KC Sipps: First Friday eats, Green Dirt Farm expands to Crossroads

Art by Cassondra Jones

Looking for delicious plans? Whether you want to impress a date, show your fam the best of KC, or just get out of the house, we’ve got you covered… all while supporting (mostly) local. 

Here is your weekly roundup of the best food and drink offerings around Kansas City. Cheers!

Something new

Drastic Measures: The James Beard Award-nominated cocktail bar in Shawnee is running a fundraiser for World Central Kitchen in response to the killing of aid workers this week in Gaza. 100% of the proceeds from the Strawberry Shortcake cocktail will go to World Central Kitchen. It is a pretty-in-pink spiced strawberry rum sour with an icing foam. The bar is first come, first served and open Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Opening

Green Dirt on Oak: From the team at Weston’s Green Dirt Farm comes Green Dirt on Oak, now open in East Crossroads! Owner Sarah Hoffmann has brought local sheep cheeses, fresh baked bread, and more to the revitalized building (complete with a rooftop patio). It is open as of today, with reservations for seating available as well as grab-and-go items. There is a bar, cafe, event space, and more, open Wednesdays through Sundays. An easy place to start would be the Monger’s Choice cheese board, with three local cheese selections, fresh sourdough bread, honey, fruit, and nuts for $28. 

City Market Farmers Market: Though the Farmers Market at City Market has already been open, this weekend is an unofficial spring kickoff! They are welcoming the spring season by giving away reusable totes to the first 500 shoppers on Saturday and Sunday. Stop by the Farmers Market Information Tent at 5th & Walnut to pick up your bag. Farmers Market hours are 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. now through October.

Sweet Kiss Brigadeiro: The Brazilian chocolate shop, Sweet Kiss Brigadeiro, has opened a third location–the latest one at Summit Fair in Lee’s Summit! It is open now and celebrating a grand opening on April 6. Not only does this location serve brigadeiros and desserts but also coffee drinks, cocktails, and wine. 

April 5

First Fridays: In celebration of their “vote no” efforts, Mean Mule Distiling Co. in Crossroads is giving away free merch to the first 100 customers after 6 p.m. Disco Burger will be popped-up at Big Mood Natural Wines starting at 7 p.m. Devoured pizza will be serving from Casual Animal Brewery starting at 5 p.m. Made Mobb is bringing in food trucks such as Makin Come Eat, BRockEnzO Pizza, Turkey Legg Man, and more. In addition to their staple tamales, empanadas, and drinks, Café Corazón will have an art show featuring The Black Queer Archive from 5 – 9 p.m.

April 6

Eat Local & Organic Expo: The annual Eat Local & Organic Expo returns to Johnson County Community College from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.. With a focus on kids, the all-ages event provides a chance to learn from and shop over 30 KC Food Circle farmers. The event is free to attend, but those who register online ahead of time will be entered for a variety of prizes. 

District Biskuits: Do you have your KC Black Owned Kickstart Keychain? If so, here’s an event for you; if not, grab one online and pick it up here! From 9 – 11 a.m., KC Black Owned is hosting a community pop-up party at District Biskuits in North Kansas City. In case you need order inspo here, I happily recommend the “Charlie Hustle” which is a housemade biscuit with Nashville hot fried chicken filet, hot honey butter, creamy coleslaw, dill pickles, house sauce, and chives.

Brookside Brunch Walk: From 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., pop into any of the 18 participating Brookside businesses for a brunch celebration! For example, Homegrown is offering a free Pop’d Heart with a Mimosa or Bloody Mary purchase, and Brookside Barrio is offering $15 bottomless Mimosas with an entree purchase.

Plan Ahead

715: In Lawrence, 715 is hosting a wine dinner with Trione Vineyards of Sonoma County on April 10. The communal-style dinner costs $125 and includes six courses (like steak tartare and cocoa ravioli with prosciutto) with four wine pairings, plus wine education. It will be held in their private dining room called 725.

The Wine Bunker: On April 11, The Wine Bunker in Overland Park’s Prairiefire center, is hosting a wine-tasting event. For $75, guests can taste and learn about five wines from owner and winemaker Mark Neal of Neal Family Wines. Charcuterie and cheese will be provided, along with an option to purchase wines at a discounted rate.

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