Nosing Around The Neighborhood: 39th St in Midtown Kansas City

Looking down 39th St. toward State Line

Close to the state line, surrounded by the Volker neighborhood and filled with restaurants and shops, the 39th St. area in Midtown is a creative, unique, and eclectic part of Kansas City.

I recently checked out the area and visited four local businesses, including Metuka The Pastry House, Retro Vixon, White Light Bookstore and Anna's Oven.

METUKA THE PASTRY HOUSE

Delicious Deserts at Metuka

Metuka The Pastry House was my first destination.  

Open since July of last year, this little sweet spot of a bakery came recommended to me by several local residents who knew what they were talking about.  

When I visited Metuka, I found it filled with cakes, cookies, European pastries, chocolate delights and more that sends a sugar junkie like me into a "sweet-tooth high."

I sampled (let's be honest - I didn't sample, I bought and scarfed)  peanut clusters, pecan carmel cookies and triple chocolate-dipped cookies.  They were all yummy. 

Inside Metuka

Most items, including lemon bars, slices of cake, and chocolate-covered Oreos cost between $1.25 and $3.50, which I considered a small price to pay for a trip to dessert heaven.       

Metuka is a very small pastry shop with only two tables, but they do have big plans.  They are expanding their menu soon to include sandwiches, soups and, in the summer months, salads.  

Ellen Hume, Owner of Metuka

They are closed on Mondays and Saturdays, and the business is owned/operated by Ellen Hume, the former owner of JayWaLe's Bakery-Bistro, in Kansas City, KS.

Metuka is located at 1614 W. 39th St. in Kansas City, MO, and definitely worth checking out. 

Your tastebuds will thank you!

RETRO VIXON

Outside Retro Vixon

Next up on my 39th St. adventure was Retro Vixon, a vintage-inspired clothing store which primarily focuses on "pin-up chic."   

Although Retro Vixon is inspired by past fashion trends, all the clothing inside is new. Even better, they offer shoes, purses, jewelry, hats and more.  

A glimpse inside Retro Vixon

This adorable boutique does a good job of combining retro and girly and is moderately priced.

My only complaint is that there needs to be more merchandise, especially clothing. 

Check out the shoes!

Even so, I plan on returning to Retro Vixon next time I am looking for something a little fun and different in my wardrobe.  


Retro Vixon is located at 1620 W. 39th St. It has been open since 2010 and is owned/run by Melissa Evans.

WHITE LIGHT BOOKSTORE AND CRYSTALS

Entering White Light Bookstore

White Light Bookstore and Crystals, which focuses on metaphysics, spiritual needs and more, was my next stop off.  

Entering this unique business felt like stepping out of reality and into one of those mysterious bookshops you see in the movies.  

First, you enter through a nondescript purple door snuggled between D'Bronx Deli and the Blue Koi restaurant - so "Harry Potterish" feeling.  

Gargoyles protect White Light

Then you climb a steep flight of stairs draped in lights and walk through a door which is protected by two gargoyles.  

Inside White Light

Once inside, the store feels calming and overwhelming at the same time.  A strong odor of incense hangs in the air, and the shop is packed with  unfamiliar but fascinating things - stones, tarot cards, specialty candles, books, jewelry and more.     

Stones and Crystals

I decided to purchase a healing stone for a close friend while I was there. 

It felt weird at first to ask about specific rocks and their powers, but the person running the store made me feel comfortable, was very knowledgable and more than helpful.

Jewelry at White Light

On the day I was at White Light, a psychic was also there doing readings for $30.  

Although I didn't choose to learn my future, I did discover that White Light conducts seminars, regular psychic fairs, channeling classes and much more for those interested in exploring their inner knowledge and spiritual growth.  

Incense at White Light

Overall, I found this store seducing, a little bit left of ordinary, and a place I would definitely return to.  

White Light Bookstore is located at 1801 W. 39th St., and a fun step out of the "mainstream bookstore scene."  

ANNA'S OVEN

Approaching Anna's Oven

Open since 2011, Anna's Oven is a restaurant focused on homestyle food in a charming atmosphere, and it was my last 39th St. stop.

The "premise" of Anna's Oven is based on a real person - a farm wife during the Great Depression who knew how to cook great food.  

Inside Anna's Oven

Hanging beside several other paintings for sale on the walls of this quaint restaurant,  there is a  picture of Anna along with one of her spoons.

A small eating establishment filled with about a dozen perfectly mismatched tables and chairs, Anna's Oven has an "urban eclectic" meets "grandma's kitchen" look and vibe.

Daily Specials

Their menu isn't huge, but it doesn't need to be.  It includes home-cooking staples like meatloaf, potpie, macaroni and cheese, roasted chicken, sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts.  

They do have a decent-sized wine list, have daily specials, and offer carry-out meals.  

Hummus Appetizer

I started off my dining experience at Anna's by trying the hummus appetizer.  It was delicious!  

Lasagna

I followed that with lasagna, which is "the signature dish."  It was quite tasty too - with thin homemade lasagna noodles.

Macaroni and Cheese

I also sampled the macaroni and cheese, chicken and noodles, Mediterranean tuna salad and  chocolate cake.

Chicken and Noodles

The chicken and noodles and chocolate cake were wonderful.  

The macaroni and cheese was decent but needed a little more salt or flavoring, and the dressing mixed in with the tuna salad greens was bitter.  

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

As for the service - it was quite slow.  I wasn't in a hurry, so this didn't really bother me, but if I would have been on my lunch hour, it would have been a problem.

It helped that the waitress was friendly, and I didn't hear anyone complaining, but there needed to be more than one person waiting on tables.

Homemade Chocolate Cake

Most meals ran between $8 and $10, appetizers ranged from $3 to $6, and homemade desserts were a reasonable $3.50 - $4.50.  They also had "party portions" on the menu. 

Dining At Anna's Oven

If you decide to give Anna's Oven a try, they are located at 1809 W. 39th St. and donate a portion of their profits to educational causes.  

There is also a public lot behind the restaurant for convenient parking.

So, after spending an afternoon exploring the Midtown/39th St. area and checking out several establishments, I honestly have to say, I enjoyed myself.  

I met a lot of nice folks, would definitely go back to all of the businesses I visited, and, along the way, found many more shops and eating places I would like to try.  

Exploring in Kansas City sure can be fun!

Kansas City's Newest Mexican Restaurant Is Open For Business

Chuy's Mexican Food is now open on the Plaza!

With eclectic decor, fresh signature dishes, and a relaxed atmosphere, Chuy's Mexican Food is a fun and quirky addition to the Kansas City Plaza restaurant scene.

As soon as you walk in, you realize this is not quite your typical Mexican 

The Elvis Shrine

restaurant.  

Brightly colored wooden fish hang from the ceiling, an Elvis shrine occupies a spot near the front (there is an Elvis shrine in every Chuy's location), and seemingly mismatched Mexican art covers the walls for as far as the eye can see.

The "Hubcap Room"

I happened to visit Chuy's at lunchtime.  I was greeted at the door by friendly staff, had no wait for a table, and was seated in a room with a hubcap ceiling (another Chuy's decorating tradition.)

Our waitress was friendly and seemed very familiar with the menu.  She also gave us free samples of Chuy's well-known creamy jalapeño sauce and the boom boom sauce, which is used on their Chicka Chicka Boom Boom entrée.

As far as the menu, there was quite a variety of items to choose from.  They had the usual Mexican restaurant items like tacos and enchiladas.  They also had several signature dishes including the "Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken" and "Big As Yo Face Burritos."

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom 

Most entrees ran between $6 and $11, came with green chile or Mexican rice and refried or charro beans and were made with your choice of seven sauce selections (including ranchero and deluxe tomatillo).  For $4.50, they also offered six menu items for children.

Chicken Chuychanga

The wait for our food was about average, maybe 15 minutes, and when our order arrived, it was piping hot and quite tasty.  I ordered a chicken chuychanga, which was $9.29, and my dining companion ordered the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom for $9.99, which was an enchilada filled with fresh-roasted hand-pulled chicken, cheese, New Mexico green chiles and more.  The size proportion of the entrees was fairly large and thoroughly filled us up.  

Making fresh tortillas

As for the history of Chuy's, it was started in Austin, TX, in 1982, and now has more than 40 locations throughout the U.S.  Their "claim to fame" is that they pride themselves in making everything fresh - from their Salsa Fresca and tortillas to their signature sauces and margarittas.  

Their food philosophy is to "bring you the best, healthiest Mexican food on the planet," and their business plan is to "continue expanding and dominate the Mexican restaurant food scene across the U.S."

Inside Chuy's Mexican Food restaurant

Open since October, Chuy's address is 209 W. 46th Terrace, and their phone number is 931-2783.  

They do offer curbside service, and their hours are:

Sunday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.  
Friday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Happy Hour at Chuy's runs Monday - Friday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., features a fully-loaded nacho car (yes, it's a car), House margaritas for $4.25, House Texas martinis for $7.50, and domestic beers for $2.75 each.  

While Chuy's doesn't "reinvent the wheel" in Tex-Mex food or "south of the border" cooking, it is a fun dining choice, and if asked if I would dine there again, my answer would definitely be yes.  

Diners enjoying Chuy's

Is Everyone In Kansas City Irish?

Browne's Irish Market - A K.C. Treasure

What is one of the biggest holidays in Kansas City?  Anyone who lives here will tell you it's St. Patrick's Day.  With a huge parade through the heart of town and big celebrations throughout the city, the entire area turns into a sea of frenzied green on that festive day.

If one of your favorite parts of St. Patrick's Day in Kansas City is eating Irish food, consider trying Browne's Irish Marketplace.  Through St. Patty's Day, they are offering a traditional Irish breakfast for $12.95 which includes rashers (bacon), bangers (sausages), eggs, potatoes, tomatoes, Irish soda bread, toast, coffee, Bewley's tea, and orange juice.  They also have several yummy holiday lunch choices like corned beef and Irish potato soup.  

Located at 3300 Pennsylvania, Browne's is only a block away from the St. Patrick's Day parade route, so it is a perfect place to start your holiday fun or to grab a bite to eat after the parade.  Even better, on St. Patrick's Day, Browne's is providing a large outdoor heated tent, live Irish music and dancers, bagpipers, a children's Irish village with inflatables, games, vendors and a bar for the crowds that are sure to be in the area. They will also be open expanded hours on Saturday, March 16, and Sunday, March 17.

Opened in 1887, Browne's Irish Marketplace is a Kansas City cultural and historical treasure.  Walk through their doors, and it feels like you have stepped back in time a hundred years (in a charming way).  At its current location since 1901 and still run by the family of the original owners, the worn oak planks on the floor creak as you step inside and try to absorb everything crammed into the store and on its walls (even in the bathroom).

The main room consists of an old-fashioned meat counter, tables and chairs for dining, and shelves of various Irish gifts and packaged foods.  If you decide to pop in at Browne's you will notice many "regulars" occupying seats in the eating area.  That's because their deli has such tasty food - and by the way, their egg salad sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies are delicious.  

Besides the main room, Browne's has expanded so there are now several more rooms stuffed to the rafters with Irish hats, home decor goods, kilts, hoodies, scarves, baby clothing, and so much more for the person who wants or needs anything Irish!

Browne's Irish Marketplace is usually only open through lunch, but once a month, they host "Third Thursday" and offer an Irish dinner, cold beer and live music from 5-9 p.m.  In June, they also host a street fair event.  

Whatever you decide to do for St. Patrick's Day, be safe, have fun, and consider checking out Browne's Irish Marketplace for a fun, tasty and traditional Irish holiday experience.

JJs Restaurant Trying To Pick Up The Pieces

The remains of JJs Restaurant

On February 19, 2013, the entire Kansas City community was shocked and horrified when JJs restaurant, a local dining institution near the Country Club Plaza, was destroyed in a natural gas explosion.  Sadly, more than a dozen people were injured and a JJs employee was killed. 

I visited the site of the former restaurant a few days ago and snapped the photos shown below.  The man in the gray shirt is restaurant owner JJ Frantze.  

My prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Video of JJ's Restaurant Explosion

 

Video of JJs Restaurant Burning After The Explosion