Dish & Drink KC: Must-try hotspots in the Northland

Luna’s Chicken And Seafood // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Let me just start by saying: if you’re like me and prefer your wings spicy and saucy, Luna’s Chicken and Seafood needs to be on your radar. With four locations scattered across the city, chances are there’s one close enough to answer the call when the cravings hit.

My family and I made a quick pit stop there for lunch recently. The smell alone had us sold before we even saw the menu, which by the way, is stacked with options that make you want to order more than your stomach can actually handle.

At first, I had my eye on the 5-wing combo for $9.99. But then I saw the 10-piece wing dings for $13.79. No brainer. I grabbed those for my mom and me with hot honey sauce. I didn’t even request extra sauce like I usually do. I wanted to see how they do things first.

My daughter kept it simple with the 3-piece tenders ($5.99), topped with their spicy seasoning and paired with the honey chipotle sauce.

The food came out piping hot and dripping with flavor. Literally. The wings were perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in the hot honey sauce. In case you’re curious, the hot honey sauce wasn’t actually spicy hot. But the flavor was still phenomenal. Especially paired with the crispy, well-seasoned meat. 

My daughter loved her tenders, but she wasn’t into the chipotle sauce (she’s not a big BBQ fan), but no worries. We had plenty of hot honey sauce to share, and she happily used that as a dip instead. I stole a bite or two when she wasn’t looking, and yep, the spicy tenders with that hot honey? Delicious.

They’ve got all the good stuff—seafood, sides, platters—but we stuck to the chicken this time. Next visit, I’m making a beeline for one of those seafood combos. If the wings are any indication, it’s going to be worth it.

Luna’s Chicken and Seafood is located at 7403 N Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, MO 64118 (and three additional KC locations that can be found on their website).

Cội Nguồn: Origin Coffeehouse // Photo by Tiffany Watts

It only took one latte from Cội Nguồn: Origin Coffeehouse for it to land a spot on my list of favorite cafes in Kansas City. For context, I’m usually the type to scan the menu before I even step inside. But this time? I didn’t do any of that. No planning, no pre-scroll. I just went, ready to be surprised.

I’d been hearing about them for a while, ever since they started popping up around the city. So when they opened the physical location in June, I was genuinely excited, especially because it’s another woman- and Vietnamese-owned cafe putting down roots in Kansas City. 

I love to see it.

When we got there, my daughter’s and my taste buds were in very different moods. So I grabbed something from the caffeine side of the menu, and she picked from the non-caffeinated drinks.

I ordered the Phin Latte ($5.75) with oat milk and honey. If you’ve never had one before, a phin latte is made using a traditional Vietnamese brewing method. Hot water slowly drips through coffee grounds using a metal filter, creating a bold, concentrated cup. Let me tell you, that drink had power. I felt energized in the best way, and that energy carried throughout the rest of my day.

Also, sidenote: I usually don’t feel the greatest after coffee. But this one? No jitters, no crash. I don’t know what kind of magic that is, but I’m noting it here for future me (and for you, too).

My daughter ordered the Strawberry Mixed Iced Yogurt ($6.50), which they described as a strawberry smoothie made with yogurt, milk, and condensed milk. She was all smiles. It was tasty and refreshing, she said. So, consider her a new fan too. 

Cội Nguồn: Origin Coffeehouse is located at 7711 N Oak Trafficway, Suite A, Kansas City, Missouri 64118.