Dish & Drink KC: Global-inspired flavors savored just north of the river

Thai Orchid // Photo By Tiffany Watts

If you’re ever in KC’s Northland and craving something that hits hard on flavor and spice (if you’re into that), do yourself a favor and pull up to Thai Orchid.

I ordered the Spicy Basil Fried Rice ($16.95) with shrimp and asked for it hot because if I’m going to do Thai food, I want it to hit. No egg for me, just the essentials: stir-fried rice layered with garlic, chili, scallions, bell peppers, onions, peas, and plenty of fresh basil. The shrimp were plump and tender, and the spice built slowly in a way that kept me going back for another bite before the last one even cooled. It was bold, balanced, and exactly the kind of heat I’d hoped for.

The lunch special came with two crab rangoons, piping hot with crisp, golden shells and a side of sweet plum sauce. I don’t do dairy, so I passed the rangoons to my friend, but I held onto the sauce. I ended up drizzling it over the fried rice, and honestly, it worked. The sweetness cut through the heat in a way that made the whole dish even better.

I added a carafe of hot sake, just because. It was warm, clean, and quietly smooth, easy to sip between bites of fire without trying to compete.

The place was calm, the service was kind, and the food came out fast. It wasn’t a long lunch, but it was a good one—and I’d go back for that fried rice alone.

Thai Orchid has two locations. This one is located at 464 NW Legacy Drive, Kansas City, MO 64155.

Sail Away Wine // By Tiffany Watts

I don’t know about you, but in my mind, there’s something about day drinking in a sunlit space that just feels indulgent in the best way. At Sail Away Wine, it’s less of a guilty pleasure and more of a routine worth keeping. The space is bright and full of energy. Lively enough for a date, chill enough for a solo sip.

What makes Sail Away even more fun is its rotating cocktail concept. Each month, they feature a new drink inspired by a different country. One visit, you’re sipping something Brazilian and bold, the next you’re transported to Spain or South Korea, glass by glass. It’s a passport without the TSA.

This month’s featured cocktail? The Ménage à Trois—a tropical, fruit-forward drink that’s as flirty as the name suggests. Made with pineapple juice, raspberry liqueur, and vodka, it somehow manages to be light, juicy, and just strong enough to keep things interesting. The pineapple gives it that smooth, island feel, while the raspberry liqueur adds a tart-sweet edge that makes the whole thing feel like summer in a glass. And the vodka? Let’s just say it holds it all together without making a scene.

Sail Away isn’t trying too hard—it doesn’t need to. Some places just get it right without all the noise. Next month, they’re setting sail for South America. All aboard!

Sail Away Wine is at 309 Armour Rd, North Kansas City, MO, 64116.