In Your Cocktail: Aqua Penny’s Thriving in Kansas City
A New Destination for Seafood and Cocktails
In the Park Place shopping center, Kansas City residents are buzzing about Aqua Penny’s. This coastal seafood spot, known for its impressive selection of fresh fish, seafood specials, and hearty meat options, opened its doors in April and has been making waves ever since.
Owned by Penny and Doug Mufuka, along with partner Michael Werner, Aqua Penny’s was born out of the success of their previous venture, Bamboo Penny’s, which they opened in 2021 in Park Place. After two years of development, they have elevated their dining experience with the opening of this continental coastal seafood spot just across the street.
Coastal Chic Meets Lush Thailand Flora and Fauna
The interior of Aqua Penny’s invites diners into a serene coastal sanctuary. The palette of soothing whites, beige, and ocean blues, combined with greenery-filled hanging decorations, create a mood that’s coastal chic with a hint of lush Thailand flora and fauna. The establishment also boasts a temperature-controlled wine cellar, a private dining area, and a stunning outdoor patio that wraps around the building with doors that slide open to connect to the indoor dining area, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor ambiance.
A Menu that Dips into Seafood Paradise
The star of Aqua Penny’s offering is the raw bar. There, diners can watch as their plates and platters are assembled with shrimp, crab legs, crab claws, poached lobster tails, and oysters. Fresh seafood isn’t the only temptation, however. A selection of caviar, hand-cut and chargrilled-to-order steaks, a 16-ounce Duroc pork porterhouse, and a range of sides from wasabi mashed potatoes to wild mushroom medley round out the menu.
Inventive Cocktails and Decadent Desserts
Desserts like classic cherries jubilee or bananas foster, key lime cheesecake, and a fruit cobbler, coupled with an ultimate chocolate board, provide a mouthwateringly decadent end to a savory meal.
At the helm of the cocktail and wine program is Jenn Tosatto, a household name in Kansas City’s cocktail scene. Together with lead bartender Ethan Erisman, she has developed a list of fun, flavorful, and upscale cocktails, like the “You Can Call Me Flower”, a classic 50/50 martini riff with a touch of citrus and floral undertones from the orange flower water and lemon twist.
You Can Call Me Flower Martini Recipe
1.5 ounces Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
1.5 ounces Dolin Blanc Vermouth
1 dash orange flower water
1 lemon twist
1 edible flower for garnish
The cocktail is mixed in a glass with ice, stirred until chilled, then strained into a coupe or Nick and Nora glass. The oil from the lemon twist is expressed over the top of the drink, and it’s garnished with an edible flower.
Aqua Penny’s: A Coastal Oasis in Kansas City
Whether you’re seeking a flavorful martini, a platter of fresh seafood, or a serene setting, Aqua Penny’s transports every guest to a coastal paradise right in the heart of Kansas City.
