KC Sipps: Half-price cocktails, Operation Meatball, and more 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

Cocktail Week: The Pitch Craft Cocktail Week is here! We’ve partnered with area bars and restaurants for half-price featured cocktails through December 15. I’ve got my eye on the mocktail at In The Lowest Ferns–that place has a unique vibe no matter if you go earlier in the day when it’s light out and you can appreciate the plant life, or at night when it’s moody and sultry. 

The Local Pig: Operation Meatball is back for another year of giving back to The Prospect KC. For every two dozen meatballs sold, Local Pig in City Market will donate two dozen meatballs to a family in need through holiday meal kits distributed by The Prospect KC. The gluten-free Italian pork meatball pack retails for $26.99 (no price increase from last year!) and pickup is available through December 31.

The C Word: The C Word vegan bakery has opened pre-orders for holiday cookie and pastry boxes. Priced at $25 and $50, each box features an assortment of creatively-decorated baked goodies. I’m not vegan, but I’m always pleased with Sav’s artful goodies. The boxes must be picked up in Independence on December 21 or 24.

Today’s Tip

Make your reservations now for holiday dinners and outings! It’s so easy to feel like this month is slipping away and end up twiddling your thumbs trying to come up with something to do for New Year’s Eve. Book some plans now, even if it’s just an intimate dinner for two.

But even more important than making reservations is keeping them! Restaurants use reservations to help inform their staff scheduling, ingredient ordering, and more. If you must cancel reservations, do so as early as possible. It is selfish and wasteful to make multiple reservations for the same time just so you have options.

December 13

UnKCorked: UnKCorked in Overland Park is hosting a tasting event and open house from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The Holiday Pour and Explore event features local makers, live music, and tastings from R/Farm Distilling Co. of Mound City, MO.

December 14

KC Wine Co: From 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Olathe’s KC Wine Co, the whole fam can dine with Santa! $25 tickets include brunch and a festive photo-op. It all takes place in the decked out, holly jolly, sparkling new barn. If you’re feeling a little more green, The Grinch will be hosting a similar brunch there on December 21.

December 15

Crossroads Hotel: Earth Beat is putting on the Slow Solstice Holiday Market at Crossroads Hotel. From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., shop sustainable, handmade, and hand-selected goods from local vendors. I can’t guarantee their inventory, but I recommend checking out what Nutruting with Nature and Haven Wellness have to offer. At the last event I attended, Haven had some beautiful non-alcoholic wine available. 

Second Best Coffee: The Waldo coffee shop is hosting a Community, Crafts, & Correspondence event at 3 p.m. Standard tickets are $15 and include crafting and letter supplies, a beverage, snacks, and postage. Masks are required at this event. Pitch writer Jordan Baranowski just told me that he loves the Claus on the seasonal menu: eggnog and nitro cold brew.