Kansas

The White Linen, Topeka, KS, 4/8/26

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
building – 112 SW 6th Street, Topeka, KS 66603-3842

The White Linen serves a 4-course tasting or an a la carte menu.  Their tasting is different in that the first and dessert course are set but the second course has a choice as does the entree course, which also sets the price of your tasting.  If you want less or just some optional starter shared plates that is also an option.   Chef Adam VanDonge and his wife Kasie opened the restaurant about 8 years ago, to offer a fine-dining experience to Topeka residents.   The food is American with French accents and changes monthly based on seasonal offerings.  It’s a small place in an historic old bank building.  The bar was in a room across the hall and servers would ferry cocktails and food across.   Pictures from the town’s past line the walls and the wine storage is now in one of the vaults.   It’s an attractive space but there was no white linen on the tables and the napkins were polyester.   It gets great reviews online but the food was mixed and service amateurish, but then our server was new and Chef was not in house as he was at a new concept he’s developing nearby. Continue reading →

Saddles and Spurs Bar and Grill, Abilene, KS, 4/8/26

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building – 2309 N Buckeye Ave, Abilene, KS 67410

Saddles & Spurs opened on Dec. 29, 2025 in a past Dairy Queen building.  It was medium-sized with counter, booth and table seating options.  Windows along the front look out at the parking lot and nearby highways.  The wood floors go well with the bare wood tables that all seemd to be about the same size. (There are high top tables in the bar area).  Muted TV monitors are plentiful but one seemed to be streaming some music.  The menu was quite varied and they try and do as much in house as possible – they make their own corned beef.  Service was friendly and efficient in that one server worked the entire room and served as hostess and bus boy.  It’s not fancy but it’s one-of-a-kind serving generous portions of good enough food.   It’s near a highway, so give it a try when you’re in the area. Continue reading →