Father’s Day, Boulevardia, weeknight drinking excuses and more: your food and drink events, June 12-18

Tuesday, June 13

The Rockhill Grille (2000 Grand) is hosting a wine dinner tonight from 6:30 to 9, featuring Napa Valley’s Cakebread Cellars. The four-course dinner, presented by Cakebread brand ambassador Keith Paden, will be cooked by chefs Sam Hefter and Molly Flynn. The dinner is $95 a person, exclusive of tax or gratuity. Make reservations by calling 816-389-5800 or via email to nschmidt@therockhillgrille.com.

Wednesday, June 14

It’s world cucumber day (because why not), and you can celebrate the humble vegetable with a happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bluestem (900 Westport Road). Bartender Andrew Olson is making cocktails featuring cucumber and Hendrick’s gin, and cucumber salads will be on special.

Rye bar manager Van Zarr will be making a guest appearance tonight at Westport Café (419 Westport Road) for an all-night happy hour, beginning at 6 p.m. Zarr’s signature specialty cocktails from Rye will go for $10; they include a maple-bacon Old Fashioned, a barrel-aged Old Square, a eucalyptus Bee’s Knees, a kaffir-lime Capirinha, and a clarified-milk punch. 

Thursday, June 15

Ahead of Boulevardia, which begins tomorrow, Hopcat (401 Westport Road) is hosting a Boulevardia-themed tap takeover beginning at 6 p.m., featuring many of the breweries that are to be featured at Taps & Tastes, including Firestone Walker, Piney RIver Brewing Company, Perennial, Cascade Brewing and more. Representatives from those breweries will be on hand, and the night’s party includes giveaways, swag, samples and more. 

Friday, June 16

Boulevardia takes over the West Bottoms this weekend with several updates and changes from years past, not least of which is its different location in the “stockyards” area of the Bottoms. Keep your eyes posted here tomorrow for our special rundown of can’t-miss things to do, eat and drink, as well as bands to see. 

Sunday, June 18

A few Father’s Day options: 

Ça Va (4149 Pennsylvania) hosts Lawrence favorite Leeway Frank’s for a Father’s Day event that marries the specialty of each: Ça Va of course is supplying the bubbles, and Leeway Frank’s is creating a custom menu for the event, with appetizers by Howard Hanna. Sample the Rabbit Dog, featuring rabbit and pork sausage, Green Dirt Farm’s Praire Tomme with ijon sauce, spicy greens and pickle salada on a hoagie bun. There’s also Leeway’s take on a chili dog: a house-made beef frankfurter topped with Texas red chili and diced onions, served in a poppy-seed bun slathered with yellow mustard. The dinner, which includes three glasses of wine, appetizers and the meal, is $50 a person. Email caitlin@cavakc.com for reservations. 

Chicken n’ Pickle (1761 Burlington Road) is also hoping to tempt dads today from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with guest food truck appearances from Bochi and the Waffler, in addition to a Smirnoff Vodka/Coffee Cake KC collaboration.

Brazilian steakhouse Porto del Sul (11900 Metcalf, Overland Park) is offering  $10 off for diners who come in before 2 p.m. today, plus dads will all receive a $25 gift card for a future visit. This is a place for dads with an appetite: Porto del Sul offers 17 cuts of meat (sliced for you tableside) in addition to a big harvest-table buffet. Reservations are recommended; call 913-283-9180.

Jowler Creek Winery (16905 Jowler Creek Road, Platte City) is celebrating Father’s Day with brats and beer from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., either in the wine garden or the barrel room, depending on the day’s weather. Supplies are limited, so we’d suggest heading up there earlier rather than later.