KC Sipps: Two new standout menus, Kitty’s Cafe reopens, and 100 free meals

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

Yoli Tortilleria: Yoli Tortilleria’s products have now expanded to be sold in 31 Whole Foods stores. Now, Yoli’s locally-made masa products can be purchased at Whole Foods in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, New Mexico, Montana, Texas, Utah, Illinois, and Wyoming. The small shop in the Westside neighbrohood is still open, and Yoli also ships direct. 

Fern Bar: On Southwest Boulevard, Fern Bar has released a new menu of craft cocktails and food. I stopped by on Tuesday and enjoyed a fabulous dinner. The Golden Ticket ($14) is a surprising but pleasing cocktail that paired well with the fresh guac ($9), dressed eggs (seriously, a must-try at $9), and bulgogi chicken tacos ($10). The cocktail menu is music-inspired, and the rollout includes gorgeous new handheld menus to browse and entertain, a few new decor elements inside, and new video releases each week on their Instagram. 

Providence Pizza: To celebrate National Pizza Month, two local pizza joints (or perhaps, mini-chains) are partnering up. The Providence x Buffalo State pizza is available at all four locations of the two restaurants and features alfredo sauce, calabrese peppers, preserved lemons, mozzarella, fresh burrata cheese, pistachio pesto, and thinly sliced mortadella. As of writing this, the pizza is not available for online ordering at Buffalo State Pizza, so I suggest calling in or going in-person, but it is available online at Providence Pizza.

Common Tiger: The Primrose and Common Tiger, under the same ownership, are leveling up the cocktail game on Johnson Drive. On Friday, I visited both to try the new spooky menu. The Primrose is subdued and great for catching up with friends or family over a quality cocktail. Next door, Common Tiger can only be accessed via password at a faux bodega. (P.S. I linked it there for you.) My friends and I enjoyed the flavorful bloody mary shots ($4), and the Davie Jones ($14)–a squid ink martini–was another savory favorite that is available at both bars. For something sweeter, I recommend the 2319 ($14) or Hopscotch Butter Beer ($15), each with its own nod to a family-favorite film.

Opening

Kitty’s Cafe: On Thursday, October 10, Kitty’s Cafe reopens! After a long remodeling process, the interior has a bright and fresh tiled look. The midtown spot is known for tenderloin sandwiches but also offers burgers and breakfast sandwiches. With the highest price item being a catfish tenderloin at $9.80, it’s a good spot to keep in mind for a cheaper lunch. (Fries or tots are another $4.) Hot tips: the restaurant is cash-only and has limited seating, so plan on taking it to-go.

October 10

Panther’s Place: Enjoy the nice weather and have a night out at the vibey Panther’s Place in Westside. From 6 – 10 p.m., TC’s Fully Loaded will be serving their fan-favorite loaded baked potatoes alongside Panther’s Place drinks. Reservations are available, but you can also chance it with a walk-in.

October 11

District Biskuits: To continue the KC Black Feast Week festivities, Kansas City Defender is popping up at District Biskuits. The North KC brunch (and now dinner) spot is giving away 100 meals to those who donate a non-perishable food item that will go to local food banks. The event starts at 6 p.m.

J. Rieger & Co.: The iconic KC distillery kicks off a weekend-long celebration of ten years! I know, it feels like much longer than ten years (in a good way). In addition to exclusive anniversary cocktail specials in each bar space, there will be live music on Friday and Saturday and a vendor market on Saturday. On a recent visit to Hey! Hey! Club in J. Rieger & Co.’s basement, I tried the entire mocktail menu. I thoroughly enjoyed each drink and was impressed by the craft that went into each drink to create a more inclusive experience at a distillery.

October 13

Gaels Public House: Congrats on three years, Gaels! Celebrate with $10 bottles of bubbly, two seatings of a special edition drag brunch, and performer Talya Groves at 4 p.m. If you’re not sure what to order, I am a big fan of the shepherd’s pie at Gaels.

Tom’s Town: In Crossroads, Tom’s Town Distillery is hosting a Wags and Whiskey “Barking Lot Pawrty” from 1 – 4 p.m. This dog-friendly event helps to raise money for KC Pet Project and Stray Rescue of Saint Louis through cocktail sales, snacks for humans and dogs, and a photo booth. No tickets or reservations are required.

Plan Ahead

Rye: Well-known for a stellar dessert menu, Rye’s Leawood location is hosting a Spooky Boozy Cookie Class on October 26. The fee is $75, which includes a fall cocktail or n/a beverage, snacks, and a dozen sugar cookies to decorate with guidance from Pastry Chef Keara Masson.