Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Whether or not you celebrate, who doesn’t deserve a date night (or a simple night out) every now and then? From cozy cafes to city buzz, I’ve compiled a list of my personal favorite places to take someone special – ranked by quality, price, accessibility, atmosphere and overall experience for a romantic evening out. Be sure to read until the very end for my #1 pick for this Valentine’s Day!

5. Parlor
Location: Kansas City (Downtown)

What do you get when you cross a food court and a bar? Well, you get Parlor; a vibrant and exciting host for Kansas City nightlife with doors open to guests of all ages. Parlor curates a regularly changing lineup of vendors that serve customers food-court-style, and, for guests over the age of 21, they have two bars between three levels. If you visit on a weekend, you might find yourself eating to the sound of live music, too! 

Price Range: $$
Vegan Friendly: Usually
Allergen Friendly: Usually
Menu: Parlor (current vendors)

4. Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Locations: Kansas City (Westport), Overland Park

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery provides a unique dining experience centered around fresh ingredients, a cozy environment, and a vibrant atmosphere that simultaneously feels both retro and modern. The menu offers a variety of breakfast and brunch items ranging from pancakes to scrambles. The welcoming energy and wide variety of options make this the perfect place to start off your Valentine’s Day!

Price Range: $$
Vegan Friendly: Yes
Allergen Friendly: Yes
Menu: Snooze, an AM Eatery

3. Sweet Emotion
Location: Kansas City (The Northland)

What’s not to love about an ice cream shop offering a menu themed around early 2000s emo and alternative music? This charming stop combines sugar and nostalgia for a memorable and flavorful experience. It’s the perfect spot to hit for a tasty dessert, neighboring all kinds of fun date destinations in the Northland.

Note: This Valentine’s Day will fall on a Wednesday, which means RINO will be hosting stand-up-comics right on the other side of the curtain that separates the two spaces. Talk about a two-for-one deal!

Price Range: $
Vegan Friendly: Yes
Allergen Friendly: Yes
Menu: Sweet Emotion

2. Blue Sushi Sake Grill
Locations: Westwood, Kansas City (Power & Light District)

For sushi fanatics, there is no greater dining destination in the Greater Kansas City Area than Blue Sushi Sake Grill. The colorful and lively atmosphere creates an experience that visually combines traditional Japanese culture with American culture and the dynamic energy of urban nightlife. Between the extensive drink selection, delicious desserts and appetizers, and, of course, dozens of creative sushi rolls you won’t find anywhere else, Blue Sushi is top-tier!

Note: Be sure to book your reservation in advance! Due to popularity, a several-hour wait is not uncommon if you do not make a reservation on a high-traffic night like Valentine’s Day.

Price Range: $$$
Vegan Friendly: Yes
Allergen Friendly: Yes
Menu: Blue Sushi Sake Grill

Honorable Mentions…
Before I reveal my #1 pick for Valentine’s Day dining, here are a couple of restaurants I highly recommend planning a visit to, in addition to the other entries on my list:

Meshuggah Bagels
Locations: Kansas City (Power & Light District), Kansas City (Midtown), Overland Park

Description: Kansas City tribute to authentic New York and New Jersey bagels. A new location is coming to Liberty this February! 

Price Range: $
Vegan Friendly: Yes
Allergen Friendly: Yes
Menu: Meshuggah Bagels

Baba’s Pantry
Locations: Kansas City (Westport)

Description: Family-owned Palestinian restaurant with a menu consisting of recipes mailed to the owner, Baba, by his grandmother, Tayata, while seeking an education in the United States as a refugee.

Price Range: $
Vegan Friendly: Yes
Allergen Friendly: Yes
Menu: Baba’s Pantry

The Fix
Location: Kansas City (Downtown)

Description: Plant-based comfort food operating out of a renovated historic building near Martini Corner in Kansas City.

Price Range: $$
Vegan Friendly: Yes
Allergen Friendly: Yes
Menu: The Fix

Minsky’s Pizza
Locations: Liberty, Kansas City, Lawrence, Independence, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, and more

Description: Local pizza chain specializing in creative pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, salads, and more. Heart-shaped pizzas will be available at select locations this Valentine’s Day!

Price Range: $$
Vegan Friendly: Yes
Allergen Friendly: Yes
Menu: Minsky’s Pizza

Mud Pie Bakery & Coffee
Location: Overland Park

Description: Plant-based bakery with a variety of sweets and savory goods, including everything from pastries to sandwiches. Both Valentine’s Day and “anti-Valentine’s Day” Mostess will be available to those who order before they sell out! 

Price Range: $
Vegan Friendly: Yes
Allergen Friendly: Yes
Menu: Mud Pie Bakery & Coffee

1. The Tree Hugger Kitchen
Location: Riverside, MO

The Tree Hugger Kitchen takes the #1 spot on my list for its wide selection of food, dedicated staff and unique ability to make your dining experience feel like an indoor picnic. Complete with a shelf full of board games, rustic décor, comfortable seating and delicious food, I could not think of a better restaurant to spend quality time with my favorite person. Bring your stay-at-home date night to The Tree Hugger Kitchen this Valentine’s Day for a peaceful dining experience you’re sure to remember!

Price Range: $$
Vegan Friendly: Yes
Allergen Friendly: Yes
Menu: The Tree Hugger Kitchen

Were you invited to a Super Bowl party but don’t know who’s playing? Maybe your best friend is a huge fan of the Baltimore… Bills? Don’t know who Patrick Mahomes is and at this point you’re too afraid to ask? Look no further, this is the article for you. 

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest television events of the year. It’s the one day when it seems like everyone, even those who don’t care about football the other 364 days, suddenly come out with very strong opinions about what a bunch of millionaire men do or don’t do with a ball. I’m not here to turn you into a die-hard fan. If you’re tired of “Superb Owl” jokes, or saying you only watch for the commercials, or having nothing to talk to your friends about until the halftime show, then I’m here to help. 

These tips are applicable to most sports, but particularly to team sports, and can be adapted at your own discretion. Here are my top five things to say while watching a sporting event to convince others that you totally understand what’s going on: 

1. “Consistency”
How to use it:
“So long as we stay consistent…”
“If we can just stay consistent…”
“I’ve been saying it all season. It’s in the consistency.”
When to use it: When the conversation turns to discussing performance or strategy, also known as couch coaching or armchair quarterbacking. It’s particularly useful when the team your friends are cheering for messes up. This kind of talk is typically critical, but this is a good and versatile phrase to use. It’s also unique enough that you shouldn’t be suspected of simply parroting buzzwords. 

2. “Stay healthy”
How to use it:
“The players need to stay healthy.”
“We need to play smart and not get hurt.”
“There’s been a lot of injuries this season.”
Keep your tone light while still sounding like what you’re saying means something. Don’t be so serious as to let them think that you have strong feelings about a particular player or incident.
When to use it: Like talking about consistency, this is a good neutral option. You can throw this one out during small talk pretty much anytime. During a game, you can say this whenever someone on your team gets hurt. 

3. “Let’s hold on to it”
How to use it:
“Let’s see if we can hold on to the lead.”
“We need to hold on to the lead.”
“Alright, in the lead, let’s hold on to it.”
When to use it: This one requires you to be sure that the team you (or your friends) want to win is the one currently winning. Toss this out during the celebration moment after they’ve taken a lead, or when the other team scores and gets close to overtaking your team. This is a good one to use when your team is winning near the end of the game. 

4. “Big plays”
How to use it:
“Let’s see some big plays out there.”
“We’re playing too much small ball.”
“We need a big play. Make something happen.”
Repeatable. 
When to use it: When things are getting boring and your team isn’t doing great. At some point past the halfway mark, there’s bound to be a lull in the proceedings. This is a good thing to say to kindly pump some energy back into the room. You can also use this one anytime your team hasn’t done anything exciting in a while, especially when losing. Some games are just bad to watch, and this is a nice, optimistic contribution. 

5. Pick a non-score number on the screen and say it like it means something. 
How to use it: 
“Only eight minutes left!”
“Fourth-and-5.”
“52 passing yards already?”
Repeatable.
When to use it: This tip requires you to pay attention a bit to the function of the scoreboard. The score should be easy to find. Don’t say that one. There might also be a small number that keeps counting down separate from the game clock that starts at either 40 or 25. Don’t say that one either unless it’s about to hit zero. For all other numbers, you’re probably safe. The game time is a good one because it’s easy to find on the screen and will make it look like you’re staying invested in following the game. If you still aren’t sure, take note of what numbers everyone else is saying and use those. 

6. Extra: Just ask questions 
How to use it:
We all love to talk about the stuff we like. Sports fans love to talk about sports. Odds are that whoever you’re watching with won’t care if you don’t know a touchback from a technical foul, and if they do, they probably won’t be fun to watch a game with anyway.

Let yourself be curious, but don’t expect them to walk you through every single second. Ask about words you don’t understand, rules that you can’t figure out, or what a statistic is measuring. Try guessing what the referee is going to call or complain if they make a call against your team. Throw in your two cents about the slow-motion replay. 

Whatever you do, remember that at the end of the day, it’s just a game and games are supposed to be fun. Get out there and have a good time!

Everyone knows the best films come out closest to the holidays, and this year seems like no exception. November is already seeing a great many fantastic looking films. Here are five notable films that recently opened or will open within the month.

5. “Honey Boy”

The screenplay for this film is by Shia LaBeouf, once of “Holes” fame but more recently known for his bizarre, erratic behavior. Directed by Alma Har’el and starring Lucas Hedges, the film is described as an act of therapy for LaBoeuf. Following two different timelines, the film shows LaBeouf’s ascent into stardom and his attempt to work out issues with his father via film and art. The film comes out Nov. 8, and it promises to be a wild ride.

4. “The King,” Netflix

This film is loosely based on William Shakespeare’s “Henriad,” a term for the Henry plays, and “Richard II.” Starring the world’s collective boyfriend, Timothée Chalemet, who is most well-known for “Call Me By Your Name” and “Lady Bird,” the film seems to be an attempt to translate Shakespeare for younger audiences, a statement bolstered by the appearance of actors Robert Pattinson and Lily-Rose Depp. Reviews have generally been positive, citing Depp’s strong female character and Pattinson’s short but effectual performance. The film had a limited release in theatres and is now available for streaming on Netflix.

3. “Queen and Slim”

Dealing with a pervasive and somehow divisive premise, “Queen and Slim” follows a couple – Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith – on a first date thrown into chaos after a traffic stop goes wrong. Smith, known for directing Beyoncé’s “Formation” music video,  makes her leading debut. The film’s screenplay was written by Lena Waithe, known for “The Chi,” her Emmy-winning writing on “Master of None” and the fabulous rainbow cape she wore to the Met Gala in 2018. The film seems topical but not trite, with great attention to detail and lots of care in rendering race thoughtfully and powerfully. The film is released across the United States Nov. 27.

2. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”

Depicting one of America’s icons, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” tells the story of a cynical reporter’s life-changing interaction with Mr. Rogers, played by another American icon, Tom Hanks. From the trailer, Hanks seems to embody Mr. Rogers perfectly, showing the triumph of love and acceptance over pessimism and hate in a time which desperately needs some neighborliness. If you’re in the mood for some wholesome, if not a bit saccharine, family cheer this holiday, “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” releases across the United States Nov. 22.

1. “Harriet”

With a star-studded cast featuring Janelle Monae, Leslie Odom Jr. and Cynthia Erivo, this film about famed escaped slave and abolitionist Harriet Tubman has been making headlines for months. The film depicts Tubman’s journey from a young slave through her escape, many subsequent journeys back south to help others escape and her stint in the Union army during the civil war. Although packed with action the film also works to be historically accurate and racially sensitive. While possibly not as horrific as 2014 Best Picture winner “12 Years a Slave” or as stunningly rendered as Toni Morrison’s “Beloved,” “Harriet” seems to be a powerful film that is accessible to audiences without becoming overly distorted. Released Nov. 1, the film is sure to be in theatres awhile, making it the perfect Thanksgiving break monotony breaker!

While planning a winter break trip, we wanted to go to a city where the food is just as good as the location. It is no surprise then that we chose San Francisco – birthplace of sourdough.

Because we are completely normal humans with a completely normal relationship to bread, we’ve decided to taste and rank five of the supposedly best places for sourdough in the city.

The bread is ranked in ten different categories: value, flakiness, smell, ambiance of the bakery, fermentation, taste, softness, crust, pairing with cheese and eating experience. The scores are then added up for an overall ranking out of 100.

5.  Boudin Bakery

Taste – 7  | Flakiness – 2 | Smell – 5 |Crust – 5 | Pairing – 7 | Softness – 8 | Fermentation – 4 | Value – 7 | Ambiance – 4 | Experience – 6

Overall: 55/100

Boudin is a historic San Francisco landmark that’s been baking sourdough since 1849. If you think that means it’s going to be the best, you’re incorrect. Although as far as bread goes, it was fine, the sourdough taste left much to be desired.

We were able to try the regular sourdough round, which lacked most of the fermented bite we were looking for in great sourdough. If we are considering bread in general, it was a good loaf – but we don’t want a good loaf, we want a great one. We came to San Francisco for sourdough bread, and Boudin didn’t not deliver in the fermentation department that sets that type of bread apart.

The flakiness of the bread is a quintessential aspect of a great loaf. However, despite our high expectations, this loaf did not flake well – a sign of commercial baking – which hurt its score even more.

The bakery building also houses Boudin Museum, which earned it extra points for experience and made up for some of its low scores. The museum educated us about the history of sourdough in San Francisco and how the common Bay area fog helps ferment the bacteria to make tastier bread.

4. Noe Valley Bakery

Taste – 7  | Flakiness – 5 | Smell – 7 |Crust – 7 | Pairing – 9 | Softness – 9 | Fermentation – 6 | Value – 8 | Ambiance – 6 | Experience – 7

Overall: 72/100

Noe Valley Bakery is a small and quaint neighborhood bakery nestled within the charming Noe Valley neighborhood. This bakery is well loved by those within the neighborhood – while we there we witnessed the adorable sight of about 15 children all shuffling in and consuming cupcakes and other treats sold by the shop.

Overall, this loaf was delicious. The bread had a soft inside, great overall taste and paired excellently with cheese. However, points were taken off for lack of flakiness and that general punch of sour we wanted.

Due to the small size of the bakery and the lack of seating, we did not get to enjoy the bread inside the bakery. However, we still gave the experience a seven as we quite enjoyed munching on the bread while wandering around the adorable neighborhood.

3. Acme Bread Company

Taste – 7  | Flakiness – 8 | Smell – 8 |Crust – 6 | Pairing – 8 | Softness – 7 | Fermentation – 5 | Value – 9 | Ambiance – 10 | Experience – 9

Overall: 77/100

Acme Bread Company is located within the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace – a renovated historic train station and food market featuring products by local farmers, artisan producers and independently owned and operated business owners.

Acme’s sourdough bread scored solid marks all around, with the exception of the fermentation. Although it tasted like typical sourdough, it lacked that quintessential sour bite that we were looking for in our loaf.

Conveniently located next to Acme is Cowgirl Creameries – a European-style cheese shop featuring their own Cowgirl cheeses as well as American and European cheese selections. So, you better believe we swiped some cheese to accompany the bread.

We bought the Inverness – a creamy, tangy cheese made from Holstein milk an aged for two weeks. We paired this cheese with all of the different breads we tried because, as any good researcher knows, a good experiment is only as valid as its control.

The sourdough paired well with the cheese and the combination of the two along with our other purchases from the marketplace made for a lovely picnic.

We gave high rankings for value and experience because right outside the Ferry Building was the beautiful San Francisco Bay – the perfect setting for a picnic. We did, however, deduct a point from the Experience section because of the evil little birds that surrounded us on the deck. They were after us – our bread, our cheese and maybe our souls.

2. Tartine

Taste – 9  | Flakiness – 9 | Smell – 9 |Crust – 10 | Pairing – 6 | Softness – 10 |Fermentation – 8 | Value – 7 | Ambiance – 7 | Experience – 8

Overall: 83/100

Tartine is a local favorite and is supposedly one of the best places for sourdough. The love San Franciscans have for the bakery was clear from the start – the long lines let us know we were in for a treat. Our excitement overflowing, we ordered their sourdough country loaf.

This loaf was scrumptious and huge. It smelled and tasted like it deserved a line of patrons out the door every day, which it had. The crust had a perfectly strong exterior that flaked away to an uber-soft inside – a balance that is hard to attain.

Despite all of its deliciousness, Tartine’s bread did not pair well with cheese. The cheese took the limelight and made the bread hide in the background, which lowered its overall score because we firmly believe that bread should be the star.

Although the line of people waiting for Tartine’s baked goods was a sign of tasty products, it also led to an over-crowded venue with no seating available. The lack of space to enjoy our loaf lowered the points for Ambiance and kept this bakery from earning a higher overall score.

1.  Josey Baker Bread

Taste – 10  | Flakiness – 9 | Smell – 9 |Crust – 10 | Pairing – 10 | Softness – 10 | Fermentation – 9 | Value – 8 | Ambiance – 9 | Experience – 9

Overall: 93/100

Josey Baker Bread is located in The Mill – a cafe cooperative that houses both Josey Baker Bread and Four Barrel Coffee – near Alamo Square Park. This small bread company has been around since 2010, bakes with only whole grains and uses the same sourdough starter for every loaf.

Josey Baker Bread was everything we wanted from a sourdough loaf. We bought – and rapidly consumed – the whole wheat sourdough country bread. With a soft interior, a perfect crust and that sour taste of great fermentation we’ve been searching for.

As well, the ambiance of The Mill, coupled with the nearly perfect bread, culminated in a heavenly dining experience. We sat in a bay window, sunlight flooding in, and ate our bread while drinking our tea and coffee. It was at that moment that we realized, bakery after bakery, bread after bread, Josey’s whole wheat country bread was the perfect sourdough we’ve been searching for.

Boasting perfect scores in the Taste, Crust, Pairing and Softness categories, the bakery earned an excellent overall score of 93/100.  This means that Josey Baker Bread is the official – yes, we are the authority here – best sourdough in San Francisco.

Photos by Hannah Koehler and Savannah Hawley