KC Sipps: Your curated list of what and where to eat this weekend

Art by Cassondra Jones

Life in KC is decisively delicious. In fact, there is often so much going on that it can be difficult to decide where to go and what to try.

That’s where I come in. By day, I am the Food & Drink Editor of The Pitch, and by night, the good food and fun overflow to my social media. 

I’ve curated this weekly list of events, openings, deals, and celebrations to keep you in-the-know. Whether you want to avoid the chain spots on your lunch break or be the first of your friends to try the newest restaurant, this is for you. Cheers!

Something New

Salad Week: It’s here! Our first-ever half-price Salad Week has arrived, and the deals only stay fresh through October 27. We’ve partnered with restaurants around the metro to lighten your lunch and your bill.

The salad at Aqua Penny’s may be the most statuesque, but the Black Bear Diner one looks heartiest. And if your ideal salad is light on the greens and heavy on the dairy, you’ve gotta check out the half-price dish at the picturesque Rozzelle Court Restaurant at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Once you check the business hours of the place you’re interested in, just go enjoy the deal! We don’t require any codewords or passes to show.

Varsity Club: This past Sunday I visited Varsity Club (and Disco Burger, the partner restaurant) in River Market. They just added a joint brunch menu to be served from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sundays. To be honest, I did not order a traditional brunch menu item—or blunch, as they call it. 

There is one breakfast sammie on the Disco Burger menu and an accompanying hashbrown side, but I just can’t resist the classic burger here. To make it more fitting for 11 a.m., I ordered an Americano. This Americano is different than you may be picturing. It is made with black tea, cardamom, and aperitif. It offered the same airy and barely bitter pleasure of my Varsity Club go-to: the Spaghett. 

The whole place had a relaxed and welcoming feel, as usual, but was made lively that morning by plenty of Liverpool fans watching an English Premier League game.

Alma Mader Brewing: Congratulations to Alma Mader Brewing! Alma Mader was awarded a Silver Medal at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival Competition. Their brew, Pacific Portal, was awarded second place out of 300 similar beers in the West Coast IPA beer-style category. 

Insider Tip

Keep your reservations or cancel as far in advance as possible. Managers rely on these and staff their places accordingly. Your no-call/no-show could mean a server or bartender’s hours (and thus paycheck) are unexpectedly cut.

Opening

Songbird: After Corvino announced a pivot away from their tasting room this summer, I was a little bummed by the loss of a chef-driven, adventurous dinner option. The space has since been replaced with a 25-person cocktail bar that does walk-ins only. Songbird is now open at 5 p.m. on Thursdays through Sundays, and touts a casual and cozy atmosphere. The menu consists of 12 cocktails, four low- or no-ABV options, and a small snack menu. I have not yet visited, but the raclette and gruyere grilled cheese is calling my name.  

Blanc Champagne Bar: Taking over the former Canary space, Blanc is now open on Main Street in KCMO, right on the future streetcar line. The bar serves champagne, of course, plus additional wines, cocktails, and small plates. Reservations are encouraged, especially in the early days of opening. I attended a preview this weekend and appreciated the lovely details tucked throughout the space, and Tiffany Watts did a full write-up.

Closing

Mesob: Mesob’s north location will close on October 26. The Ethiopian and Caribbean restaurant off I-29 in North KC will close due to slow business, but the midtown location will remain open. 

October 24

Hotel Kansas City: Fresh off of the plane from a visit to Thailand, Chef Arpin Chaipeth is back with another Thai Takeover night at The Classic inside Hotel Kansas City. Some of the features include tom kha gai soup (one of my favorite dishes ever), grilled squid, chicken satay toast, and more, starting at $14. This monthly dinner event goes from 4 – 9 p.m. Head on down to Nighthawk afterward!

October 25

Tacos Valentina: A guest bartender will feature four special low-ABV cocktails at Tacos Valentina. From 5 – 10 p.m., Evan McConell will be behind the bar, serving agua frescas to pair perfectly with tacos. The Calabaza Sangrita with pumpkin(?!) sounds incredible.

October 26

Third Place Lounge: Third Place Lounge on Broadway is joining forces with ADHDIY Craft Cafe for a Saturday Crafternoon! Pop into Third Place Lounge–known for a balanced menu of cocktails and mocktails–between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for a nostalgic and cozy time. Choose from a selection of crafting kits for purchase, munch on goodies from the cereal bar, and entertain your inner child with throwback cartoons. No reservations are needed for this, but factor in some extra time for cute photos with the mural entrance and the swing.

Farewell: Plant-based paradise. That’s what Farewell will become from 1 – 5 p.m. Vegan comfort food experts Cauldron Collective and Spicy Moon Foods will both pop up at the Witches Market. The event features free pumpkin carving, a costume swap, a caricature artist, vendors, and more. Masks are required, but tickets are not.

Plan Ahead

Tannin: Tannin in Crossroads is partnering with a local author for a bookish wine dinner. Adib Khorram will be there on October 29 for the I’ll Have What He’s Having Book & Wine Dinner. Since the book is set in a wine bar, the dinner aptly features five courses inspired by dishes from the novel, complete with wine pairings. Tickets are $125.