KC Sipps: Three restaurant openings, plus TTPD & 4/20 events

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

TTPD: Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poet’s Department releases on April 19, and area businesses are celebrating with themed events of their own. On Friday, Waldo’s Hemma Hemma features Swifty-themed drinks and activities, requiring no tickets or RSVP. Dolce Bakery in Prairie Village is featuring a wide range of Taylor Swift cookies, cakes, and more through April 20. Zona Rosa is hosting a Poetic Wine Walk from 5 – 8 p.m. In West Bottoms, Fetch is hosting an all-out TTPD listening party and vendor market culminating in a T Swift drag show from Lana Luxx at 4 p.m.

The Big Biscuit: The Big Biscuit’s 27 Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma stores are running a Teacher Appreciation Campaign to honor 40 educators. Nominators must complete an application by April 28 and describe in 60 words or less why their teacher deserves recognition. These forms are being accepted through Sunday, April 28, and 40 favorite teachers will receive a $100 Big Biscuit gift card by May 6. 

Opening

Aqua Penny’s: Aqua Penny’s, a sister restaurant to Bamboo Penny’s, opened this Tuesday in Leawood’s Park Place. The new spot is a coastal seafood and oyster bar, also offering caviar, steaks, duck, and desserts. Oysters are collected specifically from Crowes Pasture Beach in East Dennis, Massachusetts. It is open every day, with happy hour specials between 3 – 6 p.m. during the work week.

J. Rieger & Co. Distillery: Starting April 17, the outdoor space named Electric Park Garden Bar at J. Rieger & Co. is open for spring and summer fun. An outdoor bar and food truck play on the amusement park history of the area. All ages are welcome–in fact, the food truck has a kid’s menu. For adults, I happily recommend the Frozen Caffe Colada. The outdoor area is open Wednesday through Sunday and features live music each Wednesday.

Percheron: Perhaps the swanky rooftop patio I look forward to the most each spring, Percheron, opens for the season on April 19. It is accessed from an elevator in the lobby of Crossroads Hotel. The patio space is first come, first served and open every night of the week. 

Closing

Kitty’s Cafe: In Midtown, Kitty’s Cafe will close on April 22 for remodeling for an undetermined amount of time. Stop by this weekend for their popular tenderloin sandwiches while you can.

April 20

4/20: An intersection of food, drink, local business, and cannabis? That’s where I’ll be. Here are a few spots around town celebrating in style. Café Cà Phê will be popped-up at Tintoretta Tattoo studio in KC’s Westside from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Iron Grill at North KC’s Iron District is featuring a meaty, breakfasty Wake ‘n Bake Burger this Friday through Sunday for $13. Boulevard Tours & Rec(reational) Center is hosting a Dank7 and Munchies Happy Hour from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. In the Lowest Ferns, a lounge in West Bottoms, is hosting advocates from The Last Prisoner Project for drinks and music to highlight Cannabis Justice Day.

Plan ahead

The Savoy: On April 25, 21c and The Savoy will host “The Future Is Female Dinner”. This four-course dining experience is inspired by 21c’s newest exhibition, The Future Is Female, opening the same evening, and highlights dishes by leading female chefs across 21c’s restaurants. The exhibit happens to include one of my favorite photographers–Springfield’s Julie Blackmon. Tickets are $100 and include drink pairings with each course. 

Power and Light District: On April 27, enjoy live music on 14th Street plus brunch cocktails and small plates at ten participating venues. These include Bristol Seafood Grill, BRGR, Johnny’s Tavern, and more. Tickets start at $40 and include all sample food and drinks, as well as an additional pour of your favorite featured cocktail. 

Lazia: Produce redistrubution non-profit, Kanbe’s Market, is partnering with Lazia inside Crossroads Hotel. The next Ugly Dinner in the fundraising series will be held at Lazia on April 30, where Chefs Michael Martinez & Hansel Dacanay will transform redirected produce into a one-of-a-kind dinner experience. Tickets start at $150.

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