It’s Summer in Kansas City, which means blue skies and hot temps. When the weather is this warm, most of us are craving a lighter dining option. Things that are cool, and crisp, and fresh, and don’t bring on any more sweat. Although we have not seen a lot of new restaurant openings in the past few weeks, there have been some new creative concepts that have emerged from quarantine with fresh fares that you must try.
Cultivare
Cultivare opened in the Deer Creek area of Overland Park in early July, offering fast-casual, health forward menu items. From their sharable plates, to their signature salads and bowls, there is an option for every taste. The Goebel Family has been operating successful restaurants in Kansas City for several years, most notably Pie Five, their fast-casual DIY pizza concept.
With a desire to create meaningful experiences, relationships, and spaces that encourage a healthy lifestyle rooted in balance, they brought on local influencer, Kasim Hardaway to help bring it to life. With an emphasis on flavor, textures, and dietary inclusivity, their approach was to create an elevated menu for all to enjoy.
Mission Accomplished! Since it opened, I have eaten there twice and am already making plans to visit again. Their menu is comprised of sharable plates, salads, and grain bowls. You can choose from their signature items, their limited time seasonal offerings, or you can build your own creation.
My personal recommendations from the Summer menu are the Summer Roll and the Mexican Caesar, and from the everyday signature menu, the Hanoi Chicken Salad and the Miso-Mushroom Bowl.
The Cultivare team only uses the freshest ingredients, most of which are sourced from local farmers and food makers. Which means you’re not only eating good; you’re doing good too. This healthy fast casual addition to this part of the city is welcome and needed. Visit soon and often so you don’t miss out on any of their inventive items!
Billie's Grocery
Billie's Grocery is a new restaurant concept that opened in April in the historic Nelle Peters Building in Midtown Kansas City. Designed by Unbakery Owner, former Filling Station Owner and Nutritional Therapist Practitioner Robin Krause, Billie's Grocery offers mostly organic, nutrient-dense, fresh eats and treats.
Their dishes are self described as “California inspired,” but I just call them delicious. From the setup to the friendly greetings, when you walk into this beautiful, clean space, you instantly feel welcome. Billie’s offers a full-service coffee bar, smoothies, breakfast, lunch, desserts, and a variety of grab and go options and goods from local makers.
We don’t need to talk about how much money I spent when I visited, but I had to try all the things. I started with a house-brewed kombucha and both the Raw Bowl and Thai Bowl for my lunch. Everything was fresh and delicious.
One thing that you can’t ignore is the stunning dessert case, and there was no way I was leaving without a box of goodies for my family and myself. We tried the Chocolate Chip Cookie, the Lemon Bar, and a slice of the Snickers Cake, and everything was heavenly. And to round it out, I grabbed a Mint Chip Smoothie for the road, which, no surprise, was one of the best smoothies of my life.
In addition to all their exceptional menu offerings, Billie’s is also offering cooking classes in their adjacent education room, and I am making plans to attend one soon. Whether you are wanting a quick lunch or a meeting spot, Billie’s is the perfect option as it has a little something for everyone.
The Market
Once a 136-acre country club and golf course, Meadowbrook Park is now a beautiful new creation in the heart of Prairie Village. When you turn into the park, you see a mix of luxury homes, lush green trees, lakes, and walking trails. As you drive closer to the center of the park, you see The Inn, which has its own restaurant—The Market at Meadowbrook.
This new addition opened to the public in April, and it has been the place to be ever since. With a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, a full menu and a large array of grab and go options, and a fun curation of gifts and goods, it’s no surprise that The Market has surged in popularity. The Market is the newest concept from Patrick and Joanne Quillec of Café Provence and French Market.
This café is open seven days a week and focuses on seasonal, fresh house made soups, salads, entrees, and desserts along with market staples like gourmet cheese, charcuterie, freshly baked breads, sandwiches, wine, beer, hard cider, and more. The Market was the host of my recent girls’ brunch, and it was the perfect choice.
Although I drooled over their breathtaking dessert and pastry case, I ordered the Avocado Toast and the Fruit Bowl, and both were fresh and flavorful.
Although the space it beautiful, with its hues of cobalt and white, and it is a great choice for any occasion, my next visit will be to grab something delicious from their many refrigerated cases and have a picnic in the gorgeous green grass surrounding the building. So many ways to enjoy The Market, so take your pick…but do it soon!
