Hemma Hemma is a fairly recent addition to the Waldo scene. On Wornall, just off of Gregory, it’s a bright, airy space with a coffee bar, a grab-and-go selection, and a hot food menu for if you want to have a sit-down meal and catch up with a friend or get some work done.

They carry Chingu coffee—another new addition to KC and an excellent local roaster. I’m an unabashed coffee snob, so I’m always thrilled to find a spot that has good, local coffee. I haven’t gone for many meals there (yet—it’s definitely going into my rotation), but what I’ve had has been fresh, fun, and filling, if a bit on the pricey side for a breakfast or lunch. Still, you’re not just paying for your food; Hemma Hemma is a place designed for lingering. You order at the counter and take a number and once you’ve gotten your food you’re left to your own devices. You can take your time over your meal, grab your own utensils and water refills, and bus your own dishes so you never feel rushed out the door or like you’re inconveniencing the staff. It’s courteous to not take up a spot for too long after you’re done during peak hours to make sure it doesn’t turn into standing room only. Between the shaded patio, the long expanse of the dining area, and “the den” downstairs, though, you shouldn’t ever feel rushed out.

I’m also intrigued by their cooking classes; I haven’t attended one, but they’ve got a workspace in the back that looks perfect for making a mess—I mean a meal. One of their classes would make a great date night (date day? I’m not sure what time they usually host them), and it’d be worth the price of admission just to learn how to make the carrot ginger dressing they serve with their salmon wrap. Seriously, I would eat that stuff with a spoon.