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Javaholic/ Kansas City/ Wanderings

Java Jaunt: A Caffeine Crawl Across Kansas City

July 18, 2023
Caffeine Crawl Kansas City Coffee

Considering my javaholic tendencies and how long I’ve been following Caffeine Crawl’s activities, it’s a little absurd that it’s taken me this long to actually go on a crawl. I met founder Jason Burton when I worked at the Roasterie a few years ago, and I’ve been meaning to check it out ever since.

What is a caffeine crawl, you ask? Think pub crawl, but local coffee shops rather than bars (and less drunkenness). The first coffee-related “crawl,” Caffeine Crawl started in Kansas City in 2011 and now hosts events in cities across the country. It’s a guided tour of four to six local, independent shops and focuses on coffee, tea, and chocolate (allll the caffeine, in other words). At each stop, someone from the coffee shop—often the owner(s)—chats about the café and provides samples of signature drinks and bites.

caffeine crawl, kansas city, coffee, cafe

Our route got me up and out earlier than usual on a Saturday morning (the world does exist before 9 a.m. on a weekend!) and took us around Kansas City’s downtown and historic northeast. It’s not as if I need any encouragement to drink more coffee, and I already have long lists of both favorite local coffee spots and new ones to check out, but the crawl is a great way to discover new places and explore different neighborhoods of a city. Plus, it kind of feels like you get to go behind the scenes to talk to the owners and delve into what makes each shop unique, much more so than if you just stopped in to order a drink. And as much as I love coffee, my order is usually pretty boring—drip coffee or an Americano—so it was fun to try the more adventurous drinks I probably wouldn’t have ordered on my own.

With all that said, the crawl itself is definitely worth checking out (they usually do two per year in KC, in spring and in fall, plus a host of other cities). But the real focus is the coffee shops themselves, so let’s get to that. This was essentially like a supercharged—or highly caffeinated, if you will—version of one of my usual coffee shop explorations.

kansas city coffee Equal Minded Cafe

Equal Minded Cafe

4327 Troost Avenue

Though Troost Avenue has historically been emblematic of the racial and economic divide in KC (thanks, redlining), it’s going through somewhat of a revitalization and reclaiming, and Equal Minded Café is right at the heart of that. There’s a clear focus on community at the space, on creating a gathering place and hub, plus an aim to provide resources and opportunities to KC youth.

The space itself is homey and down to earth, with big windows, plenty of tables, a couch, and even a piano. There are shelves of books and games available for visitors, and a large back room that hosts a potpourri of events—open mic nights, local music, panel discussions, art events, pop-up marketplaces, and more. It’s the perfect space to meet up with friends or cozy up for work or studying.

While you’re soaking up the community spirit, you can sip on organic java, tea, or a smoothie. If you’re hungry, the menu has a variety of options ranging from paninis and wraps to quesadillas and avocado toast (including a few vegan/vegetarian options).

We tested out Equal Minded’s famous bourbon chai latte while on our tour—touted as KC’s best chai. I’m not entirely sure where that accolade comes from, and I’m admittedly not a chai expert, but I can’t say I disagree. Chai lattes aren’t my usual drink of choice—why order anything besides coffee?—but this one was delicious. Just the right mix of sweetness and spice, a little exotic, and rather addictive. I might just change up my usual order the next time I visit.

kansas city coffee Anchor Island Coffee

Anchor Island Coffee

4101 Troost Avenue

Who says Kansas City isn’t tropical? Anchor Island Coffee can’t bring us the ocean, sadly, but they have the tropical plants, nautical style, and chill mood to at least let us imagine we’re at the beach. The owners are from the West Coast and Guatemala, respectively, and wanted to bring a bit of tropical spirit to poor landlocked KC. Spoiler alert: it worked. The whole place is a little island escape in the middle of KC, with cool blue tones, beachy décor, and under-the-sea murals. The best part (in my opinion) is the charming upstairs area—grab a table or flop down on a couch and pretend you’re in a cozy beach house loft.

It’s a great place to come hungry as well—the menu has a plethora of options cooked in house, from breakfast burritos and grilled cheese to French toast, pancakes, quesadillas, tamales, and scrambled egg or açai bowls. Finding a coffee shop that serves more than pastries (as much as we all love pastries) is often a challenge, so it’s great to see a place with a tasty, diverse home-cooked menu.

We had a great taster of a few of Anchor Island’s signature drinks on our visit. In addition to a Messenger-roasted brew, we got to test the Dirty Sunrise—a refreshing iced concoction of espresso, orange juice, grenadine, and chocolate milk—and the horchata latte—a sweet, cinnamony rice milk drink. Neither of these are drinks I would probably choose on my own, so it was fun to try something new (definitely recommend the horchata in particular).

It’s not exactly oceanside, but Anchor Island is still a great place to soak up a warm, cheerful vibe and, of course, enjoy very tasty java and nibbles (and hey, you don’t have to deal with sand in uncomfortable places).

Kansas City cafe Waterbird Coffee

Waterbird Coffee Company

1200 McGee Street

I’m always on the lookout for cool coffee spots in downtown KC, and Waterbird was a pleasant discovery (not that I discovered it, but still). Situated right between the River Market and Power & Light districts, it’s pretty much smack in the middle of KC and is convenient to get to from lots of areas. It’s also just a cool place regardless of location.

Located in an old brick building, Waterbird is an open space with plenty of light and seating. The vibe is urban and hip but also a bit quirky, with touches of Native American design. In fact, according to the owners, Brian and Jamakee, the waterbird is a symbol of rainy season regrowth in Arapaho culture—which is a rather beautiful nod to nature and perseverance, in my opinion.

The café uses beans from Repetition Coffee, a woman-owned Lawrence roaster, and offers a rotating roster of inventive (and delicious, obviously) signature drinks. There aren’t really options for a full meal, but they do have pastries from local Scratch bakery, which is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

We tested brews from Ethiopia and Colombia—both tasty, but I have to admit my palate isn’t quite refined enough to notice flavor notes much—as well as an iced brown sugar cinnamon latte, which was unsurprisingly by far my favorite. They also offer a butterscotch latte that I’m dying to try. I’ll just have to go back—not a tough ask at all.

Kansas City cafe Core Coffee & Eatery

Core Coffee & Eatery

546 Olive Street

As a history nerd, I find the Pendleton Heights neighborhood fascinating. One of the older areas of KC, it’s a mix of gorgeous Victorian houses and slightly run-down old buildings. Right in the middle of all this is Core Coffee, which somehow fits right in despite being pretty hip and new. With exposed brick walls, lots of plants, and quirky tchotchkes all over, it has an airy, boho vibe. The stacks of books and games and displays of local art also give it a warm, neighborhood-y feel, though, and it feels like the type of place that has a lot of local regulars.

In addition to the usual pastry and java offerings, Core also offers tasty menu options, including breakfast sandwiches, grilled cheese, BLTs, and avocado toast. It would make a great casual lunch spot or cozy workspace.

Our treat at Core was another inventive original creation—which, again, I probably wouldn’t have thought to order on my own. A tasty concoction of cold brew, Mexican cola, and vanilla bean ice cream, it was a bit like a highly buzzed float. It was rather chilly when we were there, but this would be a perfect drink for these sweltering July days, guaranteed to keep you cool (and highly caffeinated). We also got to nibble some addictive homemade lemon cookies—not sure if they’re a regular offering, but I think it’s safe to say you’ll be well supplied with sweets on a visit here.

Kansas City PH Coffee Pendleton Heights

PH Coffee

2200 Lexington Avenue

I have to admit that I had never even heard of several places we visited (javaholic fail). PH, however, has been on my list for a long time. It’s also in Pendleton Heights, very close to Cliff Drive (side note: great place for a fall foliage walk). In fact, PH has dubbed itself “the gathering place of Pendleton Heights”—and it’s a fitting moniker. In addition to creating a very friendly, local feel, the coffee shop also hosts a whole bevy of diverse events—local musician concerts, barista classes, pop-up bars, a Jazz Age–themed night, a Harry Potter theater experience…you name it.

The space itself is equally suited to catching up with friends or having quiet work/study time. The old building is open and filled with light, and the pressed tin ceiling, mismatched vintage chandeliers, brick walls, and local art displays give it a storied yet quirky character. There’s even a kids’ play area and a giant chess set.

Though die-hard javaholics and non–coffee drinkers alike will undoubtedly find something tasty to sip here, PH is serious about their beans. They source their coffee from Repetition Coffee and Liberty-based Hammerhand, and all of the rotating selection of beans notes origins, flavor notes, and recommendations for doctoring (cream, sugar, etc.). PH has a whole four-tier system to organize their beans, with categories such as “unicorns” and “common grounds.” I have to admit most of it goes over my head (my palate isn’t refined enough to identify more then fruity vs. non-fruity blends), but it shows that they know their beans. If you’re into specific roasts and flavor notes or exploring coffee from around the world, it’s a great guide, and frankly it’s just rather charming (see photo of Lisa Frank–esque art complete with winged pink unicorn).

Along those lines, we got a little global coffee tour with a tasting of four bean options led by Holly (who runs the Geek Out with Holly barista classes). We went to Ethiopia with a roast described as “a chocolate-covered berry bomb” and El Salvador via a decaf with “dark caramel and berry jam vibes.” There was even a rare Yemen roast with Saut Farmers’ “juicy raisin soaked in spiced caramel” beans. I’m not sure I could identify those intricate flavor notes on my own, but the descriptions are certainly mouthwatering, and it was a lot of fun to learn about the beans and where they came from. I’ll definitely be making a return trip to PH, either for a creative event or some chill reading time—though I’ll probably be boring and get my usual Americano.

Javaholic/ Kansas City/ Wanderings

Coffee Shop Love: Outta the Blue

September 5, 2021
outta the blue made in Kansas City coffee coffeeshop cafe

Anyone still out there? I am, in fact, still alive (I know, you were dying of suspense wondering).

Obviously unnecessary to state, but it has been A YEAR (or two? What is time anymore?) Everything has been a little topsy-turvy for everyone since about 2019, I think, and between public spaces being closed and life just plain being crazy, I’ve completed neglected my little corner of the web over here. In all honesty, the past couple of years have been very rocky in my personal life — I’m not going to go into detail, because that’s not really the aim of this blog, but suffice it to say, I’ve been out of the loop, and for anyone who has been feeling lost and/or hopeless lately (or ever): I feel you. With that said, I’m trying to get back into the swing of things, and it has been way too long since I’ve done some wandering.

So: I have new coffee shops to check out, new places to explore, yada yada. A lot of life/the world is a chaotic mess, but there’s still coffee and getting lost in colorful city streets and discovering hidden gems of art and humanity. I, for one, could use some of all that. Let’s see if anyone is still around to read about my shenanigans, eh? (If not, at least I have an excuse to drink lots of coffee).

First up: a cheery spot in Leawood to grab a java (or cocktail).

*****

Coffeeshop Love: Outta the Blue

5291 W. 116th Place, Leawood, KS

outta the blue made in Kansas City coffee coffeeshop cafe

Despite the fact that I’m currently bemoaning the hot, sticky weather and longing for fall, I have to admit that I love the beach (who doesn’t?). Of course, there are no (ocean) beaches in Kansas, but I’m all for places that let me pretend I’m in a tropical cabana. Outta the Blue dubs itself “KC’s Lil’ Oasis,” and really, the flip-flop fits. There’s (sadly) no ocean and (probably thankfully) no sand, but they do have palm trees, rattan furniture, and colorful surfboards on the wall. With plenty of windows, light colors, and modernistic furniture, the entire place is hip and cheerful. Did I mention there are swings? Probably not conducive to sipping coffee, but they sure are fun.

A recent addition to Leawood’s Park Place shopping center, Outta the Blue is a Made in KC outpost (though interestingly, I didn’t see anything that said Made in KC in the actual café). It’s usually quietly bustling, busy with everyone from people tapping away on laptops to friends catching up to families corralling kids. While I’ve been there, the soundtrack has ranged from mid-2000s nostalgia (think Hillary Duff) to 1960s-80s oldies. It’s a friendly, fun atmosphere, calm enough to get work done yet active enough for good people-watching and a welcome dose of gaiety. A little bit granola-crunchy, quite a bit hip, the café fits into the clean-cut environment of suburban Leawood, but it also adds a touch of style — and a laid-back beachy vibe — in an area mostly filled with a lot of chain restaurants and shops.

outta the blue made in Kansas City coffee coffeeshop cafe interior

If you’re hungry, they have snacks and breakfast sandwiches from Parisi Coffee, pastries from local Scratch Bakery, and vegan breakfast sandwiches from Mattie’s Foods. (Major points, in my humble opinion, for having almond croissants, which are annoyingly difficult to find and obviously the best.) For sips, there’s the usual lineup of espresso beverages and (quite tasty) drip coffee, as well as a selection of teas and cold-pressed juices. And if you need something a bit stronger — or feel like really leaning into the tropical cabana spirit — they have a full bar menu of cocktails, beer, and natural/organic wine.

All in all, it’s not actually the beach, but Outta the Blue is a fun place to work or hang out. As much as I like offbeat, slightly shabby coffee shops, it’s hard not to fall in love with this bright little café. After all, who doesn’t love palm trees and swings?

outta the blue made in Kansas City coffee coffeeshop cafe interior

Food/ Javaholic/ Travel

The Best Paris Coffeeshops

November 29, 2019
Paris coffee coffeeshops

What would a trip to Paris be without le café? Despite Paris’s vibrant café culture, it’s generally accepted that the coffee itself isn’t all that great. But in the past few years, the third-wave coffee movement has hit the city — with vigor — and these days there are legit roasters and more coffeeshops than even I could manage to hit in one trip. That’s not to say I didn’t try — I had a mile-long list going into my trip, and I drank enough coffee to fuel endless trekking around the city (which is a lot). Though I don’t want to think about how much of my trip budget went to coffee breaks, this did leave me with a pretty good sampling of the Paris coffee scene. Unlike years past, it’s pretty easy now to find a good latte or filter coffee in Paris (and the list of places offering alternative milks is also growing), not to mention that there’s a collection of friendly, charming cafés to visit. My list was a good one — I don’t think I drank a bad cup of coffee on my trip. That said, I narrowed it down to my top five picks for the best Paris coffeeshops (though the full list of spots I visited is included as well — all of which I would recommend, honestly). Thankfully, there’s never a need to wander Paris under-caffeinated again!

Boot Café

19 rue du Pont aux Choux

This might just be the tiniest coffeeshop in Paris — it’s also one of the cutest, and serves up delicious coffee to boot (no pun intended). Nestled in an old cordonnerie, or cobbler’s shop, in the Marais, this petite blue café has just enough room inside for the counter and a couple of tables. They manage to fit a lot of charm into a small space, though, with rustic-chic décor, art on the walls, and fresh flowers — plus delicious coffee and pastries, of course. Get a flat white to go as you meander through the Marais, or take a moment to perch on one of the outside seats and enjoy the charming street.

 

Paul et Rimbaud

40 rue Sedaine

Books and coffee — what’s not to love? Near Bastille in the hip 11e, this charming café is stocked floor to ceiling with books and filled with plants. It’s definitely worth taking your coffee to stay here — grab a seat at one of the eclectically mismatched tables or sofas and enjoy the tranquil vibes as you sip your café from a pastel-hued cup and munch on a house-made treat (I highly recommend the carrot cake — it was scrumptious). Though I generally think the rude Parisian stereotype is a myth, it’s also worth noting that the staff here are lovely (not a surly waiter in sight).

Strada Café

24 rue Monge

It should tell you something that I went out of my way to return to this little café several times during my trip. There are actually two locations, though I only checked out the bustling café near the Latin Quarter. This was one of the few places where I found a nearly-American-size latte (which is likely a point against me in javaholic cred but was a plus in my book). In any case, the coffee is delicious and the space lively and inviting.  If you’re feeling peckish, definitely try the brownie, which is essentially death by chocolate and worth every bite. Strada is a little out of the way of the typical tourist spots, but if you’re exploring the Left Bank (which I highly recommend) — especially Jardin des Plantes or the ancient Roman Arènes de Lutèce — it’s definitely worth a stop (or two).

Le Peloton

17 rue du Pont Louis Philippe

You can’t visit Paris without stopping into this friendly spot in the Marais. It’s the sort of place where the patrons are regulars and the baristas chatty. I was barely there a minute before I was chatting about my trip with a fellow patron and the baristas, and the owners themselves are often behind the bar, making drinks and talking to people. With Aussie and New Zealand roots, it’s a favorite gathering spot for the expat crowd in Paris, and for good reason. Don’t miss the delicious waffles with your flat white, and if you’re looking for a little guidance around Paris, they also host bike tours around Paris and Versailles.

Café Oberkampf

3 rue Neuve Popincourt

If you’re looking for a mean flat white and a tasty bite in the up-and-coming Oberkampf district, look no further than Café Oberkampf. This Aussie-inspired café serves up top-notch coffee and fresh, healthy eats in a bright, friendly setting. It’s another tiny spot, but it’s definitely worth grabbing one of the few tables and staying for brunch or lunch. Their specialty is the tartine (an open-faced sandwich or toast) — a perfect accompaniment to a delicious cup of coffee.

 

There you have it — the best Paris coffeeshops! Here’s the list of all the coffeeshops I visited. Anyone fancy a cuppa?

Café Oberkampf

KB Café

Café Méricourt

Honor Café

Boot Café

Strada Café

Fragments

Ten Belles

Le Peloton

Sylon de Montmartre

Paul et Rimbaud

Matamata

La Caféothèque

Republique of Coffee

Binici

La Recyclerie

Javaholic/ Kansas City/ Wanderings

Coffee Shop Love: Nomads Coffee & Cocktails

September 20, 2019
nomads coffee kansas city

In my mind, anything that mentions travel, exploration, and/or wandering (obviously) is immediately worth an investigation. A tribute to explorers — literary and literal — worldwide, Nomads Coffee in Kansas City exactly fits that bill. It would be easy to walk straight past it, nestled in a subtle brick shopfront on eclectic 39th Street. It certainly isn’t the most colorful or eye-catching spot on the street. But that would be your loss. This charming café has become my go-to coffeeshop work spot, and it’s safe to say I’m a little obsessed.

Nomads Kansas City Coffee Bar interior

To fully capture the atmosphere of Nomads Coffee, it’s really best to imagine yourself as a slightly disaffected nineteenth-century writer or a gruff world traveler (or at least following in the footsteps of one). The entire café is a bit dim, with dark wood floors and furniture and deep blue walls. Sophisticated, in an ever-so-slightly gloomy way. Take a spot at the dark-wood bar, curl up in a cushy armchair, or pick an intimate café table and get settled in. My spot of choice is at the bar along the front windows, with a perfect view out onto the goings-on of quirky 39th Street.

Nomads Kansas City Coffee bar interior

To complete the travel theme, shelves throughout the café are stocked with books with a global explorer bent (think Jack London, vintage travel memoirs, old issues of National Geographic). The walls are lined with photos of Alaskan dog races, mountain explorations, maps, suitably gruff explorers, and people and places around the globe.

Nomads Kansas City Coffee Interior

Nomads Kansas City Coffee Bar photo wall

It’s the type of place where you might expect to come across a grumpy older Hemingway ordering a cocktail or a grizzled old explorer recounting tales of his latest expedition into the jungle or Arabian deserts (though in reality the clientele is more on the young and hip side, thanks to students from the nearby KU Med Center and the vibrant culture of 39th Street).

All that said, in reality the café isn’t at all gloomy. Despite the somber (if charming) aura, the staff and customers are always friendly, and the café is usually bustling, classic and peppy oldies tunes playing in the background. (Just absorb the old-world vibes and be glad no one there actually acts like a grumpy old mountain man).

Nomads Kansas City Coffee Cocktails

No literary or global enclave would be complete without drinks, of course! The coffee menu here is classic — none of that foufy frappuccino business — but the lattes are delicious. Plus, there’s also a full cocktail/beer/wine menu (this is an extra plus in my book because it means they’re open late, unlike many coffee shops). If you’re feeling peaky, they have a tasty selection of pastries and cookies, plus quiche, classic and hearty sandwiches, and breakfast burritos. Café fare, but the type you actually want to eat.

Full disclosure: I only tested the ham and cheese croissant, but it was scrumptious — buttery and perfectly flaky, with a subtle spike of Dijon mustard inside — and the rest of the menu looks quite tasty. The quiche is definitely next on my list!

So the next time you’re around 39th Street, wander over to Nomads Coffee for a coffee or cocktail — who knows, maybe you’ll actually run into that rugged world explorer I keep expecting to see.

 

Javaholic/ Kansas City/ Wanderings

Coffee Shop Love: Hammerhand Coffee

September 1, 2019
Can someone please tell me where the summer went? Scratch that, where the year went? Seriously, I swear it was just January and I was cheering when the temp hit double digits (now I’m just praying it doesn’t hit triple digits). I don’t know about you, but I’m now counting down the days until fall. Crisp air, colorful leaves, Halloween ghoulies? Bring it on. That said, summer is a time of exploration. Granted, any time is an opportunity for exploration in my opinion, but there’s something particularly carefree and wanderlust-filled about summer. I’ve been neglecting my Kansas City coffee expedition a bit, and I needed an excuse again to wander and think/write/drink coffee 24/7 — or at least justify the amount of my budget spent on coffee by saying it’s blog research. So I decided to make up for lost (java) time. This weekend, that meant a little jaunt over to Liberty, Missouri, to check out Hammerhand Coffee. To be fair, at only 25 minutes from downtown KC, Liberty hardly qualifies as a road trip, but I’m fairly clueless when it comes to north of the city, so it felt like an expedition. Particularly when you factor in that I spent the first hour there hunting down a police station, who called a tow company, who battled my stubborn car locks, because I locked my keys, purse, and phone in my car … but that’s another story.
Ok, on to the important stuff. In case you’re (shockingly) unfamiliar with the small towns of Missouri, Liberty is a historic frontier town just northeast of Kansas City, founded in 1822, and now home to William Jewell College. Think stately brick campus, rambling old Victorian homes, and an abundance of kitschy yet charming shops.
Hammerhand Coffee Kansas City Liberty
Hammerhand Coffee Kansas City Liberty cafe interior
Hammerhand is right in the historic town square, across from the Art Deco county courthouse and surrounded by quaint circa-late-1800s storefronts. Considering all this, it’s surprisingly hip and modern, the type of cafe that wouldn’t be out of place in Brooklyn hipsterland. Housed in a narrow turn-of-the-century brick building, the grand wooden staircase, stained glass window accents, and iron fire escape give it an old-world vibe. Yet the decor is crisp, modern, and colorful — mid-century style furniture, bright white walls, succulents, faux vintage lightbulbs, turquoise touches. In a whimsical nod, there’s even a Chemex with a live beta fish swimming around. It feels like a cross between a homey neighborhood joint and a student study crashpad, with both lively chattering groups and tables covered in notebooks and laptops. Liberty doesn’t feel like a college town, but almost everyone there looked to be under 25, so I would guess the students, as usual, gravitate toward the caffeine sources.
Hammerhand Coffee Kansas City Liberty cozy interior
In the art of full disclosure, the coffee had a slightly odd taste. Not bad, just different. I realized, though, that I haven’t actually had regular milk for quite some time (they ran out of almond), so that might have just been me. That being said, my latte was rich and smooth, and they nailed the latte art (yes, it matters!). The rest of the menu features the standard drip, cappuccinos, cold brew, etc., plus seasonal drinks, housemade syrups, and a selection of pastries. About your usual coffeehouse fare, though it all looked scrumptious. They supposedly also carry a rotating selection of beer and wine, though I didn’t see any sign of that (to be fair, it was also a Sunday afternoon).
Hammerhand Coffee Kansas City Liberty latte art
Overall, the chances of most people just passing through Liberty, MO, is about zip, and most large cities probably have dozens of Hammerhand-esque java joints. That said, it has a certain flair, with its 19th-century-frontier/hipster mélange, and the coffee is pretty damn good. If you happen to be in the KC area, it’s definitely worth a stop.
**This post was originally published in August 2018 on beanopiablog.com.**
Javaholic

Coffee Shop Love: Goat Hill Coffee

July 27, 2019
Coffeeshop exploration Goat Hill in Kansas City

 

Goat Hill Coffee & Soda

811 W. 17th Street, Kansas City, MO


Let’s talk about goats and mochas. What, isn’t that a typical topic of conversation for everyone? Ok, bear with me here. It perplexed me a bit at first that goats seemed to be a theme for coffee shops — the Laughing Goat, Kaldi’s, Goat Hill, etc. As a java nerd, I should have known better. In case you haven’t brushed up on your coffee history, Kaldi was a ninth-century Ethiopian goatherd who noticed his goats bursting with energy after eating some little red berries — and voilà, the discovery of coffee! Or so the legend goes. I don’t know if this was actually the inspiration for Goat Hill Coffee, but I’m going to officially declare the goat the official javaholic mascot in any case (and there’s your history lesson for the day).

Anyway, my mom and I were wandering around KC’s Westside neighborhood — an eclectic area of quirky shops, tiny indie restaurants, and shabby Victorian houses — and stumbled upon an irresistibly seafoam green coffee shop. Well, more like a coffee hole-in-the-wall. Of course, I can never resist a new coffee shop, let alone anything seafoam green, so we had to check it out.

Keeping with the neighborhood’s vibe, Goat Hill is tiny, charming, and quirky. Case in point: pressed tin ceiling, seafoam green details, vintage snow cone maker. Worn wooden shelves lined with vintage tchotsckes (and old-school lollipops for sale) add a rustic look. And when I say tiny, I really mean tiny. The shop consists of a window cove of retro metal chairs at a wraparound bar, plus a few seats overlooking the counter/kitchen area. It probably fits nine people max, plus the baristas. Luckily, that only adds to the charm.

On to the important stuff! Chocolate + coffee = bliss (amirite?) You would think that with a zealous love for chocolate and coffee (ahem), a mocha would be a sure bet for me. Perhaps surprisingly, though, I’m not really a mocha person. Or at least, I didn’t think I was. But this time I wanted something other than your standard latte, so I decided to give the mocha another chance. Spoiler alert: great choice. Not only was my mocha topped with a lovely rosetta latte art (hey, I’m susceptible to a good presentation), it was also delicious — rich, sweet, creamy, and perfectly chocolatey. Goat Hill has mostly basic offerings — you won’t find a frou-frou turtle-butterfinger-marshmallow fluff latte here — but their coffee is top-notch. They also serve Little Freshies snow cones, locally made icy treats in funky flavors like Blackberry Lavender, Spicy Ginger Fizz, and Blood Orange Rosemary. And if you want something sweet to accompany your java, they have a small but mouth-watering selection of scrumptious homemade donuts and pop-tarts. My only complaint is that they have only 8- and 12-oz. latte sizes. Yes, a massive latte is a java afficionado faux pas, but I wanted more mocha — that must be a good sign, right? I suppose I’ll just have to go back…

This post was originally published on my coffee blog, Beanopia, on March 6, 2017.