KC Sipps: Two favorite restaurants close, holiday events, and Operation Meatball

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

Union on the Hill: Union on the Hill is celebrating one year of serving KC’s midtown by giving back to the neighborhood that has embraced them. Through December 28th, Union on the Hill is donating 10% of sales to Operation Breakthrough.

Local Pig: Operation Meatball is in action now. 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. This year’s goal is to deliver 1,000 meatball dinners. The meatball pack retails for $26.99 and pickup is available through December 24.

Featured Fave

Buck Tui BBQ: This week I had the opportunity to try the holiday catering menu at Overland Park’s Buck Tui. It was a familiar but jazzy mashup of flavors, like smoked turkey with a chili sauce, mashed potatoes with Isaan Thai sausage gravy, and tender wok-tossed garlic greens. There are a few slots left for pickup on December 23, and the meal packages start at $79.

Opening

Bar Medici: The newest spot from the creators of The Mercury Room, Verdigris, and The Monarch is Bar Medici. Reservations are available now for the Friday opening and beyond. The small and swanky bar draws on elegant Italian inspiration for its food, drink, and decor. I wholeheartedly recommend the Margherita cocktail ($15), which tastes like a marg and a mimosa had a baby and sent it to boarding school in Italy. The focaccia ($5) is an easy choice for a starter. It is light and flavorful, but be sure to try the spreadable Calabrian chili butter accompaniment.

Kura Sushi: Kura revolving sushi bar opens on the Plaza this Friday, December 22 at noon. This chain restaurant is known for its conveyor belt delivery system delivering sushi rolls, nigiri, sashimi, apps, and more. Customers pay by the plate, and sushi plates are $3.20. For an extra element of fun, for every 15 plates deposited into the slot at your table, you’ll receive a surprise from their limited-time Snoopy and Friends collaboration through January 31, 2024.

Closing

Tribe Street Kitchen: After six years of neighborhood vibes in River Market, Tribe is closing. The final day open is Friday, December 22. My husband and I will miss it–Tribe was always consistent and not too hard to get into, even on a weekend. I found myself trying something new at each visit.

Vested Coffee: In downtown KC’s Garment District, Vested Coffee is closing. The final day is Saturday, December 23. Vested’s Beacon Hill location will remain open. I’ll personally miss this spot, too. It was truly one of the friendliest coffee shops, and popping in for a coffee and muffin before coworking with a friend or heading to City Market was such a treat.

December 22

Diametric Brewing Co.: Diametric Brewing in Lee’s Summit is throwing a 25 Beers of Christmas party! The taproom and Burn Theory Fire Kitchen will open early at noon. The team will begin tapping beers at 2:30 p.m. and will rotate brews every 30 minutes. The beers include a seltzer, Homebrewer Pale Ale, Oatmeal Stout, and many more. No reservations or tickets are required.

Christmas Eve Dinners

The Town Company: The Town Company inside Hotel Kansas City is transforming into “House of Prime Rib” for Christmas Eve. Starting at $75 per person, this three-course menu from Executive Chef Johnny Leach features local ingredients and also offers a vegetarian option. Plus, the Yule Log dessert is almost too stunning to eat! Reservations are required.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar: Jax on the Plaza is leaning into an Italian-American tradition–Feast of the Seven Fishes, also known as Cena Della Vigilia. Naturally, seven fish ground the menu, with dessert and wine offering a sweet balance. The cost starts at $85 per person. Reservations are required.

Chaz Restaurant & Lounge: Chaz on the Plaza is hosting the Mengel Brothers Duo and their special “Mengel Bells” performance for diners on Christmas Eve. The four-course meal starts at $60 per person and features main courses of Brown Sugar & Mustard Roasted Salmon, Maple Bourbon Ham, and Coffee BBQ Rubbed Prime Rib. Reservations are required.

Plan Ahead

Servaes Brewing Company: Shawnee’s Servaes Brewing is hosting Relativity Cooking in the taproom 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for a pancake brunch on New Year’s Eve! Beer will start flowing at 11 a.m., including special releases like JOCO Loco Strawberry Maple Pancake, and Empty Canvas Blueberry Banana Pancake, a 6% cream ale with blueberry, banana, lactose, vanilla, and maple syrup.

Big Mood Natural Wines: Tacos Valentina is popping up at Big Mood in Crossroads for a hangover cure on New Year’s Day. From 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tacos Valentina will be serving up pozole, crunchwraps, and more alongside mimosas and spritzes. No tickets or reservations required, just stagger up.

KC Restaurant Week: From January 12-21, 200+ restaurants across Kansas City are offering special meals with a portion of the proceeds going to Kanbe’s Markets. You can explore the restaurant list and menus on the KC Restaurant Week website and app, and reservations (where possible) are recommended. So far I’ve made my reservations for lunch at Third Street Social and dinner at Novel. There are so many to choose from and with most prefix dinners set at $40, it’s a perfect time to try somewhere new. Here’s to trying more in 2024!