K-K-K-Kansas City and C-C-C-Calamari

I've written here before how I loathe, among other things (like cheapness and really cheap people, among others) food trends. Fondue was and is just silly. It will also be nice when, hopefully one day soon, people can enjoy sushi--if they do--without having needed to be part of the group that had to "do it." That said, another fad food I've always despised in Kansas City is calamari. The only good or tempting thing about this "food"--and I use that term loosely here to describe anything that doesn't disagree with you that also goes in your mouth and digestive system--is the name. Calamari is fun to say but it stops there. If you ever want a chewy, flavorless food that also happens to be deep-fried, this is your dish. At least it is in this town. If, in other cities, this "food" is seasoned and tasty, I'd love to travel there and have it, just for the experience and to prove it can be done. If you sense I was just tricked or willed into it recently, yet again, you would be correct. It was this past Saturday evening on the Plaza at the new Coal and Vines. The place is fun enough and has great energy and it's attractive on the inside, what with it's walls of wines and small, twinkling votive candles but keep this in mind---don't get the calamari. The salmon tartare I'd recommend (if only they'd give a far more proper and equal balance of chips to tartare ratio--what were they thinking?). Do you suppose Europe tolerates goofy, unnecessary food trends the way we do here in the States?