Dish & Drink KC: Exploring the flavors of La Tacita de Café and Black Garlic
La Tacita De Cafe // Photo by Tiffany Watts
La Tacita de Café may be a small cafe in a small city, but they’re doing really big things–bringing West Coast vibes to Kansas City without the West Coast prices.
And not just “vibes” as in their energy, either.
I recently traveled back to California, where I used to live, and was quickly reminded of what I miss most: the way cafés and restaurants naturally build vegan options, sugar-free choices, and healthier sweeteners right into their menus. It means you don’t have to compromise flavor for personal health needs. The balance is already there.
That’s my vibe: menu options that are both healthy and delicious. Their menu opened up possibilities I usually don’t have in North Kansas City, letting me try things I wouldn’t normally get to enjoy.
Feeling excited, I ordered a 24-oz Cocoa Banana Crush made with cocoa, bananas, vanilla, oat milk, and agave ($7.50). The first sip hit with rich, chocolatey goodness, quickly smoothed out by the natural sweetness of banana and the silkiness of oat milk. It was like a dessert and a smoothie had met in the middle. Comforting, filling, and just sweet enough without being over the top.
I was also intrigued by their lineup of fresh juices and panini-pressed breakfast and lunch sandwiches, but I’ll save those delights for another day.
La Tacita de Café is located at 2304 NW Vivion Rd, Riverside, MO 64150.
Black Garlic Restaurant // Photo by Tiffany Watts
If you’re looking for another good fusion restaurant, look no further than Black Garlic. The menu blends the culinary traditions of Ethiopia and the Caribbean, two beautiful cultures that specialize in bold spices and flavors.
Lucky for all of us, they just expanded their hours, meaning that they’re now open every day except Mondays. Hungry and eager to try something new, my friend and I popped in to try out their lunch menu.
Of course, I had to start with the roasted Brussels sprouts ($15) and bannane peze ($10) for an appetizer. The Brussels sprouts were pan-fried and made with caramelized onions, candied walnuts, red wine vinegar, and cilantro sauce. The bannane peze is simply fried sweet plantain with pikliz, but the flavors weren’t simple at all.
Honestly, the starters ended up being the highlight of the meal because every bite was packed with flavor. The Brussels sprouts were charred just right. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and balanced by the tang of red wine vinegar, then lifted by the freshness of cilantro sauce. But the bannane peze disappeared first. I loved how they caramelized the plantains, making sure the edges were just crisp enough to contrast their soft, sweet center, while the pikliz added a fiery crunch that made each bite pop.
Sure, on the surface, they seemed simple, but the flavors were layered and complex, keeping us reaching for more.
For my entrée, I went with the smoked jerk wings ($19), served with mango salsa and fries. Flavor-wise, they were tasty, but I found myself wishing for either more wings or larger ones to match the price point. I was also expecting the bold, fiery kick of jerk seasoning, but the sauce leaned more toward a sweet barbecue profile. Still enjoyable, just not the spice-forward punch I was craving, especially after the starters set the bar so high.
Overall, I was impressed and very much looking forward to my next trip. I hear they’ll have cocktails and live music soon, and I’m always down to sip, eat, and jam.
Black Garlic Restaurant is located at 3601 Broadway Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64111.
