KC Sipps: Festive foodie finds, two closures, and a moment for the olives
This week's Kansas City restaurant news.
Art by Cassondra Jones
Life in KC is pretty delicious. In fact, there is often so much going on that it can be hard to decide where to go and what to try.
That’s where I come in.
I’ve curated this weekly list of events, openings, deals, and celebrations to keep you in-the-know. Cheers!
Something New
Bar Medici: I need a moment to gush about a specific dish at Bar Medici. It’s so good that I’ve ordered it four times within one week—technically, two at a time on two separate visits. Here’s the gist: fried, cheese-filled olives.
Fried castelvetrano olives are gently filled with a touch of taleggio cheese and then coated in fresh herbs and Bar Medici’s fabulous focaccia crumbs. The result is a poppable, hot, salty, and firm but melty lil’ treat! On my second visit, my friends and I treated it like a late-night snack. We paired it with non-alcoholic beverages, focaccia (with the upgraded Calabrian chili butter, of course), and finished with one $3 cannoli each.
My only question is, why haven’t I seen this on more menus? Here’s hoping they’ll make it a permanent dish and we’ll have one bright (and briney) thing to look forward to in 2025.
Opening
Farm Fresh Market: Farm Fresh Market at Red Bridge celebrated its grand opening on December 18. This locally owned and operated grocery store carries meat, produce, name-brand food products, and store-brand items from Best Choice.
Closing
Enchante: Enchante, the moody and elegant bakery on Main Street in Midtown, is closing for the rest of the year. After revamping the space and menu, the bakery plans to reopen on January 2.
Lucky Seb’s Dumpling Bar and Grill: Another neighborhood spot is closing, but only temporarily. Lucky Seb’s in Lawrence is taking a short hiatus to address staffing and quality-control concerns. The plan is to reopen in early January.
Today’s Tip
Here’s a tip that shouldn’t even need to be published: don’t break into restaurants and steal shit. Okay, now for the rest of us, let’s continue to move with interactions rooted in patience and kindness–even generosity when you can. More local restaurants have been targeted by break-ins, most recently Sway Coffee Roasters, Teocali, and The Hungry Hatch. Cash seems to be the main goal, so be prepared to see these spots and others consider going cash-free.
December 21
Cordadito: Start off your weekend with a cafe Cubano and a little green… hanging with the Grinch! The foul one will be at the new cafe, Cortadito, in KCK at 8 a.m. for photos and sneers. No registration or tickets are required.
Ombra: Ombra, the small plates restaurant in Briarcliff Village, is closing. To help clear the shelves, they’re holding a bottle sale this Saturday and Sunday from 12 – 4 p.m. Bottles, cans, spirits, wine, everything will be sold at 50% off menu rates until it is all gone. Ombra’s sister restaurant and shop, Carne Diem, will remain open just a few doors down.
December 22
Garden House Cafe: From 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., pop-up baker Bread Friends will be on site with a selection of crackers, take-and-bake cinnamon rolls, and cardamom buns. Pick some up to impress your loved ones, and be sure to snag a bagel for yourself from the Garden House counter while you’re there! Garden House is a cozy and curious cafe in KCK, featuring well-curated goods from local makers, vintage purveyors, and more.
Taylor Elizabeth Cake Shop: Tickets are still available for Taylor Elizabeth Cake Shop’s vintage-inspired Christmas cake event! Starting at 3 p.m., guests will work alongside a professional to decorate their own two-tiered cake, and there will be photo ops, snacks, and drinks! Tickets are $75. The festive time would be a great finale to shopping at the Hallmark Christmas Experience at Crown Center–just a short streetcar ride from the Crossroads cakery.
Plan Ahead
Tacos Valentina: In Crossroads, Tacos Valentina invites you to a Christmas Eve brunch. From 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., enjoy breakfast tacos and beer, plus complimentary coffee from Take Care. And, find them popped up at Big Mood Natural Wines on January 1, ready to try and heal what ails ya, for their third-annual New Year’s Day hangover brunch from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. or sell out.
The Combine: The Combine–a great spot for pizza, sandwiches, or just hanging out with a cocktail–is hosting a Sleigh Rides and Slow Jamz party on December 24. Tickets start at $5 for the 21+ event. The R&B Christmas theme kicks off at 5 p.m.
