Drink This Now: Patio sips at Harry’s Country Club

Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern, a new restaurant and bar located at 234 E. Vine St. in Brewers Hill, is set to open its doors on Monday, Dec. 17. The establishment is the culmination of a decade-long dream for husband and wife team Wolfgang and Whitney Schaefer, who envisioned a casual dining spot where a love for food and communal meals could flourish. The restaurant will offer a menu of creative breakfast and lunch dishes, complemented by a selection of cocktails. The journey to opening Uncle Wolfie's began in 2015 when the Schaefers acquired the historic Miller Brewing Company tied house. Their initial focus was transforming the building's second floor into their family residence. Following this, they launched Orange and Blue Co., a home decor boutique featuring a curated blend of vintage and modern goods. The breakfast tavern represents the third and final phase of the property's revitalization, which brings an end to its nearly 40-year vacancy. For the restaurant's design, the Schaefers collaborated with 360 Degrees, a design and build firm known for its work with several city restaurants. Whitney Schaefer highlighted their desire to source many design elements themselves while relying on 360 Degrees for structurally sound components like the bar and tables, and for ensuring functionality and compliance with city regulations. Ryan Foat, project manager at 360 Degrees, described the project as a "from scratch" endeavor, noting the extensive work required to transform the space from a mere root cellar and implement modern hospitality elements, including HVAC systems. The design strategy honored the building's historical identity as a tied house, with the bar serving as the central focal point, designed to appear as if it had always been there. The current bar's footprint mirrors the original. Historical nods are evident throughout, from the light fixtures to a penny tile rug surrounding the bar. Repurposed elements include original hardwood flooring, wainscoting, and tin ceiling tiles meticulously restored by Wolfgang and installed above the bar. Foat emphasized the restaurant's intention to embody the hospitable and comforting atmosphere of old neighborhood establishments. The quartz-topped bar, seating 14, anchors the 40-seat restaurant, which also features banquette-style seating for 26 guests along the east and south walls. The interior boasts an eclectic bohemian aesthetic, with warm yellows and cool grays that complement the Cream City brick walls. A strong connection exists between the restaurant and the adjacent Orange and Blue Co. through decor items from local Milwaukee female artisans. Examples include custom cushions behind the banquettes, fabricated by Vanessa Andrew of Madam Chino using custom fabric and Loom House antique rugs, and hung with leather straps by Jess Goehner of Directive. Espresso mugs by Kim Eckroth of Covet & Ginger and ginger-colored wallpaper from Chasing Paper are also locally sourced, adding texture and a blend of masculine and soft elements to the space. Local artist Whitney Anderson of Wit & Co. contributed various art pieces, including a graphic illustration of Wolfgang's father. The menu at Uncle Wolfie's also blends classic and contemporary. Traditional offerings like Johnny cakes, steak and eggs, and classic eggs Benedict are available alongside innovative creations such as peanut butter and jelly stuffed French toast and a sweet potato chorizo omelet, with prices ranging from $7 to $12. Lunch options include salads, such as a hearty steak salad, and sandwiches. Highlights include a chicken salad, grilled cheese, the "BCSS" with house beet-cured salmon, and the Breaky Burger, an American cheese-stuffed burger topped with Weber’s mustard, raspberry balsamic pickled onions, bacon, and an egg. Lunch items are priced between $9 and $14. The bar will offer bottled and canned beer, a short wine list, and a variety of creative cocktails, from bloody marys to jasmine tea toddies, in addition to full coffee service. The tavern will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. #restaurantOpening #brewersHill #localBusiness #homeDecor #interiorDesign #historicRenovation #breakfast #lunch #cocktailBar

The article highlights two distinct Kansas City establishments, Larks in West Bottoms and Hi Hat Coffee in Westwood Hills, both offering enjoyable outdoor patio experiences. It describes a visit to Larks, a venue that combines a bar, restaurant, and game space, emphasizing its relaxed atmosphere, particularly on its spacious patio. The author details the experience of enjoying $1 wings, fries, and margaritas while playing shuffleboard. The wings, although not as saucy as preferred, were noted for their crispiness and juiciness, served hot. The overall experience at Larks is portrayed as an unhurried, fun afternoon with friends, marked by casual games and good company, benefiting from the airy patio setting that enhances the sense of a "giant living room." Subsequently, the article introduces Hi Hat Coffee, a charming corner coffee shop located on State Line and 50th Terrace. The historical context of the building is provided, noting its transformation from a 1930s Phillips 66 gas station to a barbershop in the 1960s, before becoming a coffee shop in 1998. While the interior is described as suitable for quick service, the outdoor patio is presented as the main draw, encouraging patrons to linger. The patio is depicted as a community hub where people read, socialize, and experience a slower pace of life. The author recounts ordering an iced Raspberry Mint Matcha with oat milk at Hi Hat Coffee, priced at $5.25. The drink is described with sensory details, noting its earthy matcha base, bright and fruity raspberry notes, and a refreshing mint lift, all harmonized by the creaminess of oat milk. It is characterized as layered, interesting, and easy to drink on a warm day, reminiscent of spring or a mocktail, and notably not overly sweet. The longevity and beloved status of Hi Hat Coffee in the neighborhood for over two decades are attributed to its unpretentious charm and its role as a welcoming community space, particularly highlighted by the inviting patio setting. Both locations are presented as ideal spots for a relaxed outing, each offering unique appeals, from Larks' playful environment to Hi Hat Coffee's tranquil community vibe. #DishAndDrinkKC #PatioSeason #WestBottoms #WestwoodHills #LarksKansasCity #HiHatCoffee #Shuffleboard #Matcha #Wings