Coffee Kingpin
WED 12/1
The coffee we brew for our colleagues at work seems only to get worse, and what we produce at home with the French press always turns out extra bitter and jittery-strong, with teeth-staining grinds lurking in the last few sips. Oh, coffee gods, we bow down before you and ask, "Why? Why is it so damned hard to brew a decent cup of joe?" The answer, as the Roasterie's "Bean Baron" Danny O'Neill might have told us, is that brewing coffee is a nuanced near-art form. The beans must be ground to the right consistency, the water has to be the correct temperature, and the beans need to be properly stored. From 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, the Culinary Center of Kansas City (7917 Foster in Overland Park) presents Spilling the Beans, a coffee tutorial and tasting with O'Neill. Space is limited; call 913-341-4455 to reserve a $45 slot. -- Michael Vennard
Fashion forward
FRI 11/26
Higher Ground Entertainment, known for its style-mandated parties, bags the bird and goes straight for the sweets Friday night with Chocolate Rain, it's sixth annual Thanksgiving holiday jam, at the Clarion Hotel (9103 East 39th Street). The swanky shindig runs from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., followed by an after-party and open bar until 6 a.m. for the VIPs (a status available by purchase, apparently). As usual, no athletic wear is allowed, though this time around, jeans are permitted -- if you rock 'em right. Admission is $10 before 10:30 p.m. and $15 after; the social upgrade goes for $25. See www.hgekc.com. -- Annie Fischer
