Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce had a date at this KC restaurant. I tried it and loved it

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If the Chiefs played their AFC Championship-winning game against the Ravens in Kansas City instead of Baltimore, Travis Kelce might have taken Taylor Swift back to Piropos Restaurant that night to celebrate.

The restaurant in Briarcliff Village appears to be a favorite of his. The couple dined there back in October, after the Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers. It’s near the Northland home where he lived before moving to a gated community in Leawood.

The relaxed yet upscale restaurant is known for its Argentinian cuisine, pan-seared meats and fish, and empanadas.

A lot has been written about “America’s Royal Couple,” but I can say they have good taste. Piropos is a wonderful dining experience.

Argentinian culture

I don’t know whether the famous couple is the reason, but getting a table on a Saturday night in late January was difficult. When my friends tried to get a reservation days ahead, only the 5:15 p.m. or the 8:30 p.m. was available. We chose the 5:15.

I’m glad we did so we could linger. There’s so much to enjoy at Piropos. Want some art with your meal? A 35-foot mural spreads throughout the space, showing a scene from downtown Buenos Aires painted by local artist Cathy Kline. Works of native folk art, such as dolls and other paintings, are also displayed in cases around the restaurant. No matter where you look, you can see a bit of Argentinian culture at Piropos.

And while you might think of going for the sweeping views — the restaurant sits on a hilltop overlooking Kansas City — Piropos offers an intimate, though neighborly dining experience.

Apparently intimacy is what Swift and Kelce went for. A private room with curtained windows — not the views — was their choice at the October dinner, restaurant manager Hector Rodriguez told me.

In this cozy room, 10 can dine at a long table, along with a few other small tables that can seat two. However, Rodriguez said when the couple dined in this room, it was just the two of them, with security at the door.

An Argentinian atmosphere may have been part of the plan: The next month, Swift performed in Buenos Aires and famously changed a song lyric in honor of Kelce, who was in a VIP tent, and then ran into his arms after the concert.

Swift and Kelce’s menu

Our waiter, Juan, was attentive, from the drink service to the entrees. When asked what we would like, we were a bit flummoxed. At time time, I didn’t know what Swift and Kelce ate on their date, and Juan wasn’t sure.

I knew that Kelce likes red meat, and Piropos doesn’t disappoint. With items like peppercorn encrusted 8-ounce filet in brandy cream sauce ($50) and pan-seared New Zealand 12-ounce rack of lamb with lingonberry sauce ($52), there’s a lot of meat to choose from.

My husband decided on the 14-ounce grilled rib-eye ($51), and I got the Tacos Piropos ($10). The rib-eye was the star of the show: tender, expertly cooked and well-seasoned. The tacos on corn tortillas offered grilled steak, chicken or fish (I got one steak, one chicken) with accompaniments of lettuce, pico de gallo, cilantro sour cream and guacamole.

My guests tried the pan-seared salmon ($35) and a hidden gem, Irma’s Filet Sandwich ($18), a pan-seared filet mignon. My guest described that filet on a toasted brioche bun as uncomplicated and incredibly flavorful.

But after I talked to Rodriguez, I found that we were totally off the mark. He said the Chiefs tight end and the celebrity singer both ate … fish!

“They both got the Blackened Mahi-Mahi,” he said. This dish, on the regular menu, is served with lobster risotto, julienned vegeables and red pepper sauce ($45). Go figure!

We also tried the empanadas, a favorite at the restaurant and affordable (three for $10). Empanadas are satisfying crispy pillows usually filled with ground meats or cheeses. We chose Piropos’ beef, chicken and caprese with mozzarella cheese, tomato and basil. (The menu also offers cheese, fish and corn options.) They were so good, and at that price, we took three home.

The name of the restaurant is a take on the Spanish word “piropo” for an amorous statement to a woman. The restaurant even has a card explaining the expression with humorous examples:

• “If beauty were a sin, you’ll never be forgiven.”
• “I’m now sure there is a heaven because I’ve seen an angel.”
• “Oh! If you could cook like you walk, I want to eat scraps!”
• “So many curves, and me without brakes.”

No word on whether Kelce has ever said a piropo to Swift. Or is he too cool for these syrupy pickup lines?

This story was originally published February 6, 2024 at 5:30 AM.

Yvette Walker

The Kansas City Star

Yvette Walker is The Kansas City Star’s opinion editor and leads its editorial board. She has been a senior editor for five award-winning news outlets. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame and was a college dean of journalism.