KC Sipps: Pay-what-you-can pho, Le Lounge adds snacks, and a vintage shopper’s dream at Vine Street Brewing

KC Sipps logo by Theodore Rosen

Life in KC is pretty delicious. In fact, there is often so much going on that it can be hard to decide where to go and what to try.

That’s where I come in. 

I’ve curated this weekly list of events, openings, deals, and celebrations to keep you in-the-know. Cheers!

Something New

News Bites: Now through December 21, Tannin in Crossroads is taking reservations for its annual Hanukkah dinner service between 4 – 10 p.m. The dinner is $55 per person with an optional wine pairing addition, and features three courses of matzoh ball soup, brisket, and apple cinnamon babka bread pudding.

Lucky Elixir kombucha has brought back its holiday variety pack. Available anywhere via delivery, but made in North KC, the red and green-themed box could be a festive host gift or n/a party contribution. The flavors include tangerine ginger, cherry vanilla, pomegranate lemon, and Mexican cake. The 12-pack size is $36.

The next time you’re at a sporting goods or clothing store, grab a pack of Nike crew socks (size 8-12) and hold on to them until your next coffee run. Chingu Coffee in the West Plaza neighborhood is collecting them on behalf of Freedom Hoops through the end of this month.

Closing

Cafe Tempo: If you were planning to visit the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Overland Park and grab a bite from Cafe Tempo on site, make other plans. The campus cafe has closed for winter break and will reopen on January 20. In the meantime, The Wooden Spoon is nearby and serves breakfast and lunch.

December 19

Le Lounge: If I had a nickel for every time someone texted me to report that the crowd at Le Lounge that night must be out-of-town niche celebrities or posse for some touring musician, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s strange that it’s happened twice. That’s the vibe there, though. A year and a half after opening as a ground-floor bar inside No Vacancy, the cool kid space is adding food. A new hors d’oeuvre menu drops tonight. It’s light on meat and portion sizes, but to be fair, it is called hors d’oeuvres–not mains. A bowl of pickled beans may seem like a strange choice for a hip bar, but if I’m being honest with you, I must be a target audience because I would immediately order a glass bowl of beans with a cocktail. 

Flight at Vine Street Brewing // Photo by Sarah Sipple

December 20

Vine Street Brewing: An event that a shopper like me dreams of… a curated under-$30 vintage market at a stellar brewery. Plus, free admission. Treat yourself to a brew or a tasting flight and peruse the 20+ vendors for any last-minute gifts, or for the chance at finding a Y2K or vintage item from your running secondhand shopping list. (I know I’m not the only one.) My go-to brew here is Jazzman, a dark lager.

City Barrel Pizza: Both locations of City Barrel are throwing a gingerbread house-making party and competition at noon! All ages are welcome to enjoy the winter craft, and tickets are $19.63 for adults. That includes one gingerbread house and a BOGO drink special. If you’re feeling confident about your design, you can have it included in City Barrel’s social media contest for a chance to win a happy hour party for six people.

Makin Come Eat: The Laotian food vendor will be posted up at Made Mobb from 3 – 7 p.m. (or sellout) as a fundraiser for Hella Good Deeds. This is a pay-what-you-can style fundraiser in exchange for a bowl of pho, and 100% of profits go towards the community organization for celebrating and sharing Asian culture.