Your guide to Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day food and drink events in Kansas City this week

This week packs a one-two Tuesday-Wednesday punch: holidays that have nothing in common with each other besides the fact that rich and plentiful food and drink play heavily into their celebrations. (These are our favorite kinds of holidays). For each, we’ve rounded up a handful of some of the most tempting places, events, and specialty offerings. So, get your mid-week indulge on, just tip well and stick to taxis. 

Fat Tuesday: Tuesday, February 13

For the most official party in town, head to 18th and Vine. The Northeast KC Chamber of Commerce is throwing a block party beginning at 5:30 p.m., complete with Cajun food, costume contests, live music and more. Entrance to the event is $20; for more information and tickets visit the event’s website.

If it’s just some good Louisiana-style food and drink you’re after, the Brick (1727 McGee) is serving up Fat Tuesday po’ boys, crawfish, beignets, gumbo and much more. Beignet (307 Main Street) at City Market is also a great go-to for New Orleans, Cajun and Creole cuisine — and if you get there early enough tomorrow, you may be able to snag one of the eatery’s few remaining King Cakes. BB’s Lawnside BBQ (1205 East 85th Street) is also serving a specialty menu that includes gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice and more, and will have live music and beads to offer any customer purchasing one of the Louisiana-style items. Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar (4814 Roanoke Parkway) is hosting a party that will feature oyster and crawfish specials, plus hurricanes and Sazeracs. Finally, if you’re out in Lawrence, head to Terrebonne (805 Vermont Street) for Mardi Gras specials, in addition to their regular menu of po’ boys, hush puppies and other favorites.

Valentine’s Day: Wednesday, February 14

Most people seem to hate Valentine’s Day, yet it persists (there are worse things than nice dinners out, at least). If in Lawrence, try Bon Bon (804 Pennsylvania Street). They are offering a $30 prix fixe that includes options like coconut shrimp croquettes, braised beef potato-beet pancakes and a salted chocolate torte. Beer and wine pairings are available for $10 and $12 extra, respectively. Walk in or visit their website to make reservations. 

It’s hard to beat Ça Va (4149 Pennsylvania Avenue) for a celebration, and it still has a few spots available for its three-course specialty dinner, which includes butter-poached lobster with leeks and roasted lamb with celery root puree. Visit its Tock page to make reservations for $75 a person (not including drinks, tax or gratuity). 

For drinks and specialty chocolates, Manifesto (1924 Main Street) is taking reservations for a special offering: $30 (not including tax or gratuity) gets you a glass of champagne and one of Manifesto’s cocktails, plus a serving of J Rieger and Co.-inspired chocolates made by Andre’s Confesserie Suisse. Make your reservations here. 

Stock Hill (4800 Main Street) is offering a market price Oscar-style lobster for two with rosemary salt crispy red potatoes, amont other specialty plates. Visit its website for more information and to make reservations. 

Cafe Sebastienne at the Kemper Museum of Art (4420 Warwick Boulevard) is opening its doors for a rare Wednesday night dinner seating. Chef Remy Ayesh is creating a specialty coursed menu for $55 a person, with wine pairings available for an additional $20 (exclusive of tax and tip). Dinner here also includes a visit to the current exhibit, “Nkame: A Retrospective of Cuban Printmaker Belkis Ayón (1967–1999),” before or after the dinner service. Visit the Kemper’s website for reservations. 

Another rare opportunity is presenting itself tonight at KC Bier Company (310 West 79th Street), which is hosting a four-course, six-beer dinner featuing foods made by Dirndl Kitchens, to be served with a variety of KC Bier Co.’s beers. Among your food options: Rinderrouladen, a bacon and pickle(!)-stuffed flank steak served with potato dumplings and braised cabbage. Tickets are $60 (does not include tax or tip) per person and can be secured by visiting KC Bier Co or by calling 816-214-8691. (KC Bier Company is also celebrating its fourth anniversary party this weekend. From 1 to 5 p.m., they’ll be serving more than 30 unique beers, including several one-offs and seasonal offerings.)

In Lawrence, Leeway Frank’s (935 Iowa Street) is paying homage to love with a menu of Russian cuisine. There’s a lot here, including pork stroganoff, pelmeni, pork loin Kiev, and more for $45 a person (drinks, tax and tip not included). Email eat@leewayfranks.com for reservations. 

Finally, Char Bar (4050 Pennsylvania Avenue) is veering off the barbecue path with a seafood-heavy three course menu that, among many options, includes scallops with truffle risotto, lobster with pickled fennel and oxtail served in a mushroom ragout. This meal is $100 per couple (tax and gratuity not included) and tickets can be secured via Eventbrite.

Thursday, February 15

Anyone seeking an anti-Valentine’s party can head to P.S. Speakeasy (106 West 12th Street, inside Hotel Phillips) tonight for a party that includes passed appetizers, live DJs and cocktails for purchase including the “Swipe Left” and “Dumpt Cake.” Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.