Table Hopping
Cute, Craveable Cafes
Bleu Tomato
33080 W 83rd St
De Soto, KS 66018
(913) 585-1232
www.bleutomato.com
Chef Karen Mitchell was looking for a commercial kitchen when she stumbled across an old pizza joint in downtown Desoto. With sister Marcy Bray as her partner, she took over the space and transformed it into a charming little cafe. Lunches are light and breezy, but dinners take on a cozy, laid back vibe with warm candles and guests popping open their own bottles of wine to share as they have no liquor license. Try the special of the day marked on the chalkboard. I enjoyed housemade pasta with shrimp, kale and fresh pesto with a cup of red pepper soup for $17. Entrees come with soup or salad. CALL: weekends to make dinner reservations, and don’t forget to BYOB – there’s no corkage fee.
You Say Tomato
2801 Holmes Street
Kansas City, MO 64109
(816) 756-5097
I say, "Delicious!" Seek out this red brick grocery store/restaurant that is a popular lunch spot for Hallmark employees. Try the Panini of the Week with your choice of side for $8. Featuring thick slices of perfectly toasted cornmeal-flavored yeast bread with rotating gourmet fillings such as goat cheese and roasted vegetables. The Quiche is heavenly, and if you like Egg Salad sandwiches, try one from here. The quality of their ingredients is really what makes the food shine. Closed Monday. PICK: staples such as local butter, fresh eggs or milk, or choose from a selection of organic salads from their refrigerated cases.
Le Monde Bakery
308 Armour Road
North Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 474-0055
Jef Dover’s place first became famous for the French baguettes made by a Vietnamese family, who worked with Jef from the beginning. This bakery has flaky croissants, a mean cheese danish and, of course, terrific baguettes. But the regulars know, Le Monde also sells fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Wed.-Fri. only. An order comes with three large rolls bursting with shrimp, sliced pork, rice noodles, carrots and fresh mint. Do get their Chicken Curry soup. Sweet and sour broth has coconut milk and huge chunks of chicken, potato and carrots. It’s another Vietnamese dish this quirky little bakery offers. An order of 3 Spring Rolls and Chicken Curry soup cost around $10, with plenty left over. TAKE: it to go if the little four-table dining area is full.
Café Augusta
12122 West 87th Street Parkway
Lenexa, KS 66215
(913) 859-9556
www.cafeaugusta.com
This café is owned by Micheline Burger, a local attorney, and her daughter, Mijanou Cackler, who both had culinary training from JCCC before coming together to open what they are calling a “new world bistro” in Lenexa. The menu is full of family recipes from a grandmother who hails from the German/French border in Europe. They have spent much time and effort transforming this former Chinese restaurant into a pretty and restful spot for a cup of coffee or a quick bite to eat with friends and family. For lunch, try the Combo and get half a sandwich and a cup of soup for $8.50. I enjoyed the Curried Squash soup with just a hint of sweet spice. SIT: outside on one of the lovely tiled tables in the shade.
Jay WaLe’s Bakery-Bistro
503 North 6th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913)220-2286
www.letseat.at/jaywalebistro
Ellen Hume is the owner of Jay WaLe Bistro which she named the place after her daughter, Jacy “Jay”, son Wagner “Wa” and grandson Leonardo “Le”. This little place feels more like a quaint little dessert shop on Strawberry Hill and although the desserts are stunningly good, the pretty dining room is packed for lunch with local folks looking for a tasty bite on a short lunch hour. Get the Vit-A-Man Sandwich and enjoy pesto cream cheese with thinly sliced layers of carrots, lettuce, avocado, cucumber, red onions, tomato, lettuce and fresh mozzarella on a toasted French bread for $7. SAVE: room for dessert, it’s what they are known for, and the spinning pastry case shows off their work with pride.
Jenny Vergara
Jenny Vergara is a foodie and a restaurant addict. Her addiction was fed by a corporate expense account on too many business trips while working for several restaurant and retail companies. She has spent the last 5 years documenting all the hidden gems found along the way in a series of personal journals she keeps for her own enjoyment. Friends from far and wide email her for restaurant recommendations in KC and other far flung locales. Contact her at tablehopping@gmail.com or keep up with her foodie adventures at www.makingafoodie.com.
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