Just a quick reminder….
Brookside is hosting another Sip & Shop tonight, Sept. 18, from 5-8pm…looks like the rain will be finished up way before then! Stroll along 63rd St and browse through the shops, sipping drink samples and checking out the in store specials. Be sure and stop at one of the food spots for a bite or leisurely dinner while you are out! Thank you for supporting our locally owned Brookside businesses!
You may have heard a new restaurant has opened in the former Brady and Fox space at 751 E 63rd St…the cuisine is Mexican, it’s locally owned and operated and I stopped by recently to find out more. Welcome to Brookside Muy Caleinte Mexican Grill and Cantina!
Two families have teamed up to open this place..actually it’s two father/daughter owner- operators: Fredy and Alexa Rivera, and Noel and Gepsivos Ramos. The Ramos team also owns El Plato in Lees Summit. Alexa and Gepsivos told me they considered a few locations for Muy Caleinte, but decided on this spot because they “wanted to bring something to the community that’s homey and welcoming. People in this area are very supportive of small businesses”. The name they chose means very spicy and flavorful…and you’ll find some unique items on the menu that back up that claim.
The tamales are homemade, “made with love” as Alexa says, and come stuffed with chicken, pork, or rice and beans. You can also purchase them by the dozen. Tacos are deep fried with meat inside and pinned together with toothpicks. Margaritas, queso and guacamole are made in house and the huge, one pound Caliente burger is served on artisan bread imported from Mexico, with fried jalapenos and a special dressing. On weekends, you can order the quesabirra: shredded beef and cheese dipped in a special broth, cooked inside a crispy tortilla on the flattop grill. Or try the menudo, a type of spicy soup with cow’s tripe and hominy. Breakfast is served all day.
Muy Caliente Mexican Grill and Cantina is currently open Monday through Saturday from 10am-9pm; eventually they will open Sundays and add happy hour specials. Right now they are getting adjusted to the new space and working out the hundreds of details involved with opening a restaurant…still, Alexa and Gepsivos invite you to stop in soon and enjoy a meal on the patio or have a beverage at the bar. Muy Caliente is at 751 E 63rd St; at the corner of 63rd and Rockhill.
There are many, many places to get coffee and other beverages in the Brookside/Waldo area, so what’s different about the newest spot, Cafe Corazon? This is a cafe where you experience “cultural coffee”–a wide variety of blends and flavors based on the owner’s Latin American roots. Here you can try unique, tasty drink combinations not available in the usual spots. We all love our homegrown coffee cafes in the neighborhood–here’s another one with a twist to try!
Owner Dulcinea Herrer says the company chose Brookside for its third location (after Westport and the Crossroads) because the neighborhood supports locally owned businesses. “The Morningside Shops have the same landlord as our Westport cafe, and when we found out about this spot we knew we would get a lot of neighborhood business. And we wanted to bring something different to Brookside”. One of those distinct drinks is the Yerba Mate–Dulcinea watched her grandfather drink it as she was growing up in Argentina. The flavor comes from a loose leaf plant, often used for digestion. It is served in a special cup with a specific way to drink it – using a spoon, and is served hot or cold. Other frequently ordered items include a latte flight, the expresso martini, and the high tea service. Dulcinea notes that 100% of their coffee beans are ethically sourced, and are roasted on site at the Crossroads location. Breakfast burritos are served all day, and the tamales and empanadas come from Pinole Blue, a Kansas based company. You’ll also find breakfast sweets and cookies at the shop, plus a chocolate box based on a collaboration with Christopher Elbow chocolates and coffee; there are specialty cocktails and wine available too. Cafe Corazon offers full service catering and an expresso cart that will travel to your location!
If you want to try something a little different than your normal coffee or cocktail routine, stop by Cafe Corazon at 5911 Main in the Morningside Shops. They are open seven days a week. “We want people to come by and experience something outside of normal…while you are here try something fun and new!” says Dulcinea.
Last night I stopped by the public meeting regarding proposed safety improvements along Wornall Road. The City is considering reconfiguring the lanes along Wornall Road from 63rd St to Gregory.
The “road diet” would shrink the lanes along this stretch of Wornall from four lanes to three–one lane going north, another south, and a center lane for turning. I believe bike lanes would be included. The graphics were not very specific in my opinion! The meeting room was packed with people, and the main speaker, Uday Manpalli of the KCMO Engineering Division, was not speaking with a microphone so it was difficult to hear the presentation and questions. However, I did get the impression many people were opposed to the road diet, saying it would reroute traffic to the residential streets, especially Brookside Road, and create delays when vehicles were following buses. The goal is to reduce vehicle crashes and improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
Mr Manpalli explained there are three options to consider:
*keep this stretch of Wornall Road as is.
*reduce the lanes as proposed.
*do either of those options AND improve pedestrian safety by installing more pedestrian crosswalks with flashing lights along the route.
You can find out more about the road diet proposal and give your feedback, it is a very short survey, at this link. Whatever is decided, this project is years away from completion!
July is one of the biggest months for sales–so plan on visiting the Brookside shops this weekend and pick up some deals!!!
The dates are July 10-12, and so many businesses are participating: A Store Named Stuff, LADYCO, EB&Co, The Grove Spa and Boutique, Homegrown, Brookside Toy and Science…and so many more! Part of the charm of this event is just wandering through the stores, finding that certain special something you didn’t know you needed but want to buy–for yourself or someone else…and at a discount!
In addition, on Saturday the paper shredding event is happening behind Jalapeno’s from 8-11am. You can bring up to two boxes (or paper bags) of shreddable paper for free disposal.
Thank you for supporting our locally owned Brookside Shops!
When my husband and I go out for dinner, and when we have out of town guests visiting, dining at a locally owned restaurant is always a priority. Fortunately, the Brookside/Waldo area has plenty to choose from–everything from the upscale casual option at Plate to a slice of pizza to go at Pizza Tascio. Faculty Tables and Patio, at 600 E 63rd, is now another option—locally owned and operated, reasonably priced and a cozy, casual atmosphere.
Co-owner and chef James Landis has been cooking in KC area restaurants for 21 years now; past spots include Le Fou Frog and Blue Grotto; he also helped open Ragazza. When the owner of this space, formerly the Flying Horse Taproom, suggested he take over and open a new restaurant, he agreed–as he always wanted to run his own place like so many chefs! The name was suggested by a former St Peter’s School teacher, and as James’ parents were teachers, he thought Faculty Lounge would be a fitting homage to the family.
Landis created the menu, leaning on his knowledge of French and Italian recipes, but with a dash of his Midwest background stirred in. On the menu you will see tempura cheese curds, deconstructed apple pie, a trout dish and the very popular butter burger. Homemade sea salt caramel corn was on the “snack” menu when I stopped by. And of course there is a full bar, with non alcoholic beverages and a “bartender’s cocktail” that changes each day. “I want this to be a neighborhood place” says James, “someplace people will visit a couple of times a month”. Faculty Tables offers a happy hour from 3-6 Tuesday through Friday and brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11-2:30; on the second Monday of the month, there is a ticketed four course food and wine paired meal. The website is still a work in progress and there’s a glitch with the Tock reservations system to be worked out; just stop in for a visit soon! Remember to check out their rotating display of local art on the walls when you go by. ! Faculty Tables and Patio is located at 600 E 63rd St.
As a Realtor, many buyers tell me they prefer a “walkable neighborhood”, close to shops and restaurants. Brookside is one of the best walkable areas in the KC metro area– and this Thursday June 12 you can stroll the shopping district listening to live, local music as it’s performed on patios and sidewalks during the Brookside Patio Fest.
From 6-10pm, several local businesses are hosting these performing artists for your listening pleasure! The Roasterie, A Store Named Stuff, Charlie Hoopers, Meddy’s and Jalapeno’s and others are participating; many places are offering specials as well. Gather some friends and make a night of it-or just walk over after dinner for an evening stroll to enjoy the tunes. Thanks to the Brookside Business Association for organizing this annual event!
Think of all the great locally owned places you can hang out with friends in Waldo..coffee shops, bars, restaurants. The upcoming Waldo Brews Tour gives you and your friends the opportunity to visit many of your favorite spots…and perhaps discover some new ones!
The tour runs from noon-6pm on Saturday June 7–you can make a day of it or just spend a couple of hours visiting a few places. Coffee, tea, adult beverages and food are available…stops on the tour include Front Range Cafe, Kansas City Bier Company, City Barrel Pizza+Patio, Emilie’s French Teas; visit the Waldo Events page for the most up to date list.
Here’s how it works–purchase your ticket online, then pick up your ticket at Lew’s or City Barrel. The day of the event you will get a wristband when you board the bus that gives you access to transportation and the special discounts and deals at each location. The bus will stop at all participating locations; the main bus pick up and drop off is Waldo Social at 75th and Wornall. Buy your ticket this week – before June 1— for $15; $20 for purchases June 1 through the day of event. Besides the beverage deals, you’ll get a commemorative free band tee and koozie!
Long time Waldo residents may remember the bar crawl Waldo hosted years ago…now it’s time for a new and improved event, incorporating non alcoholic beverages and earlier hours to visit each location at a leisurely pace. Get your discounted tickets now at the Waldo KC events page.
Good news–our neighborhood now has another farmer’s market to shop on Saturdays! The Waldo Farmer’s Market is “back”, in that a new organization is coordinating the vendors. It’s happening each Saturday at Three Trails Community Church, 7735 Main St. I recently spoke with market manager Jessica Thudium about the details.
Jessica and her husband Sam are members of the church, and are very dedicated to providing services for the community. They run the Christmas toy drive, the food pantry and coordinate food drives. Jessica wanted to do ever more for the neighborhood and the church leadership team supported the idea of the market. Jessica went to work, contacting vendors and making booth arrangements. Their first market was last Saturday.
Currently there is a produce booth that also sells greenhouse kits; an ice cream truck; a baked goods and flower vendor, and an upcycle clothing booth. Jessica has space for more, and is currently looking for another produce option, coffee provider, fresh eggs and honey booths. “We are so excited to create this space for the community” says Jessica, “it’s an opportunity for people to come together, enjoy local fresh food and goods and support these hard working local business folks”.
The Waldo Farmer’s Market is happening every Saturday from 9am-1pm, in the parking lot at Three Trails Community Church, 7735 Main St. You can follow their Facebook page for the most up to date information. And if you know someone who may be interested in renting space at the market, contact Jessica at farmersmarket@threetrailscommunity.com.
Friends and neighbors, gather in Brookside this weekend for the 39th Brookside Art Annual!
Tonight the booths open at 5pm and close at 9pm; Saturday hours are 10am-9pm and Sunday from 11am-5pm; location is 63rd St and Brookside Blvd. Artists from around the Midwest and beyond display paintings, pottery, clothing, jewelry and more — all for sale…and it’s just fun to browse!! You can nosh on food and beverages from Cosentino’s Market, Charlie Hoopers, Everbowl and more; plus on Saturday afternoon there are activities for the kids. Please be extra aware of additional pedestrians in the area over the weekend… Thank you for supporting our Brookside events and hand made art!
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 