10.09.2023

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Today’s Forecast

40º | Rain/snow mix | 98% chance of rain |
Sunrise: 7:37 a.m. | Sunset: 5:12 p.m.

🍽️ It’s easy eating green

Try these various vegan and vegetarian eats in Kansas City

A grateful (and delicious) meal at Café Gratitude. | Photo by KCtoday

Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in Kansas City, it’s a piece of (vegan) cake.

Our local food scene is as vibrant as ever, so it’s no surprise there are a slew of local chefs serving up fresh, vegetarian bites across town. From vegetarian barbecue to scrumptious vegan tacos, here are 25 restaurants serving up meat-free fare in KC.

Date night

Café Gratitude, 333 Southwest Blvd., KCMO | With 100% organic and plant-based options, this spot is centered around gratitude — perfect for an intentional + romantic date night.

LuLu’s Thai Noodle Shop, multiple locations | Arrive early for a happy hour drink and stay for a delicious meal. Pro tip: The Westwood location’s dive bar Our House is now open right next door for a post-meal bev.

Chewology, 900 Westport Rd., KCMO | Talk about immaculate date night vibes. This contemporary Taiwanese eatery offers bites like bok choy and three cup mushroom ramen.

Westport Cafe, 419 Westport Rd., KCMO | Transport you + your special someone to France for an unforgettable meal and drinks.

Café Sebastienne, 4420 Warwick Blvd., KCMO | Pop into this cafe after browsing the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.

Littlest bake shop KC — Little shop, big love for sweets.
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Photo by KCtoday

Delicious desserts

Seven Swans Crêperie, 1746 Washington St., KCMO | You can find an entirely vegan, seasonal menu featuring sweet + savory options.

Mud Pie, 7319 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS | This spot offers 100% plant-based coffee + bakery treats featuring seasonal sweets and fan-favorite staples alike.

Betty Rae’s, multiple locations | While the menu is rotating, you can always count on dairy-free options here.

The Littlest Bake Shop, 645 E. 59th St., KCMO | Cookies, cupcakes, and cakes — oh my. Plus, they’re all vegan and gluten-free.

Sweet EMOtion, 312 Armour Rd., North Kansas City, MO | It was never a phase. Channel your inner emo-kid with themed ice cream flavors, all vegan and some gluten-free.

Vegan brunch + casual spots

Asked

Have you eaten at a local vegan or vegetarian restaurant recently?

A. Yes
B. No
C. No, but I have considered it

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Events

Monday, Oct. 9

Yoga with Aly | Monday, Oct. 9 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Linwood Community Library, 19649 Linwood Rd., Linwood, KS | Free | Channel your inner zen at this yoga class.

Tuesday, Oct. 10

AEW Wrestling | Tuesday, Oct. 10 | 6:30 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena | $14-$94 | Watch iconic WWE wrestlers in the ring on this Title Tuesday.
Easy Honey | Tuesday, Oct. 10 | 9:30 p.m. | Uptown Theater | $15 | Listen to this rock band’s tunes like “Orbiter” and “Daddy Daughter” in this historic KC venue.

Wednesday, Oct. 11

Networking for Young Professionals | Wednesday, Oct. 11 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Lifted Spirits Distillery, Kansas City, MO | $10 | Chit chat with fellow young professionals while sipping on bevs from Lifted Spirits.
“The Presumed Funny” Tour | Wednesday, Oct. 11 | 7:30-9 p.m. | KC Improv, 7260 NW 87th St., Kansas City, MO | $20-$80 | Get your giggle on with Joel Oster.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Try This

Dinner and a show at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Try This: Dinner and a show at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Presented by a KCtoday Partner

Gregory Porter is a California native, and began his career singing in small jazz clubs in San Diego. | Photo provided by Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Editor Charmaine here. Recently, I attended dinner + a show at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. I’ve visited the Kauffman Center many times, but this was my first time seeing a show and, let me tell you, it was phenomenal.

What we tried

Before the show, my husband and I dined at the Kauffman Center in the Founders’ Lounge. From drinks to small plates to dessert, the experience was elevated and delicious.

After dinner, we watched Grammy-award winning jazz singer Gregory Porter perform in the acoustically-balanced theater. The Kauffman Center prides itself on providing world-class performers, and Porter’s performance was no exception.

In true jazz fashion, every band member shined with solos and riffs galore — the crowd loved it.

Keep reading to discover all my pro tips, from what to order to where to sit.

What not to miss

News Notes

Sports

Happy Victory Monday. The Kansas City Chiefs are officially 4-1 after defeating the Minnesota Vikings yesterday 27-20. The team is looking at a short week, playing the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Oct. 12.

Civic

Remember the City of KCMO’s goal to plant 10,000 trees over three years? The plan is growing in the right direction as the City secured a $12 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. The City hopes to increase density + strength of its tree coverage by 17%.

Open

Chicken strips + beer, coming right up. Strip’s Chicken & Dive Bar is now open at 5831 Merriam Dr., Merriam, KS. This is Strip’s third location, but the first to serve alcohol. The biz plans to create its own hard seltzers, too. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Festival

Jewish Culture Fest is returning to Overland Park on Sunday, Oct. 15, after a multi-year hiatus. The festival will take place at the Jewish Community Center (5801 W. 115th St.). The event will include 60+ vendors, live entertainment, and various kosher food options.

Coming Soon

Calling all coupon-ers. Nordstrom Rack will open its first south Overland Park location on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 12050 Metcalf Ave. You can find various brands sold at the 25,000-sqft luxury department store Nordstrom, including Adidas, New Balance, and Madewell. (Blue Valley Post)

Biz

Are you a KC-area employer looking for qualified staff? Join KC Scholars Employer Partnership Program and help change lives while also positively impacting the KC workforce. Connect with their Employer Engagement team to see if your business would be a good fit and build your staff with their qualified Scholars.*

Wellness

Hear this: The world’s first hearing aids featuring dual processing — and backed by cutting-edge German technology — were just unveiled. 385,000+ customers have transformed their hearing with double the power and double the clarity (plus: a 45-day, no-risk trial).*

Asked

💙 Kansas City is our happy place

Asked: Where’s your Kansas City happy place?

Editor Bella’s happy place includes anywhere with views of our beautiful city. | Photo by KCtoday

We’re looking to spread a little joy. So, we’re posing the question: Where is your Kansas City happy place? Think of a place you go in town that warms the heart, allows you to feel calm, or that brings back fond memories. We’ll start off.

Editor Bella here. While the entire 816 is my happiest place — there are a handful of specific spots where I truly feel my best.

Taking walks up to the National WWI Museum and Memorial to look out over Kansas City’s skyline is at the top of my list. If I am looking for something a little less serene, Casual Animal in the Crossroads makes the list. What’s happier than a craft beer and great company? Lastly, seeing a concert at The Truman, the place where I met my partner.

Let us know your local happy place for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

The Buy

The Buy 10.9.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The 40-oz. Stanley Quencher. Because the internet’s favorite tumbler is in stock in cute colors like pool, jade, and orchid.

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The Wrap

City Editor Bella Rainey poses on a rooftop overlooking Kansas City, KCtoday.

Today’s edition by:
Bella

From the editor

This weekend I attended KC Bier Co.'s Oktoberfest at Crown Center and had a blast.

Not only did I get to sip on some of my favorite biers in KC — but I also played fun German games and danced to German music.

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