I think the decoration is cute and refreshing – not sterile at all. I love the exposed brick wall and the (slate?) counter. The raised area by the window with the couch and rocking chairs is really nice, but I almost wish there were at least one more couch, so that more than one group of people at a time can have comfy seating.

It’s almost too bright and cheery for such a hipster location, and (today, anyway) I’m unimpressed with the music being pumped in through the overhead speakers.

While I certainly appreciate when people use local roasters, I’m frankly sick of EVERYONE using the Roasterie and Parisi! Yes, they roast some delicious beans, but I don’t mind a little uniqueness. In Chicago Intelligentsia coffee is EVERYWHERE. They have several storefronts and sell their coffee to many independent coffeeshops and restaurants in the Chicagoland area. I frankly got tired of Intelligentsia while I was living in Chicago, but I was so excited to see a little taste of the big city here in KC. I don’t mind at all that they went outside the box and brought in a coffee brand from outside KC. They’re just exposing KC coffee drinkers to something other than Starbucks or what every other shop in town roasts.

So far I say “well done,” but I do wish there were more snack offerings and more creative latte recipes on their menu board.