Dish & Drink KC: Hojicha at Goat Hill and biriyani at Moti Mahal

Goat Hill Coffee Soda // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Some coffee shop visits are meticulously planned—checking menus, mapping the best seat in the house, and prepping for the perfect Instagram shot. This was not one of those visits.

After a satisfying brunch in the Westside neighborhood, we found ourselves wandering with no particular destination in mind. Then, like a casual plot twist, we spotted Goat Hill Coffee & Soda and figured, why not? There was no need to check the time, no reason to grab a to-go cup. Instead, we let the moment happen—two people, a cozy window seat, and steaming hot drinks. Cue the indie film soundtrack.

With a menu full of tempting options, I landed on Hojicha, a roasted green tea that’s like matcha’s moodier, smokier sibling. It’s rich, toasty, and subtly sweet, the kind of drink that makes you want to slow down and let it linger on your tongue. 

The café itself? Tiny but mighty. The kind of small that makes every seat feel intentional, every conversation feel like a low-key vibe check. The energy in there is bright, warm, and effortlessly cool, like it was designed for meet-cutes and deep life convos. 

And then there’s the natural light. Oh, the light. Goat Hill’s windows don’t just let the sun in; they invite it to soften the space, warm up the energy, and give everything that dreamy, cinematic glow. Sitting by the window, watching the world move outside while we stayed perfectly still inside, I had one of those rare, fleeting moments of this feels like a scene from a movie. A quiet, unhurried pause in the middle of the day, wrapped in the smell of fresh coffee and the warmth of my Hojicha.

But Goat Hill isn’t just about the aesthetics. Their menu is small but thoughtfully curated, featuring locally roasted beans, house-made sodas, and specialty drinks that make you want to branch out from your usual order.

Goat Hill Coffee & Soda is located at 811 W. 17th St. Kansas City, Missouri 64108.

Moti Mahal // Photo By Tiffany Watts

This year, my close friends and I decided to head out for some fun on Valentine’s Day, but first, we needed to eat. Before any plans could unfold, our priority was simple: find food, fast.

Typically, Valentine’s Day comes with a set of expectations—fancy dinners, candlelit tables, and prix-fixe menus designed for two—but for us, it had nothing to do with romance and everything to do with hunger. After long, exhausting days, we weren’t looking for roses and chocolate; we were on a mission to find something warm, satisfying, and worth every bite.

That search led us to Moti Mahal, a longtime Kansas City staple known for its rich, flavorful Indian cuisine. Tucked away in Westport, the restaurant may not look like much from the outside, but inside, the warm scent of cumin, coriander, and slow-simmered curries welcomed us like a hug.

Without hesitation, we ordered a table full of food, but the two things we loved the most were the garlic naan and the biryani. The naan arrived hot, buttery, and irresistibly soft, with just the right amount of crispness around the edges. We tore off pieces and used the fluffy bread as a utensil to scoop up our food. The biryani, both vegetable and chicken, was perfumed with saffron, each bite layered with spice and heat.

As the night went on, exhaustion gave way to satisfaction. Conversations flowed freely between bites, and we traded stories between mouthfuls. By the time we reached the final stretch, plates nearly cleared but hands still reaching for the last bit of rice, we realized that this impromptu Valentine’s gathering had turned into something memorable—not for romance, but for the sheer joy of sharing a meal that was as rich in flavor as it was in comfort.

Moti Mahal is located at 4113 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111.