3 Things to Do at the Wichita Botanica Gardens

Are you planning a party but have no idea what to do for the food? Just bring in a food truck! You'll provide your guests with quality, tasty food they'll love, and you can get back to hosting the party. Since there are so many delicious food truck options, we've compiled a shortlist of four of Wichita's best-rated trucks. more 1. Funky Monkey Munchies While some food trucks consistently use just one menu for the food they serve, Funky Monkey Munchies has a rotating menu. This means you could use Funky Monkey Munchies for several parties and enjoy a variety of delicious, organic-based food. This food truck takes a classic item and puts a tasty spin on it, like cherry cheesecake waffles, for example. A menu item you'll have to try is the jalapeno popper rolls. Dip these rolls in Funky Monkey Munchies's sweet chili sauce, and your taste buds will experience sweet and spicy all at once. 2. The Flying Stove The Flying Stove also changes up their menu to keep you coming back for more of their delicious food. The level of flavor they pack into each dish will leave you satisfied and wanting more at the same time. The menu generally consists of tacos, sandwiches, burgers, and fries, but with their own flair to each item. You can't go wrong with their bleu cheeseburger, kale grilled cheese sandwich, or truffle fries. If you want something delicious that's sure to please the whole crowd, bring in The Flying Stove. 3. LumpiaPalooza If you've never tried lumpia before, you definitely should. Lumpia is essentially the Filipino version of a spring roll, but LumpiaPalooza makes lumpia with quite a variety of ingredients. The owners of LumpiaPalooza first opened a restaurant in Wichita called the Parsnipity Cafe, which is now no longer open. The owners decided to stick with just the food truck, so if you want the best lumpia in town, order from LumpiaPalooza. You can order a classic lumpia with sweet and sour sauce or try something completely different, like a macaroni and cheese lumpia or even a cookie dough lumpia. 4. Noble House Hawaiian Plate If you want a more Hawaiian-themed menu, check out Noble House Hawaiian. While Noble House Hawaiian is a restaurant based in Wichita, you won't want to pass up the opportunity to bring a taste of Hawaii to your guests by bringing in their food truck or team of caterers. The menu consists of several plate lunch variations, so you can go classic or try something very different. For instance, you can order the Hulihuli Chicken, which consists of marinated and charbroiled chicken, or Lau Lau, which consists of a piece of pork and butterfish wrapped steamed in a taro leaf and tea leaf. Noble House Hawaiian also caters sushi. Take a load off your event planning. Bring in any one of these four food trucks, and your guests won't be able to stop talking about how good the food was for the rest of the day. Image via Pixabay by kendallpools

Whether you need space, power, or to feel luxurious in a car, Mazda has an SUV for you. Here's the lowdown on three Mazdas so you can determine which one fits your lifestyle best. more Mazda CX-9 The Mazda CX-9 is available in four trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature. All trims are available in all-wheel drive, while the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring are also available with front-wheel drive. This SUV is powered by a Skyactiv-G 2.5-turbo four-cylinder engine with Dynamic Pressure Turbo that gets 250 horsepower. Each Mazda CX-9's engine is paired with a Skyactiv six-speed automatic transmission. The 18.0-inch aluminum wheels, body-colored rear roof spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets give the CX-9 a sporty look. The Grand Touring stands out with aluminum roof rails with a satin chrome finish and 20.0-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. One of the perks of owning the CX-9 is that it is great for large families or those transporting team members because it seats up to seven passengers. Inside the cabin, you'll find luxurious amenities such as leather-trimmed seats, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof. A 7.0-inch full-color touch screen display and access to MazdaConnect keep you connected while on the go. Mazda CX-5 If you like a car with more options to select from, the Mazda CX-5 is your SUV because it can be customized in five trim levels — Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature. The Skyactive-G 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine (with Cylinder Deactivation) delivers 187 horsepower. Mazda has paired this engine with a Skyactive-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode and manual-shift. The C X -5 has an aggressive appearance and available features, including a roof-mounted shark-fin antenna, body-colored rear roof spoiler, and bright finish dual exhaust outlets. LED headlights light the way ahead, and body-colored power side mirrors with LED turn signals ensure others know your intentions. With this car's Mazda Connect infotainment system and a 7.0-inch touch screen display with Bluetooth and Pandora integration, you now have both information and entertainment apps at the touch of a finger. Two USB inputs allow you to keep your devices charged and at the ready. Mazda CX-3 Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring are the three trim levels available for the Mazda CX-3. Each of these sport a Skyactive-G 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with VVT. This engine will arrive paired with a Skyactive-Drive six-speed automatic transmission, and get 148 horsepower. A rear roofline spoiler and roof-mounted shark-fin antenna keep the lines sleek, and clear-lens halogen headlights light up your path.  The Touring and Grand Touring feature heated side mirrors and a piano black pillar garnish. There's plenty of room for five passengers to sit comfortably in the CX-3. If you love the feel of luxury, this is the SUV for you. The Sport has cloth-trimmed sport seats, while the seats in the Touring and Grand Touring are leather-trimmed. Also, the Grand Touring features a power sliding glass moonroof, leather steering wheel, and a Bose seven-speaker audio sound system. All trims include a Mazda Connect infotainment system, a 7.0-inch touch screen display, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and push-button start. With so many great options, you're sure to find the perfect Mazda SUV to suit your lifestyle. Image via MazdaUSA.com

If you're planning a romantic dinner or just in the mood for a delicious meal in a classy place, be sure to check out these fine dining restaurants in Wichita, Kansas. more Wine Dive With an eclectic menu and a relaxed ambiance, Wine Dive not only serves delicious cuisine but also has an extensive wine list that perfectly pairs with your meal. Lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch are served. Start off your meal with the beef bruschetta topped with cream cheese and chopped beef tenderloin, or opt for the drunken bread, which is a homemade casserole of local baguette crumbles, prosciutto, and Gruyere mixed in a white wine sauce. For the lighter appetite, try the apple harvest salad, which includes Gala apples, candied pecans, bleu cheese crumbles, and dried cranberries, or the Fattoush salad, which includes mixed greens, mint, parsley, cilantro, baked naan bread, tomatoes, and more. For the main course, go wild with the lobster, shrimp, and crab mac and cheese, wild boar bolognese, or the twister linguine. Save room for dessert and order the chocolate torte, s'mores, or crème brûlée. Wine Dive is located at 4714 E Douglas and is open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Chester's Chophouse & Wine Bar Chester's Chophouse & Wine Bar exemplifies fine dining. With rich mahogany woods, stone fireplaces, and glove-soft leather booths, this classic American chophouse has an inviting, yet classy atmosphere. From large windows, you'll enjoy beautiful views of the water while you dine. While known for their corn-fed, perfectly marbled and aged Midwestern beef that is cooked over a wood fire, the restaurant has a menu full of mouthwatering entrees that are sure to please your palate. Begin your meal with the Bangkok calamari with sweet chili glaze or Beef Carpaccio with warm potato and arugula salad. For your entrée, try the maple mustard salmon or cut into a 22-ounce USDA prime bone-in cowboy rib-eye steak. Chester's Chophouse & Wine Bar is located at 1550 North Webb Road and is open Sunday from 4:30-9 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 4:30-10 p.m. Café Bel Ami For a French Mediterranean dining experience, head to Café Bel Ami. This long-established restaurant in downtown Wichita serves lunch and dinner. For starters, try a cup of soup du jour or scalloped bouchée, which is sautéed scallops in a pastry shell with a cream garlic sauce. For your entrée, try one of the specialties, such as the Seafood Curry, braised lamb shank, or filet au poivre, which is a center-cut tenderloin with a five-pepper sauce. For dessert, dig into the crème custard or apple and pear bread pudding. Café Bel Ami is located at 229 E William St, Suite 1010 and is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 5-9 p.m. From steaks to seafood to wine and more, these are some of the best fine dining restaurants in Wichita. Image via Pixabay by guillermomuro00