A new Spanish tavern will soon open in Kansas City’s Crossroads district
When local entrepreneur Shawn McClenny was battling stage four metastatic cancer, he promised himself that he’d pursue starting his dream business if he ever went into remission.
At the time, doctors predicted he had about six months to live, McClenny said.
And here he is, almost exactly two years later and cancer free with the keys to Lilico’s Taverna in hand.
His new concept is in the Crossroads at 1615 Oak St., in the former home of The Pairing. The goal is to have it open by Nov. 11.
“It’s just a casual Spanish cafe,” McClenny said. “No reservations, it’s not upscale … if there’s an open table, you come in and have happy hour.”
He’s opening the spot with his wife, Carolina. It’s named after her late father, Orlando Cortes, whose Cuban nickname was Lilico.
In honor of her family, it will have both Cuban and Spanish nods on its menu and throughout the space.
“Cuba gets a lot of its influence from Spain,” McClenny said.
The place is primarily a tavern but will serve some food. They’re calling it a “snacks and sangria” spot, offering canned fish, pinchos, cocktails and mocktails. Its decor will be inspired by Spanish artist Salvador Dalí.
Some items on its menu: Jamon Iberico with gouda and served on Ibis Bakery bread ($12), and Santa Catarina gourmet tuna ($8).
Cocktails include the Caipirinha (cachaca, lime juice and sugar), Tinto de Verano (Spanish red wine, Sprite and lemon juice), and a Madrid mule (vanilla vodka, simple syrup and limes).
If McClenny’s name sounds familiar, it might be because he’s no stranger to the Kansas City area restaurant industry.
He’s the former owner of One Block South at 119th Street and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park, which closed in 2020 after the pandemic hit. The spot had four concepts: Fuel American Made Bar & Grill, Kanza Hall, Red 8 Billiards and Local Tap.
He opened Hogshead on the Plaza in 2017 and closed it in 2019, with McClenny saying the spot “just didn’t have the traffic.”
He had originally hoped to open Lilico’s Taverna beneath the space.