thursday, september 4,2003
jayplay.5
EASY TO FIND
for the ultimate upscale dining experience
KitLeffler/Kansan
Hilary Boles, Lawrence resident, cuts a beef tenderloin for the evening menu at Pachamama's, 2161 Quail Creek Drive.
Courtney Kuhlen/Kansan
A view of Teller's, 746 Massachusetts St., dining room from one of the restaurant's balconies
Pachamama's new world cuisine reflects this back-to-nature attitude using fresh ingredients, often purchased from local vendors. The menu changes monthly with entrees like pasta, seafood and game, such as duck and quail. The September menu includes appetizers such as the wood-fried goat cheese and serrano ham turnover. Pan seared
Dessert is a must-do at Pachamama's, so save room for it. The large dessert menu has something for everyone. It emphasizes the fresh fruits of summer with choices like key lime white chocolate cheese cake or caramelized banana-pecan
Alaskan halibut and grilled bourbon cured pork chops are a couple of entrée choices.
bread pudding with praline Chantilly cream and a rumchocolate sauce.
Sharron Gauna, general manager, says people have a misconception that Pachamama's is a place to eat only for special occasions. "We don't want to be considered a stuffy restaurant," Gauna says. "We're laid back."
Pachamama's has nightly seafood, pasta and mixed grill specials as well as wine tasting every Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Appetizers are served at the wine tasting.
When dining at Teller's, 746 Massachusetts St., just going to the bathroom in the bank vaults is an adventure, even if you haven't eaten yet. The old bank building with its lofty ceilings and three levels of dining areas create an open and energetic atmosphere for hungry customers. Teller's gives you a chic, urban-feeling dining experience without leaving Lawrence.
The menu has been retooled but it's still the fine Italian you would expect. It features a variety of dining options no matter how much money is in your wallet. From pizza to salads like the Insalata di Carpaccio - baby greens topped with thinly sliced raw beef, shaved parmesan cheese, lemon, olive oil and capers — Teller's has something for everyone's budget.
If you're out for a special evening and want an entrée that's truly fabulous, server Byron Moore recommends the Filetto con Bordelaise, an eight-ounce beef filet. "It has a distinct flavor that you can't find anywhere else," Moore says. The filet is seared in the fire, and served on grilled sun-dried tomato goat cheese polenta with red wind and shallot reduction.
Teller's also offers daily pasta, salad and sandwich lunch specials under $6.96 and half price pasta dishes on Monday nights.
THE BIG CHILL
True. Summer is almost gone, and fall is waiting politely at the doorstep. Funny then, how the sun still sucks the moisture from your body like a parasite on a power trip For your benefit, Jayplay is here to give you a last look at the coolest concoctions our little college town has to offer.
THE JUICE STOPS HERE
Feeling a bit peckish? If the vim and vigor of your life seems drained away, then Lawrence's prized purveyors of pulped fruit, Juice Stop, 812 Massachusetts St. and 3514 Clinton Parkway, might be an answer. Featuring a variety of fruit and vegetable smoothies and shakes along with a healthy dose powdered vitamin formulas this place is a health nut's dream. They also offer wheat grass and health bars. So, if you're in a rush, and crave your daily dose of vitamin C in a cold fruity cup, then a trip to Juice Stop would be a smoothie move.
SYLAS & MADDY'S ABOUT YOU
If something sweeter floats your boat, then check out one of Lawrence's mom-and-pop mainstays, Sylas and Maddy's Ice Cream Parlor, 1014 Massachusetts St. They serve more than 40 flavors of homemade ice cream on homemade waffle cones and also offer a range of specialty creations.
With pale yellow walls and oldies playing in the background, it's inviting to the entire town. "We're very family oriented but we also cater to the college crowd," say Katy Livingston, attendant and Tulsa, Okla., sophomore.
SNOW JOKE. REALLY
Remember the old adage,
"Never eat yellow snow,"? Well
that might go out the window once
you visit Tad's Tropical Ice, 939
lowa St. This small shack contains
one of the tastiest secrets of
Lawrence — a gourmet snow cone
"We shave our ice so thin, that it's
like new snow," says Makenna
Vaughn, attendant and Lawrence
freshman.
They offer many theme drinks, like the pineapple rich "Mai Tai" or the popular "Summer Breeze." They also have a rainbow of syrups available to top your snow cone of choice. But it's only here until about Halloween, but well worth a try.
Patrick Cady