Dish & Drink KC: People food at Bar K and luxe vibes at Bisou

BarK // Photo By Tiffany Watts

There are restaurants where you can bring your dog. And then there’s Bar K, where your dog brings you.

Recently, I spent an afternoon there with my daughter, a friend, and my friend’s four-legged extrovert, who promptly trotted off to socialize while we claimed a spot near the live music, drinks in hand and food on the way. Bar K has managed to pull off what most places only pretend to do: it’s equal parts restaurant, dog park, event venue, and bar—and somehow, it excels at all of it.

Let’s start with the food. We all ordered the Hand Breaded Chicken Tenders ($15), mostly with low expectations and a backup plan to grab something else if they disappointed. Spoiler: they didn’t.

These weren’t the frozen-afterthought kind you dip into regret. They were hot, hefty, and crispy, the kind that you think you’ll share and then quietly… don’t. I skipped the house ranch in favor of hot honey and a side of hot sauce, a sweet-spicy duo that took the tenders from an 8 to 11.

On the side: Bar K’s signature fries, golden and salty and exactly what you want while sipping something cold from their extensive drink list. From local beers to craft cocktails, the menu is well-rounded, like everything else about this place.

But of course, it’s not just about us.

Our canine dining companion got the full VIP (Very Important Pup) treatment. We ordered her the Chipper Chicken ($5), a bowl of real chicken, brown rice, peas, carrots, and flaxseeds that she demolished in record time.

The magic of Bar K is that it truly works. It’s not gimmicky. It’s not a dog park that happens to serve drinks, or a restaurant with a patio that allows dogs. It’s a place where your dog can roam off-leash in professionally supervised play areas while you enjoy a solid meal and a cocktail with friends. It’s community-forward, design-savvy, and dog-lover tested. You don’t even need to have a dog to enjoy it, but you may find yourself wishing you did.

Pro tip: The humans-only deck is the perfect spot if you’re dog-free but still want the energy of the place without the snout-in-your-burger risk.

Bar K  is located at 501 Berkeley Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64120.

Bisou // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Neighborhood coffee shops add a level of vibrancy to pockets of Kansas City. Whether they’re filled with art, antique furniture, or something a little more unique, there’s a strong appetite for cafés that do more than just serve coffee and food. They’ve got to serve vibes, too.

Tucked into the ever-charming Westside neighborhood, Bisou is less of a coffee shop and more of a whispered love letter to European elegance written in velvet, marble, and a whole lot of aesthetic allure.

As someone who writes about food and drinks for a living, I often find myself chasing flavor. But this time, I was chasing beauty.

I’d heard the buzz. Everyone on my Instagram timeline had something to say about Bisou: the ambiance, the vibe, the fashion-forward decor. So, on a sunny afternoon, I gave in to curiosity and walked into what felt like a boutique café straight out of Paris or Milan. And let me tell you, it’s every bit as dreamy as they say.

From the moment you step inside, Bisou wraps you in a blanket of soft luxury. Think vintage mirrors, ornate gold details, plush seating, and lighting that flatters both your latte and your selfie. It’s playful and sexy, but never over-the-top. It feels like a place where people should dress up just because the room calls for it.

Though my visit was mostly fueled by aesthetic intrigue (yes, I shamelessly went for the vibes), I did order something: their mint tea ($4), which arrived in a glass mug and was refreshingly aromatic. I’m doing my best to steer clear of coffee and sticking to sugar-free options these days, so I passed on their pastries, which, unfortunately for me, didn’t include any sugar-free alternatives.

Bisou’s menu offers everything from buttery pastries to classic cortados and seasonal lattes. There’s even a sexy affogato that looks rich and indulgent, perfectly matching the café’s elegant yet playful aura.

Savory options are available as well, varying daily to surprise you with something new and delicious, making it just as perfect for a brunch moment as it is for your morning pick-me-up.

One of the unexpected joys of Bisou is its curated selection of books for sale. Nestled among the lattes and lemon bars are thought-provoking titles ranging from design and fashion to poetry and art. It’s the kind of place where you can sip slowly and think deeply, or at least pretend to, in a really cute setting.

If you’re looking for a place to work remotely with reliable WiFi, this can be your spot for that, too. They’ve got everything you need to power through a few hours of focused work. Of course, if you’re simply in the mood to kick back, relax, and pretend you’ve been whisked away to some chic European café, Bisou is here for all of that.

Bisou  is located at 2122 Jefferson St., Suite A, Kansas City, MO 64108.