KC Sipps: Patio hangs at new Hank’s Garage & Grill, plus restaurant celebrations galore

KC Sipps logo by Theodore Rosen

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

News Bites: Anniversaries abound! Quite a few places are celebrating milestones this weekend. The festivities include special events, discounts, and freebies at Barbacoa, Cliff’s Taphouse, and Alma Mader Brewing.

Hank’s Garage and Grill: Over the weekend, I invited my brother for a mid-afternoon hang at the brand-new Hank’s Garage and Grill. The reimagined auto-garage is a smart addition to downtown Shawnee, offering a new option for catching a game on the many giant screens, catching some rays over beers on the patio, or catching a vibe at the buzzing bar. 

The newness of this spot showed, and even on a mid-afternoon we had to wait about 25 minutes for a table. Thankfully, Hank’s was adequately staffed and said staff made a big impact on the welcoming and well-oiled atmosphere.

Our favorites from this meal were the margarita (!!), tempura veggies, french fries (and we requested the banana ketchup that was designed for the Spam fries), the namesake burger, and the fried cherry hand pie.

Opening

Thai Orchid: After feeding Mission for 26 years, owners Jonathan Rojjanasrirat and Aom Stonnisgul have opened a second Thai Orchid location in North Kansas City. The restaurant is officially open in Metro North Crossing, but still awaiting a liquor license for full bar service. Compared to the original location, the new one is considerably larger and has some exclusive menu offerings.

Tom’s Town Distilling Co.: This Friday at 7 p.m., Tom’s Town in Crossroads debuts a new theme for the basement bar. The opening celebration will feature a DJ, new cocktails and shooters, local beer, darts, and other games.

Faculty Tables: At the Brookside location that formerly housed Flying Horse Taproom, Faculty Tables (& Patio) officially opened its doors on Tuesday. The new restaurant has a succinct menu that still seems to offer a little something for everyone, from liver pate to cheese curds, and salads to steak frites, plus a full bar.  The hours are 11 a. m. – 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and as of now it is walk-in only.

Closing

Cosmo Burger: Don’t be too alarmed that this is in the closing section. The Lenexa Public Market location of Cosmo Burger is closing on April 19. This is part of a long-term plan to expand service at the Waldo location at Dodson’s and to open a new standalone location in Crossroads. Diners can expect new lunchtime pop-ups at Dodon’s starting April 20, and the Crossroads location opening has not yet been announced.

Plan ahead

Brew Lab Brewery & Kitchen: On April 17 from 6 – 9 p.m., Brew Lab in Overland Park is partnering with Una Vida Tequila for an educational and hands-on pairing class. Designed for all levels (21+, of course), the class will introduce new combinations and concepts. Each $40 ticket also includes food from Brew Lab.

Brunched: We’re just about a week away from our annual Brunched event! The boozy brekkie party is held at the gorgeous Crossroads venue, The Guild again on April 19. Join The Pitch team for unlimited sampling of local faves like Fern Bar, Jazz on 39th, Kate Smith Soirée, Roots Bloody Mary Spice, and many more–I just named my faves. Our new Crown Royal Lounge experience has sold out, and there are only about 35 VIP tickets remaining. Plenty of GA tickets are available as of now, but this event has sold out the last few years, FYI! Say hi if you see me there!

Grand Coffee Company: Keep the brunchy weekend activities going with a special event on April 26. Grand Coffee Co is popping up at Culture Collective Event Space in North KC for a wellness-themed event. At 9:30 a.m., the fun kicks off with a leisurely 5K, followed by the “Chill and Charge” event. To pair with your coffee, recharge with a cold plunge, massage, music from DJ Lovey Dovey, and check out a variety of wellness-centered vendors. Tickets are discounted at $14.99 right now.