JJ's Restaurant fundraiser this Sunday

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On Sunday, April 7, The American Restaurant will host Saber! A Celebration for JJ's, bringing together the city's finest chefs and beverage vendors in support of the JJ's family.

Tickets available here:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/352903

The event includes tasting stations, silent auction and a "Hall of Fame" wine silent auction. The bottles will be signed by JJ's owner Jimmy Frantze. They include:

1.5 of Verite Le Desir
1.5 l of Cardinale
3 liter of Murphy Goode Cabernet
1.5 of Murphy Goode Liar's Dice Zin
1.5 of Edmeades Zin
3 liter of Freemark Abbey Cabernet
6 Liter of 1999 'Luce' Super Tuscan
750 ml 1999 Gaja Barbaresco 'Sori San Lorenzo", Piedmont, IT
3L 1989 Sean Thackrey "Orion" Old Vines Rossi VIneyard, Napa, CA
1.5 ml Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley vintage TBA
750 ml bottles from the 2011 vintage:
Siduri and Novy Wineries, donated by Adam Lee and Dianna Novy Lee
3L Cambria Chardonnay "Katherines Vineyard", Santa Maria Valley, CA
3L Cambria Pinot Noir, Santa Maria ,CA
3L Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
and many more

Saber! will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. with a special program at 7 p.m.

Participating restaurants and chefs include:
Craig Adcock (Jude's Rum Cake)
The American Restaurant
Bluestem/rye
The Broadway Cafe
Café Sebastienne
The Capital Grill
Coaches
Happy Gillis
Carter Holton
Jasper's
The Jacobson
Le Fou Frog
Local Pig
Lon Lane's Inspired Occasions
The Rieger Hotel, Grill & Exchange
Room 39
Starker's Restaurant

All money raised will be donated to the JJ's Staff Assistance Fund managed by Country Club Bank.

JJ's Restaurant Benefit and Silent Auction

 

 

There is another fundraiser coming up this coming Tuesday evening at 7 pm at Uptown Hall (formerly Uptown Theater) at 3700 Broadway.

It is sponsored by the official "Friends of JJ's" group and is to be a  "a party with JJ’s Restaurant owners, staff, patrons and friends in support of JJ's employees impacted by a devastating fire Feb. 19, 2013. Hosted by former Chiefs player Eddie Kennison and KCTV5’s Kelly Jones, attendees will enjoy food and drink from area restaurants while listening to live music on multiple stages and browsing a silent auction with a number of items from local merchants."

According to the press release:

Proceeds will benefit the immediate needs of JJ’s staff and employees impacted by the Plaza fire, as well as create a fund in honor of Megan Cramer, a JJ’s colleague who died in the Feb. 19 fire.

Tickets to the March 5 Benefit go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster.

And here's the great thing. Tickets to attend are only $10 for most of us working-class schmucks. It's an excellent way to be able to support this group affordably.

For those with more money and/or capabilities and for companies and corporations in town, there are yet more ways to help. Other ticket level groups are as follows:

Trésor Club - $500 – includes on-site event concierge, VIP door entry, secured parking, early access to silent auction at 6pm, access to private bar (complimentary food and beverages), super-premium seating, and commemorative poster.

Sabre Club - $200 – includes VIP door entry, access to private bar (complimentary food and beverages), premium seating, and commemorative poster.

The Locker Room - $100 – includes seating, two drink tickets, and commemorative poster.

So by all means, folks, let's be sure to put this on our calendars and get down to the Uptown to help these people.

And have a great time, at the same time.

For more information visit Friends of JJ's | Facebook, or contact Andrea Shores at friendsofjjs@gmail.com or 646.378.9885.

Thank you, in advance, for your contributions.

Additional links:  www.uptowntheater.com, index - Kansas City

Read more here: http://pressreleases.kcstar.com/release/messages/39652/#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://pressreleases.kcstar.com/release/messages/39652/#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://pressreleases.kcstar.com/release/messages/39652/#storylink=cpy

Judge, Jury and Executioners

Ever since the very tragic explosion and fire at JJ's restaurant on the Plaza, it seems clear that the local news programs--along with most of the rest of us, to follow suit--have become self-proclaimed judge, jury and executioner.

It's as old as humankind.

And then, as I said above, we all follow suit.

I don't know how many times I've heard, since the explosion, all the "armchair quarterbacking" on this tragedy: "If they smelled gas, why didn't they get everyone out?!"

Really.  It gets so tiresome.

The restaurant people were there. Some patrons. Some people using the backhoe for the subcontractor on the dig. One or two Missouri Gas and Electric officials and then the fire department.
THEY know what happened. They were there.

Everyone else is reacting as though the whole world knew, already, that the place was going to blow.

Could we all just climb down?

Oh, and shut up?

Let's stop second-guessing.

It was tragic. It is horrible.  It happened. Thank God more weren't killed.  Or hurt.

It's horribly sad and unfortunate it even happened, let alone that a young woman lost her life.

Judging what happened, when, actually, we don't even know the details--no matter what you heard on the news or read in the paper--serves no good purpose.

Just go out tonight and have dinner at one of the restaurants supporting JJ's and the employees and staff.

And let's shut the freak up.


Have a nice--if cold--weekend, y'all.

Go out to dinner tonight (for JJ's)

An update on the restaurants that are participating in tonight's one-day fundraiser for the staff and employees of JJ's Restaurant after this weeks tragic explosion:

The Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association (GKCRA) is bringing together Kansas City restaurants and diners in a citywide effort to assist JJ’s Restaurant employees after a gas explosion destroyed the restaurant on Tuesday, February 19. Today only – Saturday, February 23 – participating restaurants will donate 10 percent of sales to the JJ’s Restaurant Support Fund, a support account set up and managed by the GKCRA. The funds collected will be turned over to JJ’s Restaurant owner, Jimmy Frantze, and his management team to help his staff convalesce.

 

More than 110 Kansas City restaurants are currently participating, but this number anticipates increasing throughout the day on Friday, February 22. For full information and an ongoing updated list of participating restaurants for tomorrow’s benefit, visit http://pitch.pe/13b3fb2 or the GKCRA’s Facebook page at facebook.com/GKCRA.

 

In addition to the ten percent donation from the participating restaurants, diners will also have the chance to make freewill donations at the participating restaurants.

 

Participating restaurants include:

715 Restaurant (Lawrence)

Affare Restaurant

Aixois

Aixois Brasserie

Anton's Taproom

Blanc Burgers + Bottles (Country Club Plaza)

blue bird bistro

Blue Grotto

bluestem

Cafe des Amis

Cafe Europa

Cafe Gratitude

Café Sebastienne

Café Trio

Chaz on the Plaza

Classic Cup

Coach’s Bar & Grill (Kansas City)

Coach’s Bar & Grill (Overland Park)

Coal Vines

Coffee Girl's Cafe

Cupini's Deli

Duke’s on Grand

EBT Restaurant

Eden Alley Cafe

Eggtc (serves breakfast and lunch only)

Em Chamas Brazilian Grill

Extra Virgin

Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue (Freight House)

Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue (Country Club Plaza)

Fogo de Chao

FüD

Gaslight Grill

Golden Ox

Governor Stumpy's Grill House

Grand Street Café

Granfalloon Restaurant & Bar

Grinders

Jasper’s Restaurant

Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen (Kansas City)

Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen (Legends Outlets Kansas City)

Jess and Jim's Steakhouse

JULIAN

Kona Grill

La Bodega (Kansas City)

La Bodega (Leawood)

Le Fou Frog

Lew’s Grill & Bar

Lidia’s

Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge

McFadden’s Sports Saloon

Michael Forbes Bar & Grille

Michael Smith

Minsky’s Pizza (5105 Main Street)

Mio Italian Trattoria

Nara

Nica’s 320

O’Dowd’s Little Dublin (Country Club Plaza)

Oklahoma Joe’s (Kansas City)

Oklahoma Joe’s (Leawood)

Oklahoma Joe’s (Olathe)

Old Shawnee Pizza & Italian Kitchen (Shawnee)

Old Shawnee Pizza & Italian Kitchen (Lenexa)

Old Shawnee Pizza & Italian Kitchen (Kansas City)

O'Neill's Restaurant & Bar

Osteria Il Centro

Piropos Grille

Piropos Restaurant

Pizza 51 (Kansas City)

Pizza 51 West (Fairway)

Pizza Bar

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (Antioch Road, Gladstone)

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (Johnson Drive, Mission)

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (Prospect Avenue, Kansas City)

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (Troost Avenue, Kansas City)

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (State Line Road, Kansas City)

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (Linwood Blvd, Kansas City)

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (71 Highway, Grandview)

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (119th Street, Olathe)

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (Raytown Road, Raytown)

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (East US 40 Highway, Independence)

Popeyes Louisian Chicken (North Main Street, Lansing)

Providence New American Kitchen

Room 39 (Kansas City)

Room 39 (Leawood)

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

rye

Seasons 52

Snow & Co.

SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza (Kansas City)

Starker’s Restaurant

Story

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen

Tavern at Mission Farms

Tavern in the Village

Tengo Sed Cantina

The Bloomsbury Bistro (serves lunch only)

The Boot

The Capital Grille

The Dubliner

The Jacobson

The Kill Devil Club

The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange

The Roasterie Café (Kansas City)

The Roasterie Café (Brookside)

The Roasterie Café (Leawood)

The Well Bar, Grill & Rooftop

Trezo Mare

V’s Italiano Ristorante

Waldo Pizza (Kansas City)

Waldo Pizza (Lee's Summit)

Webster House

Westport Café & Bar
Westport Flea Market Bar & Grill

Wine Flights Bar & Bistro

Woodsweather Cafe

Ya Ya’s Euro Bistro

Those wishing to make a donation directly to the JJ's Restaurant Support Fund, may do so by February 28 by mailing a check or money order to:

Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association

JJ’s Restaurant Support Fund

4049 Pennsylvania, Suite 204

Kansas City, MO 64111

For more information on the GKCRA or the JJ’s Restaurant Support Fund, contact Angela Brunner or Steve Cole, GKCRA at 816-753-5222.

And thank you, in advance, for supporting this group.

Links: Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association

Fundraiser for the employee's and staff of JJ's Restaurant

JJ's restaurant fundraiser update

Tomorrow, Saturday, is the day.

 

From the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association  website:

The Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association is gathering our Restaurant Week participants and ANY restaurant who would like to participate to join in a city-wide, one day, Restaurant Week-style fundraiser. Participants will donate 10% of sales on Saturday, February 23, 2013 to the staff, families and victims of the tragedy at JJ’s.

Restaurants are also encouraged to have a “donation jar” available to accept cash or check donations from guests or employees if they’d like to contribute additional funds.

We, as restaurants and vendors, understand the overwhelming desire to help a fellow member of the restaurant community who has given so much to their neighbors and friends for so many years. It’s time to give back.

To sign up, simply email or give them a call 816-753-5222 to say you’re in by today, Friday, February 22nd.

100% of the proceeds will go to the JJ’s Restaurant Support Fund, c/o GKCRA 4049 Pennsylvania, Ste. 204, KCMO 64111

According to the Kansas City Originals Restaurants, the following restaurants will be participating:

 

Le Fou Frog
Blue Grotto
Nicas 320
The Well
Lew's
Ya Ya's Euro Bistro
Snow & Co
The Jacobson
The Roasterie Café (all 3 locations)
Classic Cup
Story
EBT Restaurant
Pizza 51
Golden Ox
Popeyes Chicken
The Capital Grille
SPIN Pizza - Main Street
Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen - Legends
Grand Street Café
Osteria Il Centro
Café Trio
Minsky's - Main St
Eggtc - Main St
Tavern at Mission Farms
Tavern in the Village
Blue Bird Bistro
Providence New American Kitchen
Coach's Kansas City
Coach's Overland Park
Chaz on the Plaza
La Bodega - Leawood
Seasons 52
Fogo de Chao
Ruth's Chris Steak House

Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue Restaurant

 

Kudos to all the restaurants, people and organizations who are joining in on this effort and to you, Kansas City.

 

Additional links:

 

INDIEGOGO - Donations
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fundraiser-for-the-employee-s-and-staff-of-jj-s-restaurant

FRIENDS OF JJ's BENEFIT - Tuesday, March 5 - A night of music at the Uptown Theatre. more info here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/448274298579657/?fref=ts

SERVERS IN SERVICE - Foundry and McCoy's servers raise money for JJ's. More info here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/348345018615214/?fref=ts

INNOVATIVE DESIGN & MARKETING LLC Event @ Prospero's Books- VISION Workshop - Creating the Life of Your Dreams. Portions of the proceeds from this event will be donated:
https://www.facebook.com/events/210449842435013/

 

POP UP FUNDRAISER - AMERICAN RESTAURANT
more information on this as it becomes available.

 

Please, if you can, join in this effort to help these people and this group.

A benefit for JJ's Restaurant!

 

The Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association, all Restaurant Week participating restaurants and many more restaurants from around the city are sponsoring a one night only event on February 23rd. 

 

It will be similar to Restaurant Week and 100% of the proceeds will benefit the staff, employees and victims of the tragic expolosion and fire at JJ's. 

 

Let's show them how much Kansas City cares! 

 

Will post more information here, as it's available.

You can also make a contribution here: Fundraiser for the employee's and staff of JJ's Restaurant

More than $12,000 has been raised here (at Indiegogo) already.  Good on you, Kansas City!

Farewell to a friend

You have to hand it to JJ's restaurant

Really, you have to hand it to the JJ's restaurant staff and management. I've written a little about this before but really, with the West Edge project first going up and the intitial blasting and then construction--which took months--and then the building sitting idle, right in front of them for two years, and now the tear down, they've been able to more than just survive, all this time. The picture above shows the West Edge building as of today. They put this on their Facebook page with the note that "Noticeable progress across the street over the weekend! These two sections were the same height on Friday." You have to hand it to these people. Clearly, these people make their food, service and atmosphere what they need to be. There have been many times when the street in front of the restaurant was blocked either completely or partially, time and again, over all these years--and it's been at least 6 years (I'm being conservative here) that they've had to put up with this mess.

So JJ's restaurant, I salute you. You obviously have what it takes to make it and it has taken a great deal of good, hard work, good food, good service and a lot of effort to make it while around you was a big mess. Lesser people and a lesser restaurant just wouldn't have made it, for sure. So readers, next time you want a good meal in a beautiful setting, you might keep JJ's in mind, if you don't already. Clearly a lot of people believe in this restaurant, their food and their people.

Thank you, Polsinelli, Shughart! (Now let's hear it for JJ's!)

That is some great news, what with the Polsinelli Shughart Law Firm deciding they would, in fact, build their new office building on the site of the West Edge Project. Is it a completely perfect solution? No, probably not, but it comes darn close. They get the new, sleek, mostly all glass office tower they wanted and this West Edge site gets used after all. Of course it will be some time what with having to tear down the shell of a building now, redo the foundation for the new building and then build the new one they want. Let's hear it for JJ's restaurant, their staff and clients and all their patience! This has been, probably, the worst nightmare for them, since they had to put up with the blasting and construction of this Moshe Safdie building, then waiting through this non-occupation mess and now this. I'll say this, you have to know 2 things about JJ's restaurant: first, it's great food, atmosphere and service or they wouldn't have made it. Second, they've done great marketing of the restaurant, in order to survive this business nightmare, on so many levels. Here's to you, JJ's! Salutations! There's light at the end of the tunnel! It's just going to take another year or so until, finally, there's a building across the street from you that's finished and occupied.

More damage from all this winter precipitation

 

This wall fell today, apparently in the middle of the day, around noon, on Belleview, just off the Plaza at 48th Street, around the corner from JJ's Restaurant.

Just too much winter precipitation for the wall to take.

Stay warm, safe and dry out there, folks.