KC Sipps: Taco En Boca celebration dinner, a Park Place foodie festival, and 70 years of André’s
This week's Kansas City restaurant news.
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: At Beer Kitchen, the BK Smash was so popular during The Pitch Burger Week that the Westport restaurant decided to add it to the weekly menu! The smashburger is now available each Wednesday, featuring caramelized onions, bacon, cheese, and lettuce.
Opening
Palm Tree Club: Power & Light’s newest resident, replacing the Drunken Fish spot that has been vacant for the last few years, is Palm Tree Club. Rather than being a club club, this is a restaurant and bar that happens to have a DJ, and “vibe dining” is the goal.
Local chef Jeff Shirley created a menu that combines his favorite cuisines, specifically Asian and Italian. Fresh pastas are made in-house each day. Thin strips of A5 Wagyu rest atop shrimp rolls. There’s pizza, fish, steak frites, etc. My favorites were, indeed, that fancy steak and shrimp sushi, octopus yakitori, and Dubai chocolate tiramisu. It opens September 12 and reservations are encouraged.
Closing
Crane Brewing: Crane Brewing has closed. The Raytown brewery and taproom’s status is “temporarily closed” on its Google business listing, and the Star reports that it has unceremoniously closed.
September 12
Fiesta Hispania: Outside the American Royal in West Bottoms, Fiesta Hispania returns for a weekend full of food, performances, and vendors celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture. Performers will take the stage nearly nonstop on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and dozens of food options will be available on-site. This is a free and all-ages festival.
September 13
A Taste of Leawood: The Leawood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a foodie festival from 6 – 9 p.m. at Park Place. $100 tickets include unlimited food sampling, three drinks, live music, and photo ops. VIP tickets are also available. 28 eateries are participating, and some of my picks from the bunch include Whole Harvest Kitchen, Atomic Cowboy, Rye, and Tortilla Ranch.
September 15
Taco Naco: To celebrate Mexican Independence Day, Taco Naco is throwing a chef’s dinner and you’re invited. Taco En Boca will be a one-night collaboration between local chefs and drink experts, and tickets are $150. The five-course dinner with wine and cocktail pairings is created by Fernanda Reyes of Taco Naco, Pablo Muñoz of Tacos Valentina and Anjin, Marissa Gencarelli of James Beard Award-winning Yoli Tortilleria, Javier Nuñez of Aurora Cafe and Bakery, and Manuel Gomez of the pop-up and soon-to-be Crossroads bar, Jade Jaguar. Expect a diversity of flavors as special as this group of pros themselves!
Plan Ahead
André’s: Wow, 70 years is a massive milestone. Congrats André’s! As a celebration of enduring community and sweet fun, they are hosting a fall fondue series on Wednesday evenings in October. Reservations are available now and are expected to sell out. This four-course dinner experience is $70 and requires a $50 deposit.
