlds of Fun :

A great event for terror and fun! World’s of Fun, the midwest’s largest theme park, brings back Halloween Haunts 2009. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, ghouls and ghosts swarm the park while guests enjoy over 175 acres of Halloween themed thrill rides and attractions. With Asylum Island, extreme haunts and the fog rolling in at 7pm– Halloween Haunts has something scary for everyone. Not recommended for children under 14 after 7pm.

Party Monster at Harrah’s Voodoo Lounge :

Party Monster is back for its fifth year at the Voodoo Lounge on October 31st. With drinks flowing till 3am and DJ Spider and DJ the DJ mixing–you can’t go wrong by heading to Party Monster. $1,000 costume contest, doors open at 9pm. Tickets are $10 and are available on VoodooKC. Call 816.889.4237 for VIP reservations and table requests. Tickets are $10 in advance through Ticketmaster. This is a 21+ event.

Ghost Tours:

Looking for a spooky night on the town. Check out some great tours given in the Kansas City, Topeka and Atchison area. Tour buses will take you to the most notorious haunted places in the area. Each tour includes over a dozen stops and tours last for about an hour and forty five minutes. Sounds spooktacular. For further details CLICK HERE.  Tickets are $19.50 per person.

Maul of the Dead:

Just when you thought it was safe to go to the mall again!
It is 1978, a decade and a day after Night of the Living Dead!  Six strangers take refuge in an abandoned shopping mall, only to find zombies lurk behind every mannequin and rubber tree plant. Coterie At Night Series, Rated PG-13:
TICKETS – $12 All Ages; $9 if you have the Discount Deal; GROUPS – 10 tix for $10 each; advance orders only; DISOUNT – Get $2 off at the door by wearing polyester when purchasing tickets night of show. For more details CLICK HERE.

KC Haunted Houses:

As always the KC area has a wide selection of haunted houses. The variety includes -

• The Beast 1401 West 13th Street KC, MO 64102   816-842-4280
• The Edge of Hell 1300 West 12th Street KC, MO 64101   816-842-4279
• Catacombs 1100 Santa FE St  KC, MO 64101   816.474.3845
• Fear 1100 Santa Fe St.  KC, MO 64101   816.474.3845
• Cavern of Terror 14500 Old Quarry Rd Excelsior Springs, MO 64024 816.799.6624
• Macabre Cinema 1222 W 12th St. KC, MO 64101  816-842-4280
• The Chambers of Edgar Allen Poe 1100 Santa Fe KC, MO 64101   816-842-4280

Be sure to research these haunted houses online as most offer discount tickets/coupons.

Have a safe & happy Halloween weekend!

As you approach the main entrance you can have photos taken and are greeted with champagne. Once you enter the Speedway its food & drinks galore. There are two ten car garages to the left and right. The middle is filled with sponsor tents, bars around every corner and a band with dance floor up front.

We immediately hit up the food and tried out many of the dishes offered by Bristol, Andre’s, Los Cabos, Mike & Charlie’s, Capital Grille, P.F. Changs, Tasso’s and many more. As you stop at each of the restaurant’s booth you will have a sampling of some of the best cuisine. Steak cooked so tender it literally melts in your mouth. My favorite being Capital Grille with meat cuts that were flavorful with every bite, sided with delicious mashed potatoes. Following dinner was desert. The winner being Cupcake a La Mode, offering a variety of flavors that had me craving the cupcakes days later.

This event was lively, fun and full of tasty treats. I know I am ready to go next year. This black tie event reached superb goals this year, thanks to the generosity of sponsors and guests, the eight annual Treads & Threads grossed more than $1 million. Keep an eye out for this event next year and donate to a good cause and enjoy a fun evening under the stars.

The salsa was fresh, the hot was the better of the two. The mild salsa was a little bland, but the hot was some of the best I have had. We ordered fried chicken tacos and a pork burrito. The tacos were average. The chicken was cut into chunks and tasted pretty good. They weren’t the best fried tacos, but they were good. The burrito was also average. Again pretty bland as the same mild salsa had been used. Refried beans and rice were served on the side and were equally great.

Overall, for the location food was great and very affordable. That aside it can not beat some of the best Mexican dining off the Boulevard. Then again they have only been open a couple weeks so I will give it time. Service was awesome, establishment was clean and dinner cost us only $20 and that included drinks and tip! With late hours til 2am and opening for breakfast at 6am, they have something to suit everyone’s craving.

Wait time was the average in receiving the food. The nachos were a little disappointing. I did not care for the combination of all the toppings with the chili on top, could have done without it. It added a bit much to the flavors. The hamburger was cooked to perfection and was pretty tasty for a burger, sided with waffle fries which were a crispy golden brown. I did not have dessert on this visit, but I have had the cheesecake before and it was delicious. Cheesecake was very creamy and fluffy, topped with the sweet strawberry sauce. A perfect way to end any meal.

Due to the happy hour specials our dinner was at a valued price, but at other times prices are a little on the higher end. The restaurant was beautiful, newly remodeled with comfortable seating and large open windows & doors offering tons of natural lighting. Would not be my first dining choice Downtown, but with its decent happy hours and late night crowds it should be a hit.

We decided to explore the St. Pete’s Pier area prior to checking into our hotel. We drove down to the pier area and parked a few blocks away by a shopping center for free. It was 3 hours free parking street side. Walking down the pier was breezy but the sun was blazing hot. If I could do it over again I would have parked closer. The pier was full of people fishing. Once inside the pier’s center there were a few unique stores, but nothing mind blowing. After a long day of traveling we were hungry and decided to grab a bite at Captain Al’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar. It was affordable and seemed to have a pretty good selection for lunch. Due to the humid conditions we decided to eat inside. I choose the buffalo chicken sandwich and my husband ordered a shrimp wrap. Chicken sandwich was average, but the shrimp wrap was great! The service was below average. It took forever to get our food and our server was lacking in checking in on us. I could not understand why as the restaurant was pretty slow at this time.

After lunch we headed to the rooftop for a view from St. Pete’s pier. Offering stunning views of the city this was one of the best things about the pier. Following a rather dull experience on water we headed to our hotel. We took lodging in at the Helmsley Sandcastle Resort. Upon arrival I checked and found the lobby very appealing, complete with a tropical fish tank as a backdrop to the guest services counter. The staff was very friendly and efficient. I had booked us a standard room for two nights for only $260 (including taxes). A great bargain for a beachfront resort. After checking into our clean room we headed to the beach. We walked down the hallway and found sand. Literally only 50 steps from the beach. It was perfect.

The beach was very clean and the waves were mighty. A storm had just passed through and it made for an exciting day in the water. After a fun afternoon in the sun we headed out for dinner. Choosing a waterfront bar & grill known as The Old Salty Dog. A dog friendly outdoor bar that sits on the water. Feeling homesick from my own pets I saw a bull dog, lab and poodle that made me not so homesick. We ordered shrimp poppers and crab legs for dinner. They were excellent and the service was A+. I also tried the specialty drink and it was $10 but oh so delicious. Looking for some night life action we wound up at the Gator Club. Cover charge was $5 and it was a two story bar that had a live band downstairs and pool tables upstairs with a DJ. A very energetic club that had reasonably priced drinks. After a long day we headed back to the hotel to turn in for the night.

The next morning was our beach day. Before hitting the beach we ate breakfast at our hotel. It was only $9 per person for the buffet and it was very filling. After eating we headed to the beach and grabbed our complimentary lounge chairs and basked in the sun for the most part of the day. Later in the afternoon we headed to the local mall known as Westridge. They have most of your average stores plus a few extras. Shopping completed it was time to head back to the room and get ready for a night out. Looking for my favorite style of food (Mexican) we choose Two Senoritas to dine at. They offered a wide selection of food, even puffy tacos which are very hard to find back home. The food was delicious and the salsa was very fresh. Service was good and the interior of the restaurant was very low light and romantic. It was a perfect dinner for our last night in the city.

Heading to Siesta Key was next on the venue. Once there we found several night life spots with bars and live music. Our first stop was into the Daiquiri Deck, a bar with over 13 daiquiris to choose from. I settled on the pina colada and it was superb, one of the best drinks I had on the trip. It is a non-smoking establishment that also serves food. Offering some great happy hours between 3pm – 7pm. We decided to head down Ocean Blvd and visited the Beach Club. Another great nightlife spot with a live reggae band. This club seemed to have a larger following with people of all ages. It turned out to be a great spot to hang out and drink.

We finally awake to our final day on the beach. It didn’t start out great as it was raining non-stop till 11am. I was worried about the weather as we were planning to parasail. Finally the weather subdued and the clouds cleared to sunny skies and we set off to Anna Maria Island. My favorite secret spot in Florida where the beaches are crystal clear and wonderful. We decided to hit up our favorite dining spot in Anna Maria the Gulf Drive Cafe. Home to some of the best pancakes. This place is on the beach, offers outdoor seating and has some of the best food and service I have found. If you ever visit Anna Maria you HAVE to dine here and try their pancakes. After a late breakfast it was time to parasail.

We used YOLO (You Only Live Once) parasailing. At an affordable $60 per person we were suited up and ready to fly. I was nervous at first but once you are up in the air it is so peaceful, all your cares just brush away. On our parasail trip we took off and landed from the boat. The expenses included 1 hour on the boat, 15 minutes in the air and a souvenir CD of photos from the day. It was so worth it and I would do it again.

After spending a few more hours beachside it was time to head home. As much fun as I had and as sad as I was to head home I know I will be back. This is one of my favorite spots to visit. The beaches are beautiful and the weather was perfect for our weekend.

My final review would conclude:

Southwest Airlines – transports you right to Tampa Bay only 30 minutes from all beaches
St. Pete’s Pier – Not worth the drive and rather disappointing
Captain Al’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar – Average food & Poor Service
Helmsley Sandcastle Resort – a stunning resort that is very affordable and beachfront. Offering a gorgeous pool with poolside bar.
The Old Salty Dog – Outdoor bar & grill with fresh seafood; dog friendly establishment
Gator Club – Two story bar with live music; Cover charge
Siesta Key – perfect spot for nightlife action
Daiquiri Deck – Great selection of Daiquiris and perfect spot for sports watching
Beach Club – Fun with live entertainment and energetic bar patrons; NO cover charge
Anna Maria Island – white sandy beaches; great destination for dolphin and whale watching
Gulf Drive Cafe – Pancakes that are superb and inexpensive
YOLO Parasailing – Offering an affordable new view of the beaches.
Westridge Mall – Average shopping experience on the outskirts of town
Weather – temperatures in the upper 80’s and sunny; storms will likely hit the area but are scattered and only last 30 minutes or less