IN THE NEWS: The Star’s Joyce Smith reports, “Longtime Kansas City restaurateur Tom Macaluso has died. D.W. Newcomer’s Sons confirmed that Macaluso, 58, died [June 8] at his apartment. For 14 years the brawny Macaluso held court behind the bar of his namesake restaurant Macaluso’s, a bar he decked out with wind-up toys. Customers were often “greeted” with a gruff demand to sit down and quit blocking the entrance, or even chased down in the parking lot when they left a skimpy tip after receiving good service. Some patrons found it endearing; some vowed never to return. But in February 2007 it was Macaluso who walked away from the operation that he called his “child.” Business was down at the location at 1403 W. 39th St., which he blamed on too many restaurants, especially chain operations. Macaluso also said he was tired of trying to be “on” every night. He started his restaurant career at Nabil’s on Broadway as “manager, waiter, bartender and busboy” before opening Macaluso’s in 1993.” … Lauren Chapin reviews Phnom Penh Restaurant (3537 Independence Ave.) and Islamorada Fish Company (In the Bass Pro Shop, 18001 Bass Pro Drive, Independence). kansascity.com … The Pitch’s Charles Ferruzza reviews Stroud’s South (4200 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway). pitch.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Filed under: Kansas City Restaurants | Tags: Islamorada Fish Company, Macaluso's, Phnom Penh, Stroud's South |