On Saturday my pal and I hit up Heirloom Bakery & Hearth in the Brookside neighborhood of Kansas City for a quick lunch on the way to the pool. 

1)  Food
She's doing a 21-day Vegan diet, and they had many items that were vegan friendly. It was freaking hot outside, so I wanted to order non-heated foods. The Blueberry Corn Crumble Muffin that I ordered was on point, but then again I've never had a Blueberry Muffin that I didn't like. She ordered the Lentil Patty Melt sans cheese with a cup of Curried Zucchini Kale soup. I tasted her soup Curried Zucchini Kale soup and that was all I needed! I bee-lined back up to the line to order myself a cup too. I'm not vegan and even though it's hotter than Hades outside, it's my new favorite soup. Certainly the soup tastes Indian-inspired but it's not too spicy for my bland and un-evolved palette.   

Lentil Patty Melt sans cheese with a cup of Curried Zucchini Kale soup. 


2)  Atmosphere / Vibe
This reclaimed wood horizontal slats set the mood for this place that tries to appeal to the upscale hipsters of Brookside in Kansas City, MO.  You can find air plants tucked into moss and beach wood.  The dining area gave a laid-back vibe.  

  

Extra points if you can find all of the owls planted throughout the restaurant.  





3)  Service
The cashier was friendly and made sure that while we were making our decision we didn't choose anything with cheese, bacon or biscuits because everything was sold out by the time we arrived at 1:30pm.  I enjoyed that they have a square cashier and that I could opt to send myself a digital receipt, which I did.  I was a little disgusted when providing my digital signature with my finger and there was dried goop stuck to the screen.  When ordering heated foods, someone delivers the food to your table by yelling your name out.  

Those blue eyes though!

While ordering you can see some of the breads being prepared by these women bakers.
... Hang on, I just noticed this.  Is that a noose on the counter??!?   That's weird!

You bus your own tables at Heirloom by returning your trash and dishes on the provided tray to a communal area.  It's very beautiful but not very stream-lined.  You take your dishes to the provided bins in the middle of the room under the counter, but then return to the edge of the room with your paper trash, only to go back to the middle of the room to deposit your tray on the counter.  


4)  Sources
The Heirloom website says that they try to source as many ingredients locally as possible.  The Sour Cream & Onion Dirty Potato Chips that my friend got with her Lentil Patty Melt were from Oxnard, CA and their potatoes are sourced from Bakersfield, CA.  While not local, I give it a slide since both of those cities have special places in my heart and they are "Cholesterol-free. NO MSG. NO preservatives. NO hydrogenated oil."


5)  Drinks
No mixed drinks served at this bakery, but they offered coffee, tea, lemonade, and other bottled beverages.  It was almost 100 degrees outside, so I was craving water.  They had a nice little stand with iced water and glasses for patrons to help themselves.



6)  People
The crowd looked to be all Brookside type of residents from 30 to 65.  And then enters us, the 2 Asian chicks in tucked into the corner donning swim apparel.  :) 


7)  Menu
While Heirloom Bakery, they menu includes breads, breakfast, muffins, biscuits, salad, soups, sandwiches, cookies, and pastries.  Think:  Panera or Cornery Bakery, but more local and more awesome.    


8)  Price
I think that the prices for warm foods are a little high for a this type of atmosphere, but it's definitely worth it for the quality and taste, and it's supporting a local business.  

Blueberry Corn Crumble Muffin - $3.00
Cup of Vegan Curried Zucchini Kale - $5.00
Lentil Patty Melt served with chips OR substitute side salad - $12.00
Tax = 8.35%


9)  Dining
Heirloom is tucked in the corner at 63rd & Oak in the Brookside neighborhood of Kansas City.  The location was very accessible and I enjoy that it's not in the core of the shops of Brookside.  We came at a off-peak time, at 1:30pm on a Saturday afternoon.  There was 1 parking space left.  I noticed some cars parked on Oak and imagine that is where overflow parking would go.  During peak times, I can see that parking would be problem



NET:
Would I return?  Yes
Would I recommend to others?  Absolutely
Best food ordered:  Curried Zucchini Kale Soup
  
While we're both fans of the taste of the food, but her favorite part is that number of vegan choices and my favorite part is that they try to source ingredients locally. I'll definitely be back soon!