Dish & Drink KC: Nights out and about at MuNi and Gram & Dun

Tommy’s Margarita at MuNi // Photo by Tiffany Watts

Since opening doors in Kansas City’s Rivermarket, MuNi has been all the rage and not just for its culinary creations. 

If you haven’t been yet, prepare your tastebuds. I’m talking Birria Dumplings made with a cheese crust, consume, queso chihuahua, and cilantro. Or how about their Elotes Thailandeses, a grilled fresh corn, crema, cotija cheese, Thai spicy mayo, all rolled in Hot Cheeto dust. 

Sounds delicious. I know. 

I also know that what I’m about to say, especially after mentioning those menu options, will sound a bit absurd, but I didn’t go there to eat. I really just wanted to wander in, grab a cold cocktail, and maybe strike up a conversation or two with some strangers. 

Plus, I was curious about something. I’ve been asking myself as I pop by different bars and restaurants one question: When it comes to cocktails, can this place nail the basics?

I skimmed the cocktail menu looking for a drink with three ingredients or fewer. Meaning, I skipped the layered mixologist inventions and zeroed in on simplicity. It came down to two classics: an Old Fashioned or a Tommy’s Margarita. I went with the latter: Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave ($11). Just three ingredients, but when done right? Perfection.

Once the margarita arrived, I took my first sip and it hit like a warm breeze on a long day: clean, zesty, and balanced. The lime was fresh and vibrant, the agave just sweet enough. The tequila was smooth, with a little kick that reminded me why this drink is such a classic. It was bright, refreshing, and comforting all at once.

So I had another.

And somewhere between sips, I found myself in easy conversation with the bartender and a couple of other ladies at the bar. We laughed and talked about relationships, the joys and complexities of being queer, womanhood, and all the wild, beautiful intersections in between. 

Suddenly, my solo bar visit had turned into a tipsy adventure and a really good time.

MuNi is located at 316 Delaware St., Kansas City, MO 64105.

Gram & Dun // Photo By Tiffany Watts

We’ve all heard the news: big changes are coming to the Country Club Plaza. Fingers crossed the powers that be keep Gram & Dun right where it is. Some places just belong.

Perched right at the corner of Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, this local favorite continues to deliver charm, flavor, and that confident cool that feels so distinctly Kansas City. It’s polished but not pretentious, and still manages to feel like a place you’re lucky to land on any time of the week.

Recently, friends and I grabbed a table inside. I was running late (classic), but when I walked in, I felt transported. Bathed in golden light, the wraparound terrace looked like something out of a high-end travel spread.

That mood was a vibe inside, too.

The lighting was soft, and the room had a low, happy hum. It was kind of sexy if I do say so myself.

As for the food laid out before us, the first thing that caught my eye was the Flying Dragon Roll ($21). Blue crab and cucumber rolled with unagi, avocado, and tempura shrimp, then finished with spicy mayo, tobiko, scallions, sesame seeds, and a bit of tempura crunch for texture. It was rich and balanced and so good that I found myself reaching for another piece before I’d even finished the first.

Next to it sat the Crunchy Shrimp Roll ($21), which easily held its own. Tempura shrimp, shrimp salad, and avocado formed the base, while sweet chili mango sauce and sesame mayo added a creamy, tangy kick. Red tempura bits brought the color, but the real showstopper was the crispy sweet potato hay on top. That crunch sealed the deal.

And then came the grilled broccolini ($9). Unexpected, yes, but absolutely worth a mention.

Lightly charred and full of depth, it came drizzled with saffron aioli, dusted with pecorino, sparked with Aleppo chili, and served alongside a grilled lemon that brought the whole thing to life. It was bright and smoky with just enough heat to keep things interesting. I wasn’t expecting it to steal my attention from the sushi, but here we are.

After we finished our last bites and sipped the final drop of our drinks, we made our way to a Candlelight Concert to end the night. If you haven’t been, it’s a live classical performance surrounded by hundreds of glowing candles. Very romantic and kind of magical. That night’s theme was R&B, and hearing those familiar songs played by a string quartet felt like the perfect follow-up to dinner.

Gram & Dun is located at 600 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64112.