KC Sipps: This week is overflowing with new eateries, two closings, and a celebrity chef brunch

Your ultimate weekly guide to Kansas City dining scene.

New Players in Town

Spring brings not only a change in the season but also an exciting transformation of the dining scene in Kansas City. New establishments are popping up all over town, providing fresh options for foodies throughout the area.

Filling Station Coffee

It appears that Afternoon treats just got a bit more interesting. This week, we couldn’t help but notice a novel addition at the midtown branch of Filling Station. The eatery now offers a gourmet menu featuring hot dogs! The standout take? The Midtown Dog: a smoked Polish kielbasa with mustard aioli, Wickles relish, and scallion on an Ibis brioche bun. It’s perfect for a decadent lunch when paired with a tea or the new Blueberry Lavender Matcha Latte.

Mr. D’s Coffee

Looking for a breakfast fix? Mr. D’s Coffee inside Lenexa Public Market has you covered. The coffee house now serves Cien Por Ciento Mexicana Red Kitchen breakfast burritos, available seven days a week from 7 a.m. Their Cookie Butter (Speculoos) Latte is a fabulous pairing for a breakfast burrito.

Palacio Maya Mexican Restaurant

Notably, the Palacio Maya Mexican Restaurant has announced a new branch in Lenexa at 97th and Quivira. The new location will dish up popular Mexican cuisine ranging from fajitas and tamales to daily lunch specials. All of these culinary innovations will undoubtedly spice up our city’s dining experiences.

A Sad Farewell

Sadly, the news is not all good for the Kansas City dining scene. We have received word of immediate closures of two well-loved establishments — Westport Ale House and misc. cocktail bar in North KC. It’s never a good day when we lose such enchanting places that treated us to memorable late-night delights.

Westport Ale House

The Westport Ale House announced its immediate and permanent closure yesterday, citing rising costs such as rent and food prices as the reason. Fans of the Ale House are bound to miss its unique offerings.

misc. Cocktail Bar and Event Space

Also in a rather saddening note, the misc. cocktail bar and events space brought up the tail end of this closure news cycle, citing a priority shift towards nurturing family time. The establishment, which was known for its themed months like Awkward Family Thanksgiving and 90’s Rom Com, left no trace of resuming operation or private rentals in the future.

Celebrity Chef in the Kitchen

For the city’s brunch enthusiasts, this week shall remain a sweet memory. It looks like The Spot has a delightful treat for us in-store. Celebrity Chef Kenny Gilbert, widely known from his appearances on Top Chef and Beat Bobby Flay, will be dishing out delectables inspired by his acclaimed cookbook, Southern Cooking, Global Flavors at The Spot.

Chef Kenny Gilbert’s Brunch

This high-profile event includes a menu featuring Kenny Gilbert’s popular dishes such as Fried Catfish with Sweet Corn Grits, The Korean Chicken Biscuit, and Guava Duff Cake. The event, which is a fundraiser for The Prospect KC’s programs to battle food insecurity and empower aspiring culinary artists, further highlights the vibrant culinary community of Kansas City.