By Elizabeth Hey

For those who appreciate great cuisine, top-notch service and a lovely setting, Piropos delivers—delightfully.

Serving authentic Argentinean fare, it boasts a bird’s-eye view of the Kansas City skyline. Its moniker is a nod to the Latin tradition of a “piropo,” a poetic or flirtatious compliment to a woman. There’s even a monthly piropo contest with dinner for two as the prize.

Strongly influenced by Europe, Argentina’s cuisine merges the flavors of Spain, Italy, France and other ethnicities. The result? Simple and savory, without being overly spicy. Piropos’ menu specializes in excellent cuts of meat, seafood flown in by charter plane, lamb, pork and pasta. From start to finish, items are created in-house: a trio of dips made daily accompany the bread service, empanadas, soups and sauces and luscious desserts. The 300-plus wine list hails primarily from South America. Argentinian cheeses, salt and spices are air-shipped bi-monthly.

As longtime Parkville residents and entrepreneurs, Gary and Cristina Worden had a vision to bring the tastes of Cristina’s homeland to the Midwest. Married nearly 28 years, Cristina remarked that Gary loved the way she cooked and asked if she could design a restaurant menu. A chef-friend and restauranteur in Miami looked it over and gave the thumbs up.

With that confirmation, the original Parkville location opened in 2001 on a hillside where the Wordens had enjoyed impromptu picnics or a bottle of wine. In 2005, Piropos moved to its current location and added event space for up to 140 diners plus a wedding chapel. Throughout the years, traditions of Cristina’s upbringing have inspired the menu.

“Many recipes come from my mother, or I work with our chef to create authentic dishes,” says Cristina.

On a Saturday night, the restaurant buzzed with conversation and the clinking of wine glasses. My husband and I started with bread and dipping sauces: chimichurri, garlic aioli and fresh pepper relish. Empanadas were a must; doughy pockets stuffed with three cheeses, chicken with roasted peppers and seasoned beef tenderloin. The velvety Argentinean-style crab bisque and savory mushroom soup were first-rate. Appetizers included perfectly-seared, jumbo scallops wrapped in Applewood-smoked bacon over corn relish and brie en croute drizzled with apricot aji molido (Argentinean ground red pepper) preserves and honey balsamic reduction.

Entrees came beautifully plated with generous portions and exceptional sauces. The signature peppercorn-encrusted filet in brandy cream sauce was accompanied by au gratin potatoes and sautéed mushrooms. Pan-seared wild Alaskan halibut with julienne vegetables in a roasted red pepper sauce topped oh-so-creamy lobster risotto. Sweet tooths, like me, ogle at the dessert selection, all made in-house. The banana cake layered with whipped cream cheese icing on a pool of crème anglaise and raspberry sauce is so popular that customers order it in sheet cakes for parties and luncheons.

By Elizabeth Hey

Chandler Hill Vineyards describes itself as Tuscan-inspired, with a Napa twist and a Missouri soul. As my husband and I stepped into the impressive tasting room and then out onto the expansive deck, it was just that. The vineyards, a spring-fed lake and the Osage Valley fanned out below us. Worlds away from the city, Chandler Hill is a convenient 45 minutes from downtown St. Louis.

The vineyard’s fascinating history dates to the early-1870s. Freed slave Joseph Chandler traveled north on the Mississippi River from the Civil War-torn South and settled near Defiance. Befriended by the Fluesmeier family, who farmed the property, Chandler helped work the land for many years. He died in 1952 at age 98.

The tasting room and winery stand on the site of Joseph Chandler’s modest cabin. Stones from its foundation surround the waterfall at the winery’s entrance. When the tasting room was built in 2007, artifacts were uncovered including a shotgun, rifle, tools and china—now proudly displayed.

Chandler Hill’s wine list features award-winning Missouri labels from its own Chambourcin, Vignoles, Seyval Blanc and Norton grapes. They also produce a Norton port and a refreshing, Vignoles white port. West Coast wines round out the offering. Several labels produced by the vineyard take their names from the property’s heritage. The smoky, “Savage” Norton commemorates a .22 rifle hanging in the tasting room. And smooth, crisp “Gray House” Vignoles refers to a German immigrant who lived on-site.

The vaulted tasting room accommodates diners and large parties. At one end, above the sizeable, U-shaped bar hangs a handcrafted candelabra. A floor-to-ceiling, stone fireplace flanks the opposite end. In warmer months, the deck makes the perfect spot for relaxing or dining.

An excellent menu offers seasonal choices highlighting local bounty, produce from an on-site garden and newly-released wines. We ordered the well-prepared salmon with lemon caper butter, a still-sizzling flat iron steak and the King Buck Burger, a house specialty, topped with caramelized onions, cheddar cheese and house King Buck barbecue sauce. A Vidal Blanc and Norton paired perfectly with our entrees. House-made desserts rotate through the menu, and the blueberry banana crème pie and carrot cake with cinnamon frosting were both delicious.

Chandler Hill hosts a number of events: themed dinners, monthly wine club dinners, live entertainment on weekends and private tours accompanied by tastings and an optional lunch.

For more information visit ChandlerHillVineyards.com.

By Elizabeth Hey

In the quilter’s mecca of Hamilton, Blue Sage Restaurant is worth the trip, whether you quilt or not.

Opened in August 2014 and named after a midwestern wildflower, photos on the walls of the surrounding farmland reflect those roots. Executive chef Chad Rigby delights locals and visitors with his ever-rotating menu of contemporary American fare.

Rigby was lured from his executive sous chef position in Salt Lake City by a co-owner of Missouri Star Quilt Company, who persuaded Rigby and his wife, Taren, to pack up and put their culinary stamp on the tiny town of Hamilton, population 1,809.

“I like to start with classic dishes and add a twist, but still keep them familiar,” says Chef Rigby. “It’s fun to watch people try something new or different than what they imagined and enjoy it.”

After my friend, Diane, and I browsed the quilt shops, we sat down to dine at Blue Sage. According to Rigby, with the exception of a few popular items, the menu changes quarterly. Blue Sage takes pride in serving from-scratch cuisine, cooked-to-order.

For starters, we chose the ever-popular pomme frites—perfectly golden-brown and seasoned lattice-cut fries topped with parmesan cream and chives. The scrumptious artichoke and lobster dip laced with asiago cheese and leeks. Even the bread and butter service was creative, served on a cured tree trunk with house-made blackberry-raspberry and honey butters.

Next we sampled the coconut berry salad drizzled with the restaurant’s signature cinnamon vanilla dressing. According to Rigby, it will probably never leave the menu because of its popularity. It’s often ordered topped with maple glazed Atlantic salmon or chicken.

Much of the summer produce is grown on Trammell Ranch, just south of Hamilton. Entrees reflect that local goodness. The flakey crust of the bestselling pot pie hid a velvety, vegetable cream sauce folded into roasted chicken and topped with garlic mashed potatoes and carrots—a satisfying rendition of this midwest classic. Rigby’s beef stroganoff definitely pleased. Pan-seared beef, topped with cremini mushrooms and a roasted garlic and mushroom demi-glace was generously ladled over egg pappardelle pasta. And grilled salmon, drizzled with the fruity infusion of melted raspberry-blackberry butter, costarred with a side of fried fingerling potatoes topped with savory arugula tossed with sweet raspberry vinaigrette, diced apples, cranraisins and goat cheese.

To finish, the baked banana brulée and ice cream was simple, yet elegant—a banana sliced lengthwise and warmed in the oven, then sprinkled with sugar before a chef’s torch caramelized the sugar.

And for those who want to take a taste of Blue Sage home, the restaurant is bottling its lauded cinnamon-vanilla dressing and raspberry balsamic reduction.

For more information visit Facebook.com/bluesagedining.

By Elizabeth Hey

Fabulous fried chicken has endeared BK’s Place to many a diner seeking comfort food. Word of mouth and Facebook have garnered a following of locals and those traveling in Missouri. On a recent trip to Hannibal, we made a beeline to BK’s for take out.

Our cooked-to-order meal was well worth the 15-minute wait. That’s because owner Kathy Troy knows fried chicken. She managed the KFC in Monroe City for 12 years before it closed permanently in 2008. Missing the restaurant business, Kathy took up the baton in 2013 and started her own place featuring what she knew best—fried chicken. She leased a modest building near Highway 36 and began to work her magic.

Understandably, Kathy won’t divulge her two secret weapons: the breading and the type of oil she uses for frying. Customers can choose from two different breading recipes. The original has a slight kick, while the new breading leaves out the pepper.

“I’ve tried to make my mom’s recipe at home, and it doesn’t taste anything like what we make at the restaurant,” says Kathy’s oldest daughter, Lori, who helps with the business. “Mom says the oil and breading give it that crispy coating while keeping the chicken moist.”

BK’s sells about 700 pieces of chicken each week during spring and summer when lake traffic is heavy. Generously-sized fried tenders and grilled strips are available, too. The chicken strip salad comes with fried or grilled chicken. The small but varied menu also includes hamburgers, a fried or grilled chicken ranch wrap and a tasty taco salad.

The bestselling potato bowl starts with mashed potatoes and corn topped by a diced fried chicken strip. Diners choose either brown or white gravy; shredded cheddar cheese finishes the dish. It’s a meal for two, but no one ever wants to share. Sides are given their own special twist: mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato fries, coleslaw and green beans.

“My reward is making people happy with the food and service our customers receive,” says Lori. “Just yesterday, I waited on people from Champaign, Illinois, who called us a hidden gem on their Facebook post. I was thrilled that they left satisfied.”

BK’s is open seven days a week, but it’s best to check the evening hours during the winter, especially on Sunday.