LUNCHBITES - by KAPER

Shiraz
320 SW Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: (816) 472-0015

Lunch Menu $6.50 - $8.95
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover

The word for the day is “eclectic,” which perfectly describes the menu and the atmosphere at Shiraz. Both are an interesting mélange of European, Middle Eastern and Indian offerings. For more than 10 years, owners Stephanie and Ali Shirazi have attracted a following by offering a varied menu of imaginative dishes that are prepared well and served in an appealing setting.

Shiraz has been described as having “old world charm.” The brick walls and cement floor are not pretentious. The high ceilings have low-hanging lamps that provide ample light to dine. Local artists display works along two walls. The cloth table coverings and the aroma from the wood-fired pizza oven combine to create a pleasant place to enjoy good food.

The menu has enticing descriptions of selections from starters through panini, pizza and pasta. The soup and salad combo is popular with many regulars, pairing a cup of the soup of the day with a spinach or mixed greens salad ($6.50). I must return to try the Shiraz version of Waldorf salad, a favorite of mine. They have added curry chicken, greens and toasted pita ($8.50).

Three panini (sandwich) choices are served with either sesame fries or Mediterranean pasta salad ($7.00). Each of the three is dressed with a different tasty and imaginative spread. Two of four pizza offerings have seafood in the toppings and were recommended. Patrons at tables on both sides of us were enjoying the wood-fired pizzas, and several regular diners expressed continuing loyalty to the pizzas

I also heard rave reviews about several of the pasta choices. The pasta section of the menu has six choices from $7.50 to $8.95. Each sounds delicious and one, Jamaican Jerk Pasta, is described as having a spiced Caribbean sauce.

The entrées include Mousakka from Greece, chicken curry and tandoori chicken from India, black beans and rice with salsa from a Cajun cookbook, and eggplant Marrakech from Morocco are all enticing. My choice was yet another, the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Breast Special. It was delicious and more than I could finish.

My lunch partner chose the tandoori chicken ($8.59), served with basmati rice and a delicious peach chutney. The rice was enhanced with raisins, and sautéed vegetables accompanied this entrée. I recommend this dish as very appealing both in appearance and taste.

The deserts are sinful. Choices include tiramisu, crème brulee with lavender, Triple Mousse Round (a combination of dark, milk and white chocolate), a triple-layer carrot cake with praline filling dusted with toasted coconut, Grand Marnier Bambino (a rich chocolate cheesecake), Sour Cream Bambino, and a Capuccino Mousse Round (a rolled vanilla sponge cake embraced by cocoa). Dieters can stick with homemade sorbet. Impressed? I was.

Our waitress was enthusiastic without being annoying, and was helpful in advising about any unfamiliar menu items. The dinner menu is totally different and is available from 5 p.m. to close. Shiraz is closed between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. There is a patio area available when weather permits. The experience is well worth the drive from the Plaza, Crown Center, downtown or even Johnson County and South Kansas City.

Tips: There is ample parking in the lot across Southwest Boulevard; although, I felt a slight increase in the risk of crossing that thoroughfare after an enjoyable and ample meal because I was not quite as agile. The tables at Shiraz provide seating for about 75 people.

Lunch Hours: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Shiraz has live entertainment on Saturday evenings: a flamenco dancer and a guitarist performing two shows, at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Ratings: Impress a client and take-out. The imaginative menu items also earn a check for Friday (or any other day) fun. Not recommended for a working lunch because the noon crowd can be slightly distracting. There should be an additional category for Shiraz for ambiance.