Peek into Little Freshie

 

Little Freshie

Kansas City, Missouri » Westside

------------------------------------------------------------

Whenever I want a sweet coffee date, Little Freshie immediately pops into mind. Before they opened, I never did coffee dates. It was almost always boozy. This place makes me so happy though, the warm wood tones and soft colors juxtaposed with clean, masculine details. The best seat in the house is of course by the window, where you can watch the neighbors walk barefoot down the street as they go about their day. A baby slung on her mother's back stared at us and then broke out into the most incredible laugh. We took our doggie Apollo with us this morning and he did a fine job of barking madly at every dog and man that passed by. To see Little Freshie in motion and in color, click here.

Photos by Linh Trieu

Winner!

by Fresh Fish Creative

Lyndsey

--------------------------------------------------

You are the winner of our Manifesto glass giveaway.

Message us with your address. Please and thank you!

--------------------------------------------------

Emily Farris at Feed Me KC has a great post about her favorite Horsefeather using ginger beer instead of ginger ale, found at Harry's in Westport. We'll have to try that soon! This was our first visit to Emily's site and we love her writing style and voice. You can read more about it here.

Unbridled Julep Giveaway

iPhone pic by LT

I designed this glass for Manifesto to match their menus – it was a promo for the Barroom Brawl at Tale of the Cocktail in New Orleans this year. So I "asked" Ryan to give me one to give to you! He also threw in two of those great letterpress coasters designed and printed by the always awesome Hammerpress. The Unbridled Julep was recently featured as one of "America's Coolest New Cocktails" in Yahoo! Travel news. We love, love, love to see Kansas City out in the big national media world.

Share your favorite drink with us in comments to enter. We'll draw a name out of a hat and let you know next week. Comment by Monday, August 6th, please, thank you and good luck!

Peek into Extra Virgin

Extra Virgin

Kansas City, Missouri » Crossroads

------------------------------------------------------------

I still remember the first time I was in the Extra Virgin space – it was a gallery then, Zin was in the Michael Smith space next door and we were there for the very first Urban Picnic fundraiser for The Kansas City Originals. That was an entire decade ago! Now the space is warm, vibrant and lively as Extra Virgin. I love how the bar is the main focus since that's often my favorite place to sit at any restaurant. Add their fun menu and excellent beverage program and it's no wonder that they are rocking it out on a regular basis.

hot, hot, hot!

FOR THE LOVE OF KANSAS CITY

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Where are we?

Where can you get an awesome collection of piano hot sauces?

Leave your answer in the comments section below or

send us a message via facebook or twitter @ELoungeKC.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everyone got this one right! It is indeed the piano inside YJ's in the Crossroads. Annie from You Say Tomato responded first and we'll finally be dropping off a gift for her, $10 to BRGR!

kate b.

Kate B. | Manager/Trainer

Parisi Café at Union Station » Crossroads

Years of Industry Service: 14

----------------------------------------------------

Parisi Café opened inside Union Station last August and Kate has been there since the beginning to help with the opening and with training. She didn't know what to expect and says it's way different than a retail setting. Business is unpredictable, depending on special events, train travelers and business traffic. "I like being here," Kate said. "I've always adored this building."

Before Kate joined the Parisi family, she managed Latté Land, working mostly on the Plaza. For the past five years, she has also judged regional barista competitions but has never competed. She is a barista advocate and being in the business, knows exactly what they're going through. When she's not working in a coffee shop, Kate reads, drinks beer and eats good food. She loves Fred P. Ott's, Westport Cafe, Waldo Pizza, Eden Alley and Thai food.

  Make KC Better » I still thing we have a long way

to go establishing food culture, especially vegetarian,

there are not a lot of places. 

Vinyl Renaissance

Vinyl Renaissance

Kansas City, Missouri » 39th Street

------------------------------------------------------------

Music stores, especially record stores, seem to be a relic of the past these days, but there are still a lot of vinyl lovers out there. 39th Street is great for niche markets – this fun music shop occupies the former Boomerang space. This is the second location for VR, they are originally from Shawnee, Kansas. Not only do they offer lots and lots of vinyl, their also carry a wide selection of audio equipment.

alberto s.

Alberto S. | Head Barman / Bar Manager

Extra Virgin » Crossroads

Years of Industry Service: 16

----------------------------------------------------

Alberto moved to Kansas City when he was 18. He bartended at P.F. Chang's for eight years, been a server and bar manager, but says, "Bartending is definitely the coolest thing I've done work wise." He has been raised in the restaurant business since he was a little kid. He bussed tables at his dad's restaurant in New Jersey and his mom, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a sommelier. However, he doesn't think his parents wanted the service industry life for him, but says it's their fault! With all the fanfare he gets from the local press, Alberto says, "My grandma is really proud of me."

Over the years, with all the great information gleaned from his experience, Alberto said all of sudden, he knew the answers people kept asking. That confidence and knowledge has led him to playing with some fun things behind the bar at Extra Virgin, like infusing Samogon with golden delicious apples, bartlett pears, all spice, berries, nutmeg and cinnamon sticks so he can make a punch. Or barrel-aging rye whiskey for Manhattans and Negronis. He continues to hone his drink-making and service skills by reading cocktail books, experimenting with infusions and barrel-aging, and working with all the fresh, seasonal ingredients that he gets to rifle through at Extra Virgin. There's always something fun and delicious going on.

When he's not playing mad scientist with his cocktails, he's playing video games and watching movies. Plus he reads a lot, autobiographies, some Eastern philosophy and of course, cocktail recipe books. 

  Make KC Better » Have a chapter of the United States 

 Bartender's Guild in Kansas City. 

Vietnam Cafe

Vietnam Cafe

Kansas City, Missouri » Columbus Park

------------------------------------------------------------

Eating at Vietnam Cafe is tricky. You have to time it so you're not arriving with everyone else, which means standing around for a table. Or too late, it just isn't the same during late dinner as it is during lunch time. Same place, different energy/vibe. You want to squeeze into that dirty booth right before it's cleared and then stare at all the new customers who walk in after you. Just watch, everyone does it. Don't forget to order Chanh Muoi, the yummy pickled lemonade drink that I sometimes wish came with vodka!

---{1}---

Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls), $2.50 for two

These are not the best I've ever had by a long shot, but I still enjoy them. The kind I like have more herbs inside, a bit of cilantro, a sliver of chive and some bean sprouts make all the difference.

---{2+3}---

Mi Hoanh Thanh (Wonton Noodle Soup), $6.95

Pork wontons, egg noodle, green onion, fried garlic.

---{4+5}---

Hu Tieu Chay (Vegetarian Clear Noodle Soup), $6.95

Tofu, broccoli, carrots, onion, cabbage, clear bean thread noodles.

---{6}---

If you don't get this plate to add to your soup, you're missing out. Everyone adds different things, but I add everything: Thai basil, cilantro, bean sprouts, jalapeno, and loads of lime. Top off with a healthy squeeze of Hoisin and Sriracha. Purists, of course, want to enjoy their broth untouched, but not me!

austin c.

Austin C. | Server

Garozzo's Ristorante » Columbus Park

Years of Industry Service: 6

----------------------------------------------------

Austin is carrying on a family tradition. His dad works at Garozzo's and is the General Manager at the Overland Park location. His grandfather worked there too, now retired. Even though Austin essentially grew up at the restaurant, it was only six years ago that he was handed the official uniform of tuxedo shirt, black bow tie and suspenders. Austin has 10 siblings, six brothers and four sisters. He is the second oldest. After the many hours of restaurant work, Austin says, "I just sit and relax."

  Make KC Better » Stop with all the construction. 

Homegrown Foodie

As someone who regularly steals restaurant menus, takes pictures of bathroom interiors and stares longingly at signage, this event sounds perfect. And I know I'm not alone in my admiration of food and restaurant design. The packaging, the art and the details complete our food experiences, don't you think? For those of you who look beyond the plate when dining, check out AIGA KC's Homegrown Food event. They've got a fantastic line-up of speakers, too. 

AIGA KC presents: 

HOMEGROWN:FOODIE

Where Creativity & Cuisine Converse 

Thursday, April 19th

 6:00 pm - 8:30 p.m

River Market Event Space

See and hear insights about the creative process behind designing for, about and with food. The discussion — on the convergence of creativity and cuisine in KC — will range from photography to writing, from packaging design to branding, and from developing new flavors to collaborative partnerships.

----------------------------------------

Tasty Discussion and Presentation with KC's Homegrown Food and Design Talent:

Christopher Elbow » Artisan Chocolatier

Payton Kelly » Creative Director, Boulevard Brewing Co.

Lindsay Laricks » Owner, Fresher than Fresh Snow Cones

Brent Anderson » Creative Director, Stir Branding

David Morris » Food Photographer

Jennifer Roe & Joe Wilper » Editor & Creative Director, tastebud magazine

For tickets and more info, click here.

----------------------------------------

AIGA is the national professional association for design, committed to advancing design as a professional craft, strategic tool and vital cultural force. At the local level we produce various events throughout the year that inform, entertain and join the graphic design community together. We have some 500 members in the KC chapter and a 2000 person communications reach.