The Korean short ribs were rich and flavorful and left me wanting more.
Submitted by Mary Ann Castillo
In mid-March, the space formerly occupied by Bella Italia in downtown Cape Girardeau welcomed a new resident: URBAN Kitchen & Bar.
The hip-sounding name piqued my interest after seeing social media posts praising its mid-March opening, but I had to adjust my schedule to visit before my trip.
A post on Urban Kitchen's Facebook page describing Korean short ribs only increased my impatience, but I was resigned to delaying my first visit by a few weeks.
Next thing I knew, I was sitting at a bar-height table by the window, patiently waiting for my food. I spoke with one of the owners. If I were a responsible writer, I would write this column right after I ate, when my thoughts and memories were fresh. Unfortunately, the islands beckoned and as I focused on passing his TSA inspection while getting through his eight days of business, leisure and self-harm with just the contents of my carry-on, I ended up I relied on my go-to packing method. A week before I threw away the contents of my wallet in lieu of essentials. Good news? It passed the TSA inspection with flying colors. The bad news?My notes from my first visit to Urban Kitchen were MIA
Even though I didn't have a handy dandy note, I vividly remembered Korean galbi. It was very soft and delicious. Similarly, the egg rolls were flavorful and fresh, crispy and light. I remember wanting to eat more and feeling physically full at the same time.
Pho's traditional clear and light soup does not give you any sense of depth of flavor at first glance.
Submitted by Mary Ann Castillo
Then I traveled thousands of miles across states and oceans.
Afterwards, I came back refreshed, rejuvenated, energized, educated, and motivated.
When I started developing ideas for this column, I checked in with some food-loving friends to get their unbiased feedback on their Urban Kitchen experiences.
they were at odds. The food was delicious, but they left us with more questions than answers. Why did the UK still have a “soft opening”? When will the UK expand to a full menu? Why did the decor look a bit… uninspiring? Why did the alcohol Was it not prepared? How do you eat pho?
I was confused. I had a great experience…but I almost always do. I couldn't in good conscience proceed without further investigation. After doing some research, I returned to Urban Kitchen last Sunday, took a seat at the bar, and ordered Saigon Pho. While waiting for my order, I had a chance to speak with the other half of the ownership team, Stephen Pham. He was cheerful and friendly, happy to answer all my questions and share his vision for Urban Kitchen & Bar. .
Soft opening is basically a testing period. As a graduate of SEMO, Pham and his fiance fell in love with Cape Girard. With the creation of Urban Kitchen & Bar, Pham and his business partners envisioned offering a Southeast Asian culinary experience in a warm and comfortable environment. He looks around the dining area and realizes the decor is not where they want it to be, but they are slowly getting closer. They received their liquor license a week ago and are looking forward to adding unique Asian cocktails to their menu as they continue to grow in all areas.
Urban Kitchen & Bar, located at 20 N. Spain St. in downtown Cape Girardeau, is committed to using only the freshest ingredients.
Submitted by Mary Ann Castillo
This was Pham's first foray into restaurant management, and he confidently admits it was quite a learning curve. I don't think people really appreciate the hours of behind-the-scenes work that goes into developing and implementing a complete culinary experience. As he described Urban's vision for his Kitchen & Bar, I suddenly felt privileged to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to follow a dream. I thought that in a few months, this might be the new “it” spot downtown and I'd be able to say, “I remember when that was.”
Saigon Pho has arrived. My server, without prompting, explained the ingredients while providing basic instructions on how to eat the pho.
The warm, clear soup was very meaty and firm, and the brisket was rich and flavorful. The fresh Thai leaves added an earthy touch, and the bean sprouts provided a crunchy texture. The addition of a dark hoisin sauce gives it a smoky sweetness, and the fiery red sriracha adds a little spice.
If I were a betting man, I'd bet my money on Urban Kitchen & Bar's success. If I were you, I'd pay a visit sooner rather than later.
Urban Kitchen & Bar is located at 20 N. Spain St. in Cape Girardeau.
Mary Ann Castillo has over 50 years of food and beverage experience and has no plans to stop.
At Urban Kitchen & Bar, we welcome and appreciate your honest suggestions and feedback as we aim to provide the complete culinary experience.
Submitted by Mary Ann Castillo
