KC Sipps: Planning your weekend eats around three “new” spots, plus AAPI and Cinco de Mayo celebrations

Art by Cassondra Jones

Looking for delicious plans? Whether you want to impress a date, show your fam the best of KC, or just get out of the house, we’ve got you covered… all while supporting (mostly) local. 

Here is your weekly roundup of the best food and drink offerings around Kansas City. Cheers!

Something new

Vintage 78 Wine Bar: Overland Park’s Vintage 78 Wine Bar was just awarded the Star Wine List award for their exemplary wine selections. The global wine guide currently has only four Kansas spots on its list, and two in St. Louis, MO. 

Nighthawk: The basement bar at Hotel Kansas City has introduced a new weekly show. Nightingales, “a decadent evening of drag illusion,” is hosted by Daisy Buckët and features a variety of acts each week. The cover charge is $10 at the door, and the show kicks off each Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. No advance tickets or reservations are available. 

Special alert

Hereford House: If you ate at Hereford House in Leawood recently, between March 26 and April 23, and later became ill, please contact the Leawood Police Department at tips@leawood.org or (913) 266-0696. An employee has since been arrested for allegedly intentionally contaminating food.

Opening

Horsefeather Social: Loews Hotel rooftop bar, Horsefeather Social, is now open. Weather permitting, it will be open Wednesday through Sunday all summer from 5:30 – 11:00 p.m. Horsefeather Social has food and drinks, as well as daily features like Thursday Taco Night, Industry Sundays, live music on the weekends, and First Friday Cookouts. This Friday, expect Smoked Carnitas Tacos. Horsefeather and the other Loews bars are proud to feature a new low- and no-ABV cocktail menu known as their “Free Spirited” program.

Sweet Granada: An Emporia-based sweet shop has expanded to Kansas City! I’ve been a fan of Sweet Granada since I can remember–making a point to stop there each time we visit Emporia for disc golf tournaments. Sweet Granada officially opens in Red Bridge Shopping Center with a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. on May 3, and will be open daily after that. I like to try different hand-crafted chocolates each time, but the best seller is Pop-Choc: a decadent combination of Westwood’s Velvet Creme popcorn and Sweet Granada’s specialty chocolate.

Vignettes: The North KC theme bar is bringing back a crowd favorite–Taylor Swift! (As a theme, that is.) Starting May 3, The Tortured Pop-Up Department will draw inspiration from the latest album release but also include nods to the lengthy discography with menu items like Just Another Cocktail to Burn, Champagne Pomblems, and Beerdrops On My Guitar. Reservations are encouraged, and feel free to bring your Swifty kids for mocktails and snacks between Sunday and Thursday. Friday and Saturday are for ages 21+ only.

Closing

P.S. Coffee: South KCMO’s coffee shop and drive-through, P.S. Coffee, permanently closed on April 30. The website and Instagram account have been deleted.

May 4

Taste of AAPI: From 12 – 7 p.m., Taste of AAPI invites you to explore the flavors and customs of a variety of Asian American and Pacific Island peoples. This is a FREE, non-profit event featuring 15 food vendors, a variety of beverage options, and local AAPI vendors, artists, and makers. This event is held in West Bottoms, and while it is outdoors, it will be sheltered under the 670 bridge.

KC Bier Co.: From 3 – 8 p.m., KC Bier Co. is hosting a Neighborhood Bock Party to simply celebrate craft beer. Tickets start at $20 and include a souvenir tasting glass, unlimited samples from 6+ breweries, and a contribution to Imagine That!, a local non-profit. Dogs and lawn chairs are welcome.

May 5

Cinco de Mayo: Celebrations honoring Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire in battle can be found across the metro, and we’ll focus on the food and drink-centered ones!  Tacos Valentina is throwing a block party at Torn Label Brewing from 2 – 5 p.m., partnering with Mean Mule, Tacos Caramelo, and Aurora Bakery. In Westport and Overland Park, Taco Naco will offer specials all day plus a DJ for extra fun from 5 – 9 p.m. Guadalupe Centers are hosting a free, three-day educational fiesta for the whole family at their Westside hub.

Plan ahead

Meat Mitch: Chow down on some of KC’s top barbeque spots all in one place. On May 8, Meat Mitch in Leawood is hosting a Barbacoa Dinner in collaboration with Taco Naco and Barbacoa. Tickets are $144, covering six courses, drink pairings, and a reception.  

AANHPIdentity Festival: On May 11, the AANHPIdentity Festival returns, but this time to CPKC Stadium! Tickets are required but free for this event, featuring dozens of largely AANHPI-owned small businesses, food vendors, and a packed lineup of performers. The event runs from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and after attending last year, I will say to come hungry!