Eating Across Kansas

Since moving to Hutchinson, I have lamented the lack of brunch. There are many places that serve breakfast, and several that serve breakfast all day long, but no one serves brunch - that delightful combination of both breakfast and lunch at a place that typically does not offer one or both of these things. Before I get too far in, let me go ahead and mention my bias. I prefer to order my brunch from a menu rather than cobble it together from a buffet. Buffets tend to be pricer than ordering off a menu and I, like many others, tend to overeat at a buffet so I prefer to order off a menu. For a buffet, Jillian's does well. The price is $12.95 - a bit steep, but cheaper than Flatrock Grill in Wichita ($14.95). They offer a wide variety and most items are well executed. Some items were a litle bland, but since they've only been at the Sunday Brunch game for 4 weeks, I expect some improvement as they work out the kinks. To start, there was a variety of salads - quinoa with cran...

Last week two Hutchinson restaurants rolled out new menu items. Summer's coming, vegetables are fresh, and people are looking for lighter fare. Both Jillian's and The W have added new, seasonal items to their menu that will satisfy your craving for something fresh and different. Change has been underfoot at Jillian's for a while. After months of planning, their outdoor patio will open tonight. I've heard the owners and staff talking about upcoming menu and wine list changes, which I've been greatly anticipating. Last Thursday, I stopped in for dinner, and to my delight, they happened to be rolling out their new menu items! As far as I can remember, Jillian's has added 1 appetizer and 3 entrees to their menu. During the first Taste of Hutchinson event last fall, Jillian's concocted a 4-cheese stuffed toasted ravioli . The dish went over so well it earned a spot on the appetizer list. The new entrees are very diverse. Eggplant Parmesan is the newest in the p...