Q39 in Overland Park and Mission Taco Joint open, funds being raised for Coach’s Bar & Grill workers, Krokstrom throws a crayfish party and more of this week’s food events

Monday, August 14

The long-awaited second location of the exceedingly busy Q39 opens today at 11 a.m. at 11051 Antioch, in Overland Park. The menu is the same, but the new room feels far more open and spacious, at 7,000-plus square feet (and seating for 200). There’s a large, concrete-topped bar and an expansive patio. The new location resembles the original (the interiors were designed by the same firm, Realm Architecture + Design), featuring lots of natural wood, brick, polished concrete and incandescent bulbs hanging over the bar. 

Also opening for business today: Mission Taco Joint in the Crossroads (1801 Oak). This is the chain’s first outpost outside St. Louis. Mission Taco joint serves up “Cali-Mex”-inspired tacos, burritos and tortas. Mission Taco Joint also recently welcomed mixologist Jenn Tosatto to its Kansas City team, a bonus for anyone who seeks great cocktails. 

If you’d rather save new restaurants for another night, J. Gilbert’s (8901 Metcalf, Overland Park) is hosting a beer dinner tonight featuring suds from Torn Label Brewing Company. The four-course meal: tomato salad (served with Alpha Pale Ale); followed by a dish of fried lake perch with corn fritters and creamy cabbage slaw (Monk and Honey Ale); Andouille hash with fried egg, red onions and serrano (House Brew); and strawberry shortcake with fresh cream and strawberry compote (Stopgap Saison). The meal is $50, excluding tax or gratuity; call 913-642-8070 for reservations. 

Wednesday, August 16

One of my favorites, Krokstrom Klubb and Market (3601 Broadway), is hosting a traditional Kräftskiva (crayfish party) tonight at 5. The family-style meal will include whole crayfish chilled in a dill-and-stout broth, fresh bread served with butter, vasterbotten (cheese and mushroom) pie, traditional sides and salads, purple viking potatoes, and sweet corn. The produce from the evening’s meal comes from Quite Contrary Farmstead. The dinner is $75 a person, and does not include tax or tip. Make your reservations at Krokstrom’s website. 

Thursday, August 17

If you’ve followed local news this year, you know that the owners and employees of Coach’s Bar & Grill (414 West 103rd Street) have suffered tremendously during the past six months. Owner Mike Darby was killed in a still-unresolved crime on the Indian Creek trail in May, and at the end of July the restaurant was completely flooded following a storm. The restaurant is permanently closing at this location as a result, and the staff has been told to seek new employment because the site’s owners have decided not to rebuild. One way that you can help is to eat at one of approximately 70 restaurants tonight that are participating in “Come to the Table for Coach’s.” Ten percent of the proceeds from all of these restaurants, which include Waldo Pizza, the Jacobson, La Bodega, JJ’s, the Capital Grille and many more, will go directly to assist Coach’s displaced employees. For a full list of participating restaurants, see this link from KC Originals, which has put together the benefit. 

Friday, August 18

It’s a Friday night in August — peak season for tequila, limes and salt. Enter The Pitch‘s annual Margarita Wars event: part competition, part exhibition, all refreshment. Details and tickets (including the Don Julio Experience package) here. 

Wine lovers can try something unique tonight at Amigoni Vineyards and Urban Winery (1505 Genessee Street) with a course in blending wines. Attendees will begin to learn how to distinguish varietals by scent and flavor, and will be making blends with classic Bordeaux wines. Attendees will be separated into groups for the course; the three groups with the best blends will take home a bottle of their invention. Tickets are $60 and include wine and appeitzers. Tickets are available here via eventbrite. 

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And a quick heads up for cocktail lovers: the Monarch (4808 Roanoke Parkway) opens next Monday, August 21. The Pitch‘s profile of this new luxury drinking establishment is out on newsstands in the current issue, and will appear online this week as well.