VegFest, the Strawberry Hill Croatian Festival, and lots of wine events: KC’s food and drink events for August 13-19

Monday, August 13

It’s wine versus beer at tonight’s specialty dinner at Louie’s Wine Dive (7100 Wornall Road). KC Bier Company beer will be pitted against Ernest and Julio Gallo wines during a four-course meal that begins at 6:30 p.m. Guests will sample the four courses, each of which is paired with one wine and one beer, and decide which pairing they think is best. The winner walks away with the glory of victory (we assume). The meal is $60 a person, not including tax or tip. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Up at Chicken N Pickle (1761 Burlington Road), get to the beer garden for the Modelo and Tostada fiesta, with tostadas made with local Yoli Tortilleria stone-ground tortillas. There is no admission fee for this event.

Wednesday, August 15

A four-course wine and bites event tonight at Lidia’s Kansas City (101 West 22nd Street) honors prominent female Italian winemakers. Rita Tua of Tua Rita, Nadia Zenato of Zenato, Raffaella Rossi of Villa Remotti and Valentina, Meri and Alessandra Tessari of Suavia will all be presenting their wines alongside dishes created by executive chef Dan Swinney. Among the bites are a fritto misto of fried calamari, shrimp and seasonal vegetables, a ricotta puff pastry stuffed with montasio cheese and fresh summer vegetables and a mini smoked salmon in a savory crostada with crispy capers, mascarpone and agrodolce red onions. The tasting is $35 a person (not including tax or gratuity), and includes six wine samples and snacks. Call 816-221-3722 to reserve a seat.

Enjoy a full paired dinner tonight at Corvino Supper Club and Tasting Room (1830 Walnut Street). The five-course dinner will feature wines from Argyle Winery, located in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. One to five wines will be paired with each course. The event is $111 per person including tax and gratuity. Learn more about the dinner and make reservations via Tock. 

Thursday, August 16

Tonight at Tavernonna (106 West 12th Street) sees the debut of a new happy hour series dubbed “Aperitivo and Aperitifs,” from 4 to 6 p.m. Cocktails and small bites will be created around a theme — this month, it is the island of Sicily — and those bites will be free with the purchase of a cocktail. Among this month’s featured cocktails are a blood orange spritz made with McElroy’s Corruption Gin, and a scroppino, made with chilled vodka, a scoop of lemon sorbet, Prosecco and a garnish of fresh chopped mint and lemon zest.

Saturday, August 18

At the City Market (20 East Fifth Street), Vegfest marks a full day celebrating plant-based diets. The day’s events include an early morning jog and yoga, food samples, a beer garden, presentations on the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle, and much more. See more information on the event’s Facebook page.  

Head to Strawberry Hill to take part in the annual Croatian Festival at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (708 North 4th Street). There will be polka, dancing, and lots of food available for purchase, including sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls), Croatian sausage, stew, povitica, apple strudel, hamburgers, hot dogs, soda, beer and more. Admission is free.  

Sunday, August 19

Spend the evening surrounded by wine and cheese while learning how they work together at the Better Cheddar (604 West 48th Street). Experts Matthew McDowell and Lincoln Broadbooks will be guiding the class, which includes several samples of wine and cheese, plus accompaniments. The class is $50 a person, and tickets and more information can be found via Eventbrite.  

From 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Amigoni Vineyards and Urban Winery
(1505 Genessee Street) is hosting Panache Chocolatier (Country Club Plaza) for a paired chocolate and wine tasting. Representatives from both Amigoni as well as Panache will guide guests through the small batch production process for each. Tickets are $50 a person and available via Eventbrite.  

And the Plaza’s Monarch Bar (home to a recent Drake sighting) is celebrating its one-year anniversary with DJ Ashton Martin, Dolce Bakery champagne cupcakes, and $10 featured cocktails. The party’s from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. (cupcakes and champagne at 6 p.m.) at 4808 Roanoke Parkway. Reservations are recommended.