KC Sipps: Two soft openings to shake up your morning routine, and $26 custom “girl dinner” in West Bottoms

KC Sipps logo by Theodore Rosen

Life in KC is pretty delicious. In fact, there is often so much going on that it can be hard to decide where to go and what to try.

That’s where I come in. 

I’ve curated this weekly list of events, openings, deals, and celebrations to keep you in-the-know. Cheers!

Something New

News Bites: Prefix Coffee, the downtown coffee shop with the brand new drive-thru that I shared a few weeks ago, is offering free coffee! Each Monday in August, from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., any customer who tries out the new drive-thru will receive any drink for free. This is only available at The Grand location, and no coupon or code is needed.

This is not necessarily new, just new to me so I’m sharing it here. Incline on 9th offers Girl Dinner each Thursday. The West Bottoms eatery offers a mix and match app, entrée, and martini for $26, inspired by the martini, Caesar salad, and fries trend. If I were to go right now, I’d select a lemon drop martini, caprese salad, and garlic parmesan fries.

Midtown Kava has rebranded as Namaste & Midtown. The space focuses on alcohol alternatives, featuring ingredients like kava, THC, CBD, and more. Pitch writer Tiffany Watts covered the spot in detail for The Kansas City Defender. Another rebrand has occurred in Midtown. Billie’s Juicery now has a new name and new ownership. Now called Wylde Thyme, the juicery will demonstrate a style and menu evolution over the next month as former General Manager Victoria Bostic takes over as owner. A celebration will be held September 6 to mark the new era.

Opening

Luca Bagel Co.: The popular (as in, long lines every time) Overland Park Farmers Market bagel pop-up now has a brick-and-mortar shop. Luca Bagel is currently in its soft-opening phase at the new Brookside location–formerly Mattie’s Foods. Currently, the hours are Thursday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. As someone who eats this every Monday (shoutout to office building catering!), I strongly urge you to have it toasted, but the plain bagel with scallion schmear is my go-to.

Cội Nguồn Origin: It was mere weeks ago that I profiled Nhung Hoang and her new Gladstone coffee shop. Well, now those further south in the metro will have an easier time trying her Vietnamese coffee creations. Origin is taking over Entity Lounge in Overland Park for the morning menu. The soft-opening phase begins August 11, open 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. If it’s on the menu, I recommend The Timmy for something coffee-forward, or Salted Coffee if you’re in the mood for something slightly sweeter.

Zen Donkey Farms Wellness Cafe & Juicery: You may recognize Zen Donkey juices from area farmers’ markets and grocers, but now they have their very own shop. The new cafe and juicery is located in Fairway Shops, and officially opens today. The shop offers a selection of smoothies, raw juices, salads, and some sweet treats, with a few tables and chairs. I stopped by yesterday and sampled a few things, but the blackberry cacao chia cup stood out the most, as a lighter sweet treat.

Zen Donkey Wellness Cafe & Juicery // Photo by Sarah Sipple

August 8-9

The Sandbar: In downtown Lawrence, The Sandbar is hosting an anniversary block party on both Saturday and Sunday. Live music starts at 7 p.m. both nights. $10 admission is required to enter the beer garden, but general attendance is free.

Andre’s: At the South Plaza location of Andre’s, Clementine’s Ice Cream will pop up both Friday and Saturday from 3 – 9 p.m., selling scoops and pints. The St. Louis-based ice cream maker is opening a store in KC soon, but be warned: it may ruin you for other ice cream. At a recent pop-up, I treated myself to the strawberry balsamic white pepper… and wow. It was not only the smoothest ice cream I’ve ever had, but the flavor was like art. Sweet, sharp, complex, and I never wanted to put the spoon down. 

August 10

Cafe Cà Phê: Treat yourself and your pup, all while supporting a great local organization. Pawsperity will be at Cafe Cà Phê from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., offering free grooming vouchers for the first 100 customers. The Columbus Park coffee shop will feature a one-day-only drink, and vendors will be on site. P.S. Cafe Cà Phê will be closed August 11 – 14 while the team holds a pop-up in NYC.

Weston Wine Company: Weston Wine Company has a variety of Harry Potter-themed events all weekend, culminating in tarot readings with Veil and Vow Tarot and a “Wizarding Wine Flight”, both starting at 12 p.m. Reservations for readings are not required, but suggested.

Plan Ahead

Kanbe’s Markets: Kanbe’s and the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Center are celebrating 816 Day with The People’s Picnic. The free, family-friendly picnic features live music and free produce, plus food vendors, kids’ activities, a bike repair station, and more. The event is from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Ivanhoe’s Orchard, and no tickets are required.