Super awesome Coke machines arrive this week

July 16, 20123:59 p.m.

Wichita’s two Noodles & Company restaurants are both about to get one of the fancy new Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. The Noodles & Company  in Towne East Square at 7700 E. Kellogg and will fire its up on Tuesday morning. The one  at 3300 N. Rock Road will start its on Wednesday.

The machines feature 125 different varieties of Coca-Cola drinks, all dispensed out of a single spout. Using a high-tech touch screen, people can choose from a long list of beverages. Choices include Coca Cola flavored with lime, raspberry, cherry, orange or cherry vanilla. Sprite can be flavored with peach, grape, cherry and more.

The machines were invented in 2009 and have been rolled out across the world since then. It makes the drinks without syrup, instead mixing concentrated ingredients with water and sweetener.

If anyone checks this out tomorrow, let me know. I’m particularly curious to hear how raspberry Coke tastes.

I love 2012.

By Denise Neil | Tags: Filed under Uncategorized | Comments

Dining dispatch from 29th & Rock

June 13, 20113:34 p.m.

I drove out east today to check on Oh Yeah! China Bistro, the restaurant formerly known as Zen (and formerly known as vegetarian), and I was struck by how much restaurant activity is going on in the block of Rock between 29th and K-96.

Oh Yeah! opened at 3101 N. Rock Road with its new name and approach on May 15. The restaurant had operated as a vegetarian place for a couple of years, but the owners decided to put meat back on the menu and rename the place.

Across the street, a sign announces that El Agave will soon take over the space at 3320 N. Rock Road that most recently held Top China, a Chinese buffet place. El Agave will be a Mexican restaurant with a big tequila and margarita menu, and its owners hope to have it open later this summer.

A little further south, another sign announces that Wasabi, the sushi restaurant downtown at 912 E. Douglas, will open its east side location in the former Froz spot at 3242 N. Rock Road. Owners say it should be open in August.

And of course, right on the corner of 29th and Rock, Ben Arnold is busy working on his new breakfast-and-lunch spot in the former Chelsea’s space at 2949 N. Rock Road. He plans to open in July.

The new Noodles & Company is on that block, too, at 3300 N. Rock Road, and it’s always busy. And Amber Dunn just opened her Yogurt Xplosion yogurt shop at 3236 N. Rock Road.

That doesn’t even count the recently closed restaurants on the block, including the Bossa Grill at 3242 N. Rock Road and the Taco Tico at 3131 N. Rock Road. Wazabz Sushi Bar and Grill, which just opened in February at 3236 N. Rock Road, also is already closed.

The only restaurants on that block not hopping on merry-go-round, it appears, are Carlos O’ Kelly’s, Chipotle, Starbucks, Buffalo Wild Wings,  Il Ponte, Jimmy John’s, and Jimmie’s Diner.

And Hooters.

By Denise Neil | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Filed under Just opened, Restaurant closings | Comments

A new Noodles & Company

May 2, 201111:02 a.m.

One of the things I love about big-city malls is the restaurants with exterior entrances and signage. It seems so… big-city.

If you’ve driven past Towne East lately, you might notice that it finally has that look. A new Noodles & Company is set top open two weeks from today, on May 16, at the mall.

The restaurant is on the east side of the building, near Von Maur, and features not only an outdoor entrance but also a patio for outdoor dining.

Wichita got its first Noodles & Company in mid-December at 3300 N. Rock Road. I liked it when I reviewed it, and every time I’ve been back since, it’s been busy. The menu features all sorts of noodle dishes, from mac and cheese to Pad Thai, plus salads and sandwiches.

By Denise Neil | Tags: Filed under About-to-open | Comments

Feed the kids without guilt

March 8, 201111:33 a.m.

Red Robin is one of Wichita's most kid-friendly restaurants.

Parents magazine is out with the results of its 10 Best Restaurant Chains survey, and Wichita has all but three of them.

The survey was intended to gather a list of restaurants where families can get the most nutritious foods for the best price while having the least stressful experience — a trifecta that most parents would insist doesn’t exist.

Here’s the list, which will appear in the April issue, scheduled to hit newsstands on March 15.

1. Jason’s Deli: Wichita has two of these — one at 7447 W. 21st and 2000 N. Rock Road.
2.  Cosi: This sandwich and soup chain has its nearest location in Tulsa.
3. Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes: This chain specializes in soups and salads, too, and has a store in Overland Park.
4. Red Lobster: Wichita’s are at 555 S. West St. and 333 S. Towne East Mall Drive.
5. Chipotle: We have four– at 515 N. Hillside, 2241 N. Maize Road, 3015 N. Rock Road and 535 S. Rock Road.
6. Noodles & Company: The city’s first Noodles & Company opened late last year at 3300 N. Rock Road.
7. Red Robin: Kids love Wichita’s Red Robin, which is at 9990 E. 13th St.
8. Mimi’s Cafe: This chain offers healthy home cooking and has a restaurant by Oak Park Mall in Overland Park.
9. Panera Bread: Wichita has three existing Panera’s, and a fourth will open soon at Maple and Ridge.
10. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Wichita’s P.F. Chang’s is at 1401 N. Waterfront Parkway.

By Denise Neil | Tags: , , , , , , Filed under Healthy restaurant food | Comments

Review: Noodles & Company

Jan. 13, 20118:46 p.m.

I have so many restaurants on my list that need reviewing, but this week I chose Noodles & Company, a restaurant that’s getting attention but needed explanation.

It specializes in noodle dishes — Asian, American and Mediterranean — but also serves sandwiches, salads and soups.

Read what I thought, then if you’ve tried it, tell me what you thought in the comments section below.

By Denise Neil | Tags: Filed under Just opened, Restaurant reviews | Comments

Question of the week

Jan. 12, 20116:18 p.m.

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, and many places around town — from Panera to Mike’s Wine Dive to Noodles & Company — offer it on their menus.

Who, in your opinion, serves the best mac and cheese in Wichita? What makes it so good?

Answer in the comments section below.

By Denise Neil | Tags: , , Filed under Question of the week | Comments