The (Foodie) Secret Is Out

An exclusive tasting room opens up, the zoo changes its name in preparation for the new Aquarium, and Hawaiian Bros makes national list for growth.

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KC Daily
July 27, 2023

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Food

The (Foodie) Secret is Out

KMRA Tasting Club

Perhaps the city’s best-kept secret for those who love food, the KMRA Tasting Club, is finally opening reservations and group bookings to the public.

  • The KMRA Secret: For the past 8 years, Chef Forrest Wright has curated multi-course meals for those in the know. With no social media or website, you simply had to know someone to get invited.

  • Opening Up: Because these exclusive meals are becoming more popular, Wright has decided to make them available to the public. You can now book directly and enjoy 8 to 10 courses and drink pairings for $180-$200.

  • The Meals: Wright, who went to culinary school at Johnson and Wales, prepares themed meals full of colorful plates and new experiences for the group. Special dishes have included treats like triple-glazed duck confit and beef short rib with mushroom, onion, and miso slurry braise.

To book a KMRA Tasting Club dinner, inquiries can be made at [email protected] or inquire through the KMRA Instagram. Please include any dietary restrictions for your party. Act fast, as dinners for August are sold out, with limited space still available for September dinners.

Entertainment

A Name Change For The KC Zoo

Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium

The Kansas City Zoo is changing its name and logo to accommodate the addition of the Sobela Aquarium.

  • New Zoo, Who Dis?: The Kansas City Zoo is now the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium and will be opening a new Sobela Ocean Aquarium, named after the Helzberg Family grandchildren, on September 1.

  • New Look: Not only will the name be changing, but so will the logo. The new logo features new colors and animals "to reflect the diversity of the many species" now housed at the zoo.

  • Fill The Tanks: The aquarium will be home to over 8,000 animals, including sharks, rays, fish, and other marine life. It will also feature a 650,000-gallon tank, five miles of pipes in a water filtration system, and a variety of educational exhibits.

The new exhibit will be open on September 1, and tickets can be purchased directly through the zoo website. There will be no additional cost to enter the aquarium beyond the initial cost for zoo entry.

Business

Hawaiian Takeover

Hawaiian Bros

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in America, according to the National Restaurant News’ top 500 list.

  • The 500 Club: The National Restaurant News’ Top 500 list ranks the 500 fastest-growing restaurants from across the country. It may or may not come as a surprise that Hawaiian Bros Island Grill placed in the top 10 of this year’s list.

  • Fast Growth: The chain reported $99 million in 2022 systemwide sales and an 80% increase in sales year-over-year. With new locations planned across the Southwest, you may see them on this same list next year for the 3rd year in a row.

  • EOTY: Hawaiian Bros co-founder Cameron McNie was named among the winners of the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year Heartland Award.

You can try Hawaiian Bros Island Grill's traditional Hawaiian plates at one of their nearly 40 locations in seven states, including 13 in the KC Metro alone.

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