Novel opens in the Crossroads, plus Forks & Corks, a Ça Va patio party, and more: KC’s food and drink events for April 16-22

Tuesday, April 17

Cheryl Bisbee of Boozy Botanicals and Michael Crane of Crane Brewing Company are coming together at Mike’s Wine and Spirits Brookside (21 West 63rd Street) to demonstrate how to combine their two products into unique beer cocktails. There are two tasting sessions, one at 6 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m. RSVPs are recommended; to do so, email andy@mikeskc.com or call 816-701-6546.

The new East Crossroads location of Novel (1927 McGee Street) officially opens today at 5 p.m. On the new menu: fresh pastas including veal and sweetbread veal bolognese, beef cheek and bone marrow ravioli, seasonal vegetables, and much more. We recently interviewed owners-chefs Ryan Brazeal and Jessica Armstrong about their future and the new location; check that out here. 

Thursday, April 19

Restless Spirits Distilling is teaming up with the kitchen at Pierpont’s (30 West Pershing Road) for a paired cocktail dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Restless Spirits founder and co-owner Benay Phillips will be on hand to provide tasting notes for the cocktails, and a four-course menu will be created and presented by chef Matt Barnes. One sample course: anise-braised pork cheek ravioli with cacao pasta and tarragon, paired with the “Erin Go Braugh:” Sons of Erin Irish whiskey, Amaro Averna, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Kubler Absinthe and Fee Brothers Chocolate Bitters. The dinner is $96 per person, which includes gratuity. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. 

The annual Forks & Corks benefit is tonight from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Arrowhead Stadium (1 Arrowhead Drive). Sixty restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and wineries are participating in event, including Hogshead, Krokstrom Klubb and Market, Lidia’s Kansas City, Tannin Wine Bar, Shatto Milk and Dairy, JJ’s, Fogo de Chao, and many more. 100 percent of the proceeds from Forks & Corks goes to Harvester’s Community Food Network. Online ticket sales are closed, but you can purchase tickets for $125 at the door. Learn more about the event and see all participating purveyors at Forks & Corks’ website. 

Friday, April 20

It could be fitting to spend your Earth Day with Kansas City Community Gardens (6917 Kensington Drive) and BikeWalkKC for Earth Day in the Garden, which begins at 5:30 p.m. BikeWalkKC first will be leading a garden bike tour, which goes through three gardens and an orchard. Then it’s unlimited complimentary beer from KC Bier Company, plus food for purchase from Organic Soul KC in KCCG’s Beanstalk Garden. Tickets are $10 and benefit KCCG’s programs. The event is free for monthly donors to KCCG and members of BikeWalkKC. 

Also in honor of Earth Day, BurgerFi in Leawood (11635 Ash Street) is offering $5 VegeFi burgers (made with quinoa) as well as $5 Beyond Burgers, which are supposed to have the look/feel/taste of meat (kind of like an Impossible Burger, if you are in to that sort of thing). All purchases come with a plantable coaster, from which you can grow some tomatoes. 

Chef René Bollier of Andre’s Confesserie Suisse (5018 Main Street) is creating a four-course dinner tonight to be paired with wines from TerraVox Winery. The evening includes a discussion of the wines led by TerraVox’s Winifred Wright as well as a tour of the chocolate factory downstairs at Andre’s. A roasted beet salad, scallops and short ribs (among other items) are on the menu. Call 816-561-3440 to make the required advance reservations. The meal and tours are $100 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity.  

Saturday, April 21

In the Power & Light District (12th and Baltimore Streets downtown), the Pig & Swig Festival will run from 3-6 p.m., rain or shine. Barbecue and bourbon tastings, a beer garden, lawn games, and more are features of the event. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased here. 

Sunday, April 22

Get out on the patio for some paella today courtesy of chef Howard Hanna at Ça Va (4149 Pennsylvania). Each $50 ticket includes dinner plus two glasses of wine or yard beers. Hanna’s paella will be created using only sustainable ingredients. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. More information and tickets can be found via Tock.