Best New Restaurants
The latest and greatest in Wichita's dining scene.
The Staff
Jim Meyer
(page 1 of 3)
Wichita’s menu of dining options has rapidly grown during the past year. New eateries offer a range of tastes, from South American steak to fine Italian cuisine. But don’t just take our word for it. Grab a seat at one of Wichita’s new hotspots, and try a bite for yourself.Bella Donna
2121 N. Webb Rd., 316-315-0000
Bella Donna might have been ahead of its time when it opened last July. The east-side eatery, just west of Webb Road, originally aimed to offer slightly high-brow Tuscan cuisine that would be rare even in places like New York City. First-time patrons expecting predictable Italian eats instead discovered dishes like pesce di giornate (grilled whole fish with salsa verde), tonno alla griglia con orzo (grilled tuna steak, orzo and orange gremolota) and capescante all’ aspelto (scallops, shaved fennel, corn, tomato and saffron basil butter). At first, some customers didn’t know what to make of the menu.
So, with some quick changes by Executive Chefs Dana Ault and Mike Dixon, the menu now offers more recognizable and affordable Italian dishes. The chefs also added daily plates that change with the season, as well as wine flights and jazz on Thursday and Saturday nights.
ATMOSPHERE: Naturally, the restaurant follows a Tuscan design with warm shades of brown and gold. During summer nights, you can sit on a large patio that overlooks a scenic lake.
SHOWSTOPPER: It’s hard to go wrong with any of the main plates, but we recommend the filet mignon pizziola ($19.95), a premium steak with tomato, oregano and white wine sauce. And don’t miss the seafood, especially the shrimp and lobster risotto ($15.95) or the grilled salmon with lemon caper sauce ($15.95).
DAILY DELIGHTS: Each day and season brings a different special. During the spring, Bella Donna featured sea scallops with wild mushroom risotto, sage butter and procuitto ($20.95) on Fridays. Saturdays brought the osso bucco with saffron risotto and pan tomato sauce ($19.95). The most popular daily special is the eggplant parmigiana ($10.95), offered on Mondays, but you can order it anytime. —J.M.
* Editor's Note: Bella Donna closed for business on May 28, several weeks after Wichita magazine's June '08 issue went to press. At the time of the interview, co-owner Bobby Lane acknowledged some financial struggles but indicated the restaurant would remain open.
*****
El Gaucho Steakhouse
8550 W. 21st St. N, 316-440-4030
El Gaucho put a new spin on the typical steakhouse when it opened in September. Owners Javier and Monica Sacco, natives of South America, took the tradition of the “gaucho,” the South American cowboy, and put it in a fine dining setting. All of the meat is cooked over the coals of a giant, oak-fired flame at the back of the restaurant. The menu is ideal for an Atkins diet purveyor, with meat that ranges from lamb to steak. For the less adventurous, there are more North American offerings likes sandwiches and pasta.
ATMOSPHERE: While you’re waiting on the food, there’s plenty to see. The walls are painted with murals of South American cowboys and horses. These murals have 3-D touches that include a water pail, barbed wire, pennies and more. Latin music, an open dining room and the grill’s open flame add to the festive atmosphere.
ESSENTIAL STARTER: The chimichurri sauce, dubbed “miracle sauce” by the owners, compliments nearly everything. Dip bread in it while you’re waiting.
FANCY MOVES: On Friday nights, El Gaucho brings in a DJ that plays Latin music while guests do traditional Spanish dances. And on the last Wednesday of each month, the restaurant hosts a free tango show with dance professionals from Safira’s Center for World Dance. Afterward, stick around for free dance lessons.
RIGHT ON CUE: Beginning last month, El Gaucho added an all-you-can-eat option ($15.99). Using red and green cues, you can signal a server to bring all of the meats you desire. You begin with unlimited appetizers and salad. Then, turn the cue to green when you’re ready for the main course. Servers rotate sizzling skewers of meat cooked at your preferred temperature. You control the pace and amount of meat by turning the cue to green for service or red when you’re stuffed. —J.M.
*****
Caffe Moderne
300 N. Mead St., Ste. 108, 316-260-1199
Caffe Moderne quickly made a name for itself after opening in Old Town Square last March. Owner Janet Rine (profiled in the April issue of Wichita magazine) transformed the space into an inviting restaurant and coffee bar with an Art Deco theme. In the restaurant’s first year, Wichita magazine readers voted Caffe Moderne as winner of the city’s best coffee, frozen dessert and sandwiches—and with good reason. The gourmet coffee is made from imported cocoa beans. The paninis, such as the Josephine and Isabelle, are concoctions that take the sandwich to the next level. And the gelato is a heavenly, creamy treat. Now, Rine is expanding the restaurant to keep up with demand. It’s fairly safe to say Caffe Moderne is here to stay. —J.M.
*****
Sabor
309 N. Mead St., 316-201-4880
Melad Stephan, The owner of Uptown Bistro and Oeno, extended his mark on Old Town Square and Mead Street on October 10 with the addition of Sabor, one of the most highly anticipated new restaurants of the past year. The upscale menu consists of fine cuisine from Brazil, Cuba and other South American countries. Executive Chef Jason-Paul Febres, a 27-year-old chef who attended three culinary schools in Caracas, Venezuela, knows authentic Latin cuisine. He keeps the menu fresh with specials from different South American countries. Try dishes like churrasco steak, rotisserie chicken and paella. Pair your dinner with mojitos, wine or sangria. The modern atmosphere and upbeat music adds to Sabor’s Latin flavor.
STAPLE STARTERS: The tostones ($5) consist of crispy plantain chips for dipping in chimichurri and avocado crema. The beef empanadas ($7) include spiced beef, onions, raisins, garlic and herbs baked in a flaky pastry and served with chimichurri sauce.
LUNCHTIME LIKES: Unlike many upscale eateries in Wichita, Sabor is open for lunch. For less than $10, you can try the famed fish tacos, the Cuban sandwich or the adobo pork.
SHOWSTOPPER: Seared Chilean sea bass ($22) served over Venezuelan lentil and acelga, seasoned potato rondelles and finished with tropical pico de gallo. Or try the lobster and corn arepa ($17), lobster and sweet corn with onions, garlic and peppers in a crisp masa shell and served with gallo pinto. —J.M.
