As the new decade opens, so does an enhanced kosher dining option in Kansas City. Rachel’s Café at Village Shalom reopened to the public January 4 with a new look and a wider array of menu offerings than ever before.

The café has resided within Village Shalom’s Helzberg Campus for Jewish Living since the retirement community opened, and continues to be among just a handful of kosher restaurants in the greater Kansas City community. It was recently “refreshed” with new furnishings, fresh paint, a new logo and signage, and expanded lunchtime fare.

Rachel’s Café has a new logo and signage.

“It’s a whole new menu, and we have reduced prices,” said Sharon Lab, Director of Dining Services for Village Shalom. Lab oversees the Rachel’s Café operation as well as food service to Village Shalom’s more than 200 residents.

“Variety” is Lab’s word of choice in describing the new menu. “We have two kinds of pizza each day, two kinds of salad, two soups every day, sandwich choices, and wider selection of desserts. We also have daily Rachel’s Specials that are mostly comfort foods.” She emphasized that there are “grab-and-go” items as well as made-to-order meals to satisfy every diner’s tastes and time frame.

Rachel’s Café offers a selection of salads, sandwiches and desserts, as well as pizza and hot daily specials.

Rachel’s Café is certified kosher, as it has been since its inception, by the Vaad HaKashruth of Greater Kansas City. The café was opened and dedicated in July 2000 in memory of Rachel and Isadore Polsky, and Rose and Abe Broudy, the parents of Kansas City philanthropists Norman and Elaine Polsky. Norman’s mother is the café’s namesake, and photos of her and other family members adorn the walls.

Enhancing the Rachel’s Café “make-over” are comfortable new furnishings including dining tables, chairs, and a sofa and end tables reminiscent of an upscale coffee shop.

Rosalie Kars (left) and Marian Berkowitz enjoy a soft drink and the new Rachel’s Café ambiance. A photo of Rachel Polsky, the café’s namesake, hangs on the wall behind them.

Lab said that patrons were pleased on opening day by the new dining offerings and atmosphere. “The response has been great so far. We want this to be a place the public seeks out not only as a lunch spot, but as a gathering place. The more people who come, the more we will be able to expand our services for them.”

Rachel’s Café is located at 5500 W. 123^rd St. in Overland Park. Hours are 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 913-266-8422.