Story
The Village Shops,3931 W 69th Ter, Prairie Village, KS, 66208
Story Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Prairie Village for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Prairie Village for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Prairie Village for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
The Village Shops,3931 W 69th Ter
Prairie Village, KS, 66208 - Phone (913) 236-9955
- Website https://www.storykc.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
- Mon :Closed
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Michael B.
Phenomenal experience! Recommended by our wine store,this was a great overall experience. Great wine, great food and great service. Best birthday dinner ever!
(5)Steve A.
If I could give this place ZERO stars, based upon the terrible experience we had there on the evening of October 4th, I would. I waited a couple weeks to write this review, because I wanted to make sure that I was not writing my review in the aftermath of the absolute WORST OVERALL DINING EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. We had made reservations via Open Table...and when we walked in for our first ever visit to Story, we were impressed with the neat, clean, modern decor, and a bustling environment of a nearly full restaurant. We were greeted by our waiter and placed our cocktail orders. My son ordered a "very dry" Martini with Tito's Vodka. When our drinks were delivered, we began to enjoy them but found that our son's drink had a very heavy pour of vermouth (a "very dry" Martini is supposed to have, at most, a misting of vermouth on the glass). We called for our waiter and explained the problem to him....that is when the downward spiral of the evening began. Our waiter told us that the drink did not have any vermouth, and that he was certain of that "fact". I tasted the drink, and it did indeed have vermouth, a very large amount of vermouth. (At the risk of sounding like a lush...I have had many, many Martini's in my lifetime, and I know how one is supposed to taste.) While the waiter was still standing there, my wife said "Let me taste...I will know if it has vermouth"....and, before she could take a sip, the waiter walked off...... Now, that upset me pretty badly...the drink was substandard, and our waiter showed no interest in making things right. We talked at our table how flabbergasted we were at our waiters total lack of concern, and even somewhat argumentative attitude. After discussion, we decided to call him over again, and insist that the drink be remade. We did so, and the waiter still insisted it could not have any vermouth in the drink...my wife asked him if he would bet his life on it...and reluctantly, he finally agreed to take it back to the bar and have it remade. This is where it gets surreal: A few seconds after our waiter left with the drink, the bartender saunters up to our table, with the same drink in his hand and tells us that it doesn't have any vermouth and when we insist that is DOES have vermouth, he tells us that, "well, then we are just going to have to agree to disagree", and leaves the same, poorly made drink at the table and walks off!!!!! So, I ask our waiter to send over the manager. When the manager comes over we tell him about the argumentative bartender...and, the manager defends the bartender, saying that "the bartender is just trying to defend his skills at making drinks". After much arm twisting of even the manager, the manager finally agrees to take back the poorly made drink, and says that he, the manager, will make a replacement drink. When he returns to the table, he finally brought a Martini that was actually made "very dry". I could not believe that the entire staff was willing to turn our experience so sour over an $11 drink. It would have been so much better if they had just taken the attitude that "the customer is always right" and remade the drink when we first told them about it being improperly prepared. That being said, three of us at the table had the Short Rib meal. The other person at our table had a "vegetarian dish" specially prepared by the Chef. The short rib was good, but not more so than at several other restaurants in town, but, the gnocchi that accompanied the meal was poorly prepared being the consistency of chewing gum. Our vegetarian of the group thought that the meal served to them was just "so-so". As others have stated, the portions are small, and the prices are high....given that the meal prices are so high, and the portions and quality so small....not to mention, at least in our case, that the level of "service" is so dismally POOR, I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(1)Amy C.
I was so excited to find out my husband was taking me to Story for our anniversary. I'd wanted to try it for ages, especially since the chef has received so much interest from the James Beard foundation and Food & Wine magazine. The décor is simple and subdued - the walls, curtains and wall hangings are white with dark wood floors. An interesting circular ceiling design flanks the bar and adds texture and warmth to an otherwise simply dressed room. Our server was attentive. He was that perfect combination of being helpful but not intrusive - he was quick without rushing us through our meal. When choosing between two main course meals I did ask him for a recommendation and he was a little hesitant to endorse one dish over the other. My husband and I each choose a cold starter - he went with the Caeser salad and I with the beets. Both were absolutely delicious. The beets came with smoked walleye, stracciatella cheese, capers, apples and dill-mustard vinaigrette. The dish was absolutely perfectly balanced - I think I will dream about it. I ate every last bite. Tips on Yelp led us to try the smoked duck empanadas and we were not disappointed. I have never wanted to lick a plate before, but if it were socially acceptable I would have done it here. I was actually sad when we finished this dish because I could've gorged myself on these alone. For my main course I ordered the lamb crepinette. This was served with roasted asparagus, cauliflower couscous and lamb jus. It was absolutely delicious - the lamb was so tender it could be cut with a fork. The cauliflower was pretty subdued. My husband had the sturgeon served with mushroom risotto, cauliflower and pancetta. After he finished his meal he used the bread at the table to sop up the remaining bits of sauce and goodies left on his plate. For dessert I ordered the lemon bar and he had the donuts. Now, I want to be all high-brow and say that donuts have no place on a menu like this, but O.M.G. they were absolutely elevated and delicious beyond belief. They were little puffs of doughy heaven glazed with angel tears. Who knew donuts could taste like this? The lemon bar was good, btw, but the donuts will forever be a part of my heart. Overall I would say this has been my best dining experience in a very long time. Service was impeccable. Atmosphere was subdued and let the food shine as the star of the show. The food was out of this world. We have been to some of Kansas City's best restaurants and for food, service and value I would put this at the top of the list - we spent half of what I assumed we would, and we each had cocktails and wine. Will I go back? As soon as possible.
(5)Betsy H.
Thank you, Yelp for helping me find this wonderful place. Amazing service with incredibly prepared food that doesn't have to try hard to be excellent. Amazing pear salad and beet salad, and the foie gras was perfect and a great serving size. My husband's steak was very flavorful.
(5)Mark L.
Delicious food. Perfect service. Great first experience. Will definitely be back.
(5)Kirun M.
I'm so happy Bristol didn't have a reservation for 5 available through Open Table last Sunday, because otherwise we may have never made it to Story! I didn't know what to expect when showing up for brunch. Firstly, I had never been to the Village Shops area...I must go back. And, secondly, I never would have expected such an amazing, beautiful restaurant there. It truly is a neighborhood gem. I loved how contemporary and clean everything looked. The service was pretty good too, given that it was Father's Day at prime lunch hour (12:15). We ordered coffee to start- small cups that aren't filled all the way up...room for cream, I guess? Had to wait a few minutes longer than I would have liked for a second helping. One of my friends ordered the grapefruit bellini (I should have had a sip because that kind of thing is right up my alley- next time for sure). It was a little pulpy and tart for her, but I'm sure grapefruit enthusiasts would appreciate. My bloody mary was not worth ordering again...So, I guess beverages at Story aren't as amazing as the food, but that's okay...the food makes up for it. Portions are a little small at Story, but if you get an appetizer or dessert, you'll be fine. We ordered two rounds of the cinnamon donuts to start. Amazing. They were like light churros in a donut shape. I regret taking one of the smaller ones, which I only did because I loathe donuts...um, not. any. more. They also served some great fresh bread with sea salt butter. I didn't think bread could be so light and delicious. I'm glad I held back and only had one piece. I was deciding between the smoked duck empanadas or the sauteed shrimp. Per the recommendation of the waitress, I went with the duck empanadas. I LOVED them. They come with crispy poached eggs, which I forgot and mistook for a hash brown when I cut into it. I must admit I was overjoyed to see eggs served crispy like that with runny yolks. So awesome. And, then the empanadas were great. Lightly smoked meat complimented the egg and the jicama slaw well...along with the avocado and black beans. Everything was delicious. My friends got: quiche, french toast, blueberry pancakes and the burger. Everyone loved their meals. I can't wait to check this place out for dinner or happy hour.
(5)Bethanie W.
Two words: Absolutely wonderful. This was my forth and last restaurant in my otherwise disappointing KC Restaurant Week extravaganza and was the perfect finale. Story totally redeemed butternut squash soup for me. I had denied the taste from my dining partner multiple times before giving in and I am glad I did. It was delicious! We both had the pork shoulder which deemed the steak knife useless as the meat just fell apart at the touch and was paired perfectly with a potato gnocchi. I am a dessert lover but usually hesitate as the portions leave me completely useless in my food coma for the rest of the night but the prix fixe meal included a dessert so I obliged. The doughnut holes were fantastic and the perfect portion to satisfy my sweet tooth. For the sweet and the fruity lover two drizzles of each surrounded the little "balls of joy" so each palette was satisfied. I had a signature cocktail which was the tamarind cocktail and was quite tasty, but also kind of expensive for the size ($9) so I only had one. It was a great combination of flavors I would have never thought would be good together. I will definitely go back and recommend you try this place out!
(5)Kim P.
I met a friend here for lunch and sat outside. It was nice. The food was good. We tried the ceviche and it was good.
(3)Tom G.
This restaurant is fairly close to our north Leawood home, but neither my wife nor I had heard of it until reading about it on Yelp last week - the reviews were very compelling. The Story interior is very stylishly decorated and we were greeted by two nice, friendly staff when we arrived for an early Friday dinner (the place was fairly empty at 6:45, but was packed by the time we left), and checked my wife's coat. Our waiter was knowledgeable, very attentive and polite. We each had a glass of the house Chardonnay and shared a Caeser's salad before our entrees arrived. She had the flounder and I the braised short rib, and both were excellent if not substantial. As we picked up her coat and left, the owner/chef's wife introduced herself and thanked us. Based on first experience, I'll give them five stars for ambience, staff, service and menu, but I have to take one back overall for value (it didn't seem like a hundred-dollar meal). I will go back and give them another chance, maybe on a Thursday when their entire menu is half price.
(4)Ford K.
Once again friends and I ventured to Story on a Saturday night. Once again we received outstanding service, spectacular food, and inviting atmosphere. Our server read our table perfectly, never felt intrusive but yet very attentive. The plating of the food was artistic, and the flavors were magnificently mouthwatering. There is a reason this place is getting so many great reviews. You must go and check it out.
(5)Abby K.
LOVE the ambiance. Really cute and quaint feel in prairie village. They Aldo had some great apps (coops, butternut squash bisque, lobster risotto) but we were a bit disappointed with dinner 3 of us got the lamb and each was overbooked. The rockfish had a good taste but wasn't very memorable. The best the was the short ribs - they were flovorful and very tender. I wanted to like this place nut because of my dissapointment with dinner I can't give it hight than a 3.
(3)E F.
Nice decor, great ambience. That's about it. Food, however, was below average. Duck empanada had absolutely no duck flavor at all, not to mention the extremely small portions. Likewise the lamb pasta lacked any lamb flavor. The actual meat used is questionable. It tasted more like ground beef. Portions were extremely small. Fried doughnuts for dessert was literally something I could've purchased at the supermarket for a fraction of the price. I would take dunkin donuts over this any day. Will not recommend. And definitely will not come back. I don't understand where the 5 star reviews are coming from.
(1)Felicia S.
The best restaurant in Kansas City! Do not let the fact that it is at the Prairie Village shops deter you (plenty of free and convenient parking). The ambiance is very New York and the staff is attentive without the attitude. The star of the show is the wonderful, tasty and inventive food created by chef Carl Thorne-Thomasen. Not to be missed is the Sunday brunch menu, the best French toast on the planet! Also the hang steak and eggs, delicious!
(5)Jessi B.
My husband had planned to take me to another new restaurant for my birthday, but when the bad reviews starting pouring in he decided to bring me to Story instead. I'm so glad he did! Now that we've discovered the amazing cuisine here, Story is in our top favorite restaurants of Kansas City. I was a bit skeptical at first. When we arrived, there was no one at the host's stand and we had to wait a moment before someone realized there were guests waiting. It was a chilly December night (one of the colder ones this year) so we were both wearing wool coats. No one offered to take our coats and I didn't see anywhere to store them, so we were forced to sit with our coats at the table, which was a bit awkward given the booth-opposite-chair style seating. Rest assured, these were the only negative points of the entire evening. The modern monochrome interior made me want to don a sleek, little black cocktail dress and grab a martini, shaken not stirred. There is also a good-sized patio that looks like a great place to chill during the warmer months with said martini or a glass of wine from their unique and carefully chosen selection. Our server was wonderful - diligent and friendly without being stuffy or overly-attentive as is often found in these types of restaurants. She was not as knowledgeable about the food as I would expect here, but she knew what tasted good and made excellent recommendations. For the appetizer, we started with a ceviche that was bright, fresh and piquant. WOW. I could have eaten this all night. The fried carrots on top added a nice, delicate crunch to the texture. We were also served fresh bread and butter. The bread was some of the best bread I've had in Kansas City - a hard, crunchy crust enveloped a soft, airy inside akin to a French cruller. The server attributed this to the 200-year-old Italian yeast strain the chef cultivates himself. For our entrees, I ordered the pork tenderloin and my husband got the lamb "crepinette". The pork tenderloin was a generous portion of perfectly-cooked pork on a bed of buttery barley risotto and garnished with bites of apple, carrot and huckleberries. Simple and savory. The lamb crepinette is, according to the server, a very popular item that has survived several menu changes. The chef roasts a leg of lamb and removes the meat from the bone, wrapping the small medallions in a thin layer of lamb sausage. I expected the spices in the sausage to overpower the subtle lamb flavors, but the chef prepared a mild sausage that allowed all the flavors to shine through deliciously. There were so many tantalizing options for dessert, but I'm a chocoholic so we shared the Young's Double Chocolate Stout brownie served warm with chocolate malt ice cream, fresh whipped cream and marshmallows. HOLY COW. Forget ambrosia, THIS is the food of the Gods! I was tempted to steal it away from my husband and tell him to get his own. Lucky for us, my birthday was on a Thursday this year so we happened to be there for Story's Happy Hour. Half-priced entrees and drinks specials are available from 4:30 to 6:30 every Thursday night. Most entrees run $25-30, so this is a great deal considering the quality of the food and portions. The drink specials were presented on a small menu featuring around 6 or 7 beers, wines and cocktails ranging around $4-7 each.
(5)Kayla M.
My first visit to Story was a brunch the first Sunday in January, which might explain why the restaurant was so sparse. Their brunch menu really leaned more towards the lunch side with fried chicken, salads, and steak. I instantly felt like I had to order the duck empanadas with crispy poached eggs. The eggs are poached, covered in a batter and then fried. The dish really was delicious and unique. I devoured it and rejoiced at the thought of eating my beloved eggs in a new and exciting way, it really worked for this dish. When my boyfriend asked for a side of whole wheat toast, we were told that the chef makes his own bread in house, and while it wasn't toasted, it was some of the best bread I have ever tasted. Speaking of my boyfriend, he was the only male in a small crowd of about 10 other diners. I decided not to point this out to him, guys never like to feel like they are too outnumbered. He also ordered the empanadas and enjoyed them just as much as I did. He was a little disappointed at the quality of his americano, but this is a man who orders his coffee beans from San Francisco and realizes it is very difficult to meet his expectations. I'm not sure that I would brunch here again, but I would like to return to see the chef's take on dinner.
(4)Michael E.
Very beautiful and classy place to eat. quite and the food was excellent. If you looking to have a fancy chief made dinner date ect this place works great.
(5)Dev V.
Prairie Village is definitely going through a cool, hip, uprising when it comes to new culinary experiences. The newest addition, Story, is a great fit. We stopped in after cruising the PV Art Fair this past weekend. The layout and decor is really different, in a good, modern way. Our server was awesome. She was attentive, fun, positive, and made you feel welcome. The soft shell crab appetizer was awesome, as was the octopus. Just the right portions, and the preparation was flawless. Our table ordered one of their signature Manhattan's, a strawberry martini, and a pineapple mojito. The mojito was very refreshing on this hot evening. I took a look at the wine list and was impressed. If you read any of my reviews, I'm kind of a stickler when it comes to wine and the variety a list offers. Theirs is focused on small vintages, a refreshing sight. I'm sure the owner and the GM, Sloan (formerly of Le Fou Frog), did a lot of research in preparing this list. We didn't stay for dinner, but will definitely be back!
(5)Michelle B.
The best restaurant in KC! Ordered the Halibut and texture was incredible. Crisp on the outside but not overdone on the inside. And I would say the same of the flavor. Perfect! I'm still a bit upset with my husband for rushing us out without dessert! They looked and sounded awesome. He will just have to take me again...
(5)Joel S.
I tend to moderate my comments upon my second visit to places - there's definitely something to experiencing something for the first time. And when that experience is as wonderful as my first trip to Story, it's a hard act to follow. However, this place appears to have a major consistency problem, and while I'll be somewhat forgiving when such sins are committed by a $1 taco joint or a hole-in-the-wall BBQ restaurant, it won't fly here. Story brands themselves as a white tablecloth fine dining establishment and while the prices are affordable for a special occasion meal, they aren't exactly cheap either. In such a place, amateur mistakes such as charring both orders of French toast and my breakfast sausage are not forgivable. They were not busy at all, so we can't blame it on an overworked cook. If this had been my first visit, I probably would have been impressed by the menu's creativity, but I probably would have had issues with the execution either way. I need to institute a new rule: never review a place on Yelp until I have made at least two trips.
(2)Stephanie L.
It's a very nice setting with table cloths and candles. The lighting fixtures makes the ambience feel cool and easy-going, even though they have all the right place settings for it to be a formal dinner. The only thing is that the way the place was built makes sound echos loudly, so it does get noisy, especially when more ladies stroll in later in the night. Entree portion sizes are small, so be sure to order appetizer or dessert. There place is located in a place that is not well trafficked so, you can actually sit at the outdoor patio and not bear the smell of exhaust fumes. ;)
(4)Rob M.
Story is a bright, modern, stylish restaurant that recently opened in the middle of the Prairie Village Shops, just across the way from Café Provence and right by Better Cheddar. The decor is somewhat stark, basically in white and black. Perfect, though, on a blazing day like today! We were celebrating my mother's birthday and feeling somewhat adventurous. My folks are older and not very "big" eaters anymore, and Story's menu, with its selection of cold and hot appetizers/starters was ideal for them! They split the Caesar salad and followed up with individual orders of the duck empanadas and the seafood risotto. Everything was the perfect size and they were delighted with the food and preparation. My sister ordered the foie gras terrine, which she enjoyed, although she was a bit surprised to find it somewhat sweet (flavored with orange, perhaps?). I started with the carpaccio involtini -- a thin slice of beef wrapped around a summery salad made of very tiny diced potatoes. It was delicious, but small -- two on the plate would have been more satisfying than just the one that was presented. I followed up with the red snapper, which was a simple but perfectly cooked portion served atop a small bed of spinach and mashed potatoes. The snapper was beautifully golden and crisp on the outside, and moist and tender on the inside. To accompany all this I had a glass of the torrontés, a white Argentine wine that's starting to become known in the U.S. I've had it in Argentina, but this label (Filus) was the best I've tasted -- very light, fruity and refreshing. A perfect summer wine! We finished up splitting orders of the chocolate vol-au-vent with raspberries and the German chocolate cake. The base of the vol-au-vent was a bit tough and hard to cut, to be honest -- maybe the heat and humidity affected it? The German chocolate cake was a big hit. It doesn't look at all like the traditional version, but offers up all the delicious flavors of the original. Service was informed and attentive. There was a bit of a gap between courses, but, of course, everything is being made to order. Water and my Dad's coffee were constantly replenished, and the house-made French bread is delicious. All in all, Story is a delightful addition to the city's dining scene. I know we'll be back!
(5)Julie P.
I went to Story with my boyfriend, my dad and my stepmother for my birthday on a Monday night and was very pleased with my choice. The decor is modern but comfortable and welcoming with a unique layout and interesting architectural design. The patio was large and covered which would be great for a warm summer, spring or fall day but too hot for us that day. We started with cocktails, my stepmom and I got the Light and Stormy made with ginger vodka which was delicious. My dad and bf got the Pineapple Mojito which was also tasty. Their specialty cocktail list is short but unique. They also have a nice wine list. I got a Sauvignon Blanc by the glass. For appetizers we had the Carpaccio Involtini which was really different but awesome. It had the thinly sliced raw beef wrapped up like a cigar with some sort of potato salad inside. It was small and I would have liked more of it because it was good. We also had the Cheese Ravioli which was very reminiscent of the ravioli and sauces from the chef's background at Michael Smith. It was good, but not my favorite part. Entrees - I got the Braised Beef Short Ribs (advertised on the website as Beef Cheek) with gnocchi, carrots and fava beans. I was rich and very tasty. A well portioned dish, but one that I couldn't finish. Bonus for my bf. He got the lamb and said it was awesome. My dad got a double order of the soft shell crab appetizer and loved it while my stepmom got the halibut. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. Dessert - my dad and I both got the doughnuts. The passion fruit syrup and vanilla pasty cream were awesome. We loved our desserts. And they wrote Happy Birthday on my plate! My boyfriend got the German Chocolate Cake which was divine and my stepmom got the baba au rhum thinking it was just strawberries but it was more or a heavy cake with strawberries on top. I love berries, but this was not my favorite. The service was accommodating, not fast, but not overly slow. He didn't make mistakes and let us take our time. He gave good recommendations but didn't hover. Overall, very good experience, I would definitely go back to this little gem. Wonderful for special occasions.
(4)Mary N.
Absolutely perfect dining experience: Lovely, casually elegant atmosphere... fantastic, helpful, well-trained servers... spectacular, right-sized menu that has variety but isn't huge and overwhelming... what comes out of the kitchen is beautiful and utterly delicious--THE most fabulous salmon I've had anywhere. This is the type of comfortable yet sophisticated dining experience you'd expect to find in Paris or San Francisco--best restaurant in KC.
(5)Marti O.
First visit to Story was for Easter brunch. I'd done my homework so I could make recommendations to my family. One ordered the smoked duck empanadas which he liked, though the serving wasn't enough for a hungry guy. Luckily another ordered the fried chicken which was equivalent to about 3 large crispy chicken fingers - too much for her small appetite so she could share. She also shared her side of hash browns which she said were delicious. I got the lobster hash with poached eggs & peas (the online menu said it came with cauliflower but I understand seasonal substitutions). The hash reminded me of a crab cake & the perfectly cooked eggs oozed over it deliciously. I did ask for bread to sop up the eggy goodness & the waiter promptly brought out a couple pieces of bread & luscious butter with sea salt sprinkled on top. It was a delicious meal, service was adequate, though we were never offered refills of water. Our tab before tip was $50 - very reasonable. The hard surfaces do allow diners to hear conversations at other tables, but after a few minutes, I didn't even notice. My family said they'd be back for sure - success! We'll be back for the Sunday night special dinner.
(5)Andrew S.
Great restaurant, especially for dates. We just stayed with small plates and some wine and it was delish. The foie gras especially is a must try, as was the pork belly. The squash soup was nice, but nothing to write home about. Wine list had good breadth, with some good vintages. I would say a fantastic place overall.
(4)Joe H.
A tasteful treasure in the pocket of Prairie Village! A modern take on the neighborhood local eatery. Upscale and refined, this place has what it takes to impress the significant other or a business partner/client. Terrific menu selection showcasing locally sourced ingredients, well crafted dishes and bright new twists to familiar options. The attitude of the staff and service is way above par with many instances of tailored recommendations to help the diner take advantage of seasonal and fleeting specialties. A well stocked (if not too deep) bar with a knowledgeable barkeep that will do what it takes to stoke the embers of your inner fire(water) needs.
(5)Angela H.
We will definitely return to Story! This was one of the best meals we've enjoyed in KC. The wine list is a bit overpriced, but we forgave them when the food arrived. Even the bread was top quality and delicious. We started with the roasted beet salad and the duck empanadas. Loved the mustardy salad dressing with a touch of pomegranate. The empanadas were notable for the flaky, tender crust that only lard can create. Totally worth the fat grams! John had the walleye as main course and loved it. Up to now, his experience of seafood in KC was not great. I ordered two of the small plates- risotto with baby kale, pine nuts and lobster plus sautéed shrimp in butternut squash purée. Both were amazingly good, especially for the $11-12 price. We ended our meal with the cheese selection, another outstanding value for the quality and quantity vs price. The sheep's milk cheese was to die for! Story has an excellent selection of dessert wines. We enjoyed a Madeira and a Muscat that were both excellent and well-priced. I enjoyed mine so much that my husband started singing "Muscat Love". After all the wine, I found that hilarious. Service was attentive and friendly. Story is definitely a new favorite for us.
(5)No A.
It was phenomenal. Go there. Yay.
(5)Lea K.
I like Story. I found the menu eclectic and delightful. I found the atmosphere superior! It was fancy and upscale. It made me feel like I was someplace exceptional. I ordered the lunch price fix menu. They accommodated my special request. I don't eat meat and they didn't offer a meatless option on the price fix menu. I appreciated that. I started with the field green salad. Though it was a simple mix of greens (it would benefit from some fresh tomatoes or artichoke) it had a wonderful flavor. The dressing was delightful worth trying again. For my entrée I had the frommage blanc ravioli. It was so good. The sauce had a wonderful medley of ingredients that played well together. My only issue is that it wasn't filling. If I had not ordered the salad and had a desert it would not have been enough. For dessert I had the lemon bar which was so good I am going to go back and get it again. My friend had the fried doughnut holes. I don't know how a place that does so many things right can mess up doughnut holes... but they did. They were way too salty. They also had a strange texture. They weren't nice and dough-ey like you would expect doughnut holes to be they were more 'hard'. The whole thing wasn't working. The service was not very good... It was just awkward. She wasn't personable nor did she seem like she knew the answer to a lot of my questions. I will be back though, overall this place is worth visiting!
(4)darth g.
Let me start by saying, if you've ever wondered what the interior of a vacuum feels like, then story should be a place to visit. The exterior fenestration and environmental graphics (or lack thereof) should have tipped-me-off ; to an obvious flaw via the new Village developer's design criteria. In three words; Cold and Corporate. It's only fitting that a Jos A Bank was planned right next door. My visit included light apps and drinks. Initially, i figured 2.5 stars. Thanks to the fabulous duck empanadas, i was able to roundup. The fried meatballs were overcooked and the wine list could be a little more inspiring. The interior lacks any sense of inventiveness. If "clean + modern" was the driving factor in the schematic phase, then it failed to help solidify the overall aesthetic. And I get it; the people will create the aesthetic and the food the "story". But i didn't get that obvious abstract upon my visit. Serving staff apparel cold also use some sort of personality. I don't know, maybe they need a bit-o-flair on their kits. I felt like i was in a Balkan play; as though I was bothering them for entering their inside joke. Overall, it was a "meh" for me. I will (repeat will) visit again to try the full dinner menu. So stay tuned; the second act to this performance my have me applauding for more. PS - the parking in PV is first rate!
(3)ILoveyou L.
Pretty solid seasonal food. Ive eaten there twice, and both times for the most part have been pretty pleasant. The last time i was there, i had the fried chicken thighs with pancetta gravy, which is wonderful, I mean who could not like that. I had an arugula salad, which was typical but good none the less. I was going to get dessert, but it took our server wayyyy to long to check on us. It was on a sunday around 2:30 so there were only about 3 tables occupied. After finishing our last course, our table was cleared and our server did not return for about 20 min. Since we were next to the kitchen i could hear the service staff doing side work and talking, but no one checked to see if we wanted dessert or coffee to end a good meal. So by the time they checked on us we were ready to leave. Other than that, story is a nice place, with some really good food.
(3)Jason R.
What a story...brum, bum-pt, I'll be here all night folks... My wife and I stopped in here on a Monday night and found this place to be a great addition to the KC restaurant scene. We started off with cocktails (of course), Manhattan using rhubarb in lieu of traditional bitters and the Light & Stormy. The Light & Stormy is dangerously good on a hot summers night and the clear winner of the two. Anyway, from there we went to the Smoked Duck Empanadas which were delicious. Braised short ribs (they were out of cheeks - forgivable it was a Monday) and the roasted strip steak with short rib croquetts (think short rib poppers) finished off our main meals. Both were great but the strip steak and short rib poppers stole the show. We finished with a trip down the dessert isle ordering the doughnuts and the German chocolate cake (Caloric suicide, yes. Loser in the deal, no). German chocolate is the way to go. It's a new twist on the one Mom used to make. The wine list was surprisingly extensive with great price points. A great server and a visit by Susan the co-owner topped off a superb evening.
(4)Ron R.
Story is a very fine restaurant, good and dynamic menu, excellent wait staff. It is a great addition to my neighborhood.
(5)Mad C.
This restaurant is very close to my home and I'm grateful it opened up in the Prairie Village Shops as there isn't another restaurant I'd spend money at, besides Minsky's, located there. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is that on a couple of occasions there were inconsistencies in food quality and service, but nothing major. I have been there six times and believe me, what I'm talking about was no big deal. After my last visit, the lame servers are no longer around, anyway. This place has just opened, so I'd take the two poor reviews posted by nightmare customers with a grain of salt. If there is something wrong with your food that is easily remedied, give the place a chance to make it right. The plated brunch is fantastic and their desserts are really outstanding, especially the German chocolate cake. I love their caesar salad so much, I think I'll order it takeout when I do Minsky's just to have some vegetable matter. The creamy dressing is made from pureed tuna amongst other things and is truly delish. Their wines by the glass selections are excellent. I'm looking forward to trying the Sunday night dinner special they just started and the afternoon happy hour menu. Disregard the detractors. They know not of what they speak.
(5)Chris S.
Wow!! This place is way too New York for Kansas City!! 2nd time dining here this week.. Fantastic prix fixe menu! Prices are stunningly low, but the food and service is above and beyond most of KC's finest.. Great ceviche! Duck empenadas! Homemade doughnuts for desert!! Creamy risotto! Yum yum!! U must dine here!
(5)Jennifer C.
We visited Story to celebrate a late Valentine's Day. So many things on the menu intrigued me, and it was hard to choose! I almost just made a meal out of yummy-sounding starters. The cauliflower soup was delicious, as was the beef carpaccio. My boyfriend got the pork chop, which was awesome. I was trying to be healthy and got the steelhead trout, and ended up wishing I had indulged more and ordered something different. The atmosphere was lovely, though the tables were a little close together. Our server was just attentive enough and very helpful. I would definitely return!
(4)Amy R.
Great brunch spot! My only possible complaint is that the two tops along the banquette are close. There were two women bitching incessantly about work two tables down, and I understood every syllable out of their loud mouths. Unfortunate. BUT, the food and the service made up for that little issue, which ultimately isn't the restaurant's problem. I mean, there are rude people everywhere. Great fried chicken, fantastic frittata loaded with morels and peeled asparagus, perfectly cooked tender and toothsome. I mean, nobody in KC goes to the trouble to peel asparagus! Nobody but story! This kitchen cares, and it shows in the details. You're lucky if they snap off the tough ends at many places. Attentive, pleasant server. Noticed the good wine list for future visits. Can't wait for dinner! Highly rec'd.
(5)Dawn F.
What a gem this little place is! You don't typically find food this good in KC. It is unbelievably deletable!! We have been there a handful of times, and it has been fantastic every time. If you are looking for a unique dining experience, you have found it.
(5)Jennifer R.
This was the frist time I've been to this restaurant, and I went for lunch during Restaurant week. The decor is clean and elegant. I hadn't realized before entering that it was fine dining experience for lunch (sure am glad I had showered after yoga before going for food!) As it was lunch, it wasn't terribly busy but if it was crowded at dinner, I know some diners that might not be as comfortable with the closely placed tables. I, as a single diner, enjoyed it as I was able to eavesdrop on the conversations around me, which provided great entertainment! The food was delicious: an arugula salad with blue cheese, pears, nuts (a classic combincation that always tastes wonderful). It was lightly dressed and perfectly seasoned. Their housemade bread was crusty and chewy, a well made loaf. I then had the arctic char, served on a bed of brussel sprouts/bacon/wild rice. The char had a lovely crisp crust from a nicely done sear and was seasoned perfectly. It was delicious! Service was attentive and fast. I can't really say anything bad about my experience, but I am holding off on a fifth star until visiting more than one time. Oh, I do second another reviewers note that portions are not terribly large. I was completely full afterwards (and had come from the gym, so I had a fairly good appetite), but if you're into size over quality, you might be a little dissapointed.
(4)David S.
We enjoyed a late lunch here today. The house-made sourdough is worth a trip. Bread too often seems to be considered a throw-away (which is what it usually merits in those cases). Not here. The Chef clearly pays attention. Both the Caesar and the smoked duck empanadas were very good and the server was informed and attentive. The design of the space is clean and pleasant. We will go back for dinner sometime.
(4)Heather R.
I live walking distance from this resturant so I was anxious to try it with a local group of mom's I have a monthly dinner with. The most positive part of the experience was that they seems capable of handling our large group. It was a Wednesday night at 7pm and their patio was empty. My group had 8 women all in our late 30's - early 40's and not a single one of us was impressed with our food. Two ladies ordere the caesar salad which would have been more aptly named "pile of lettuce with drizzle of dressing". For $9 you expect a salad to have croutons, olives, etc. This had nothing. We could have walked next door to Hen House and gotten a bag mix of caesar salad and done better! My Strawberri martini was totally unremarkable. Not bad but could have used a garnish of an actual strawberry for $11. I did hear the who women who ordered the pineapple mojito say it was very good. For my entree I got the white fish on bed of mashed potatoes and spinich. It was tasty but so small I joked I had been given the children's serving. All total with tip, tax, etc my one martini and entree were $42. I immediately went home and ate leftovers from my families dinner. I was quite honestly still starving. If a good sized guy like my husband ate there he would have to order three of their entrees to make a decent meal! The absolutely worse part of the experience was after we finished our meal. It was about 9:30pm and most of us had paid our checks but were just lingering, visiting on the patio catching up since we mostly see each other at our children's functions we were taking some much needed time for adult conversation. I had my back to the window so when the mom across from me said "oh my gosh turn around" what I saw was 5 members of the Story wait staff all lined up glaring at us! Evidently we were the only thing standing between them and going home for the night. The standard joke is that we roll the side walks up at 10pm in Prairie Village and these folks were evidently trying to hold true to the curfew. The funniest part was they didn't yield when we all turned to look at them. They literally glared us down like "why don't you leave so we can go home!" So the last of us finished our drinks and we walked home! So our monthly group of dinner moms isn't going back! It is sad because we all live in the community adjoining the PV shops and we want businesses there to succeed but overpriced food, bad service and uncomfortable atmosphere isn't going to keep the locals happy.
(1)P K.
Story is a significant addition to the Kansas City dining scene. Contemporary decor and food to match, presented as beautiful plates that are works of art. We had the $18 pre fixe lunch and it was fantastic value. Will definitely return. Only thing to change is to ask the waiter not to join into our conversation.
(5)Jennifer R.
Wow. Just wow. Met a friend here for dinner on a Saturday night, and as she put it "it's like we're somewhere else". By that, she meant that the decor and structure of the restaurant is modern and something you might see in a larger city. For starters, we ordered wine. She ordered a red (I forgot what, but it was good), and I ordered a California sparkling wine. The wine pours are very generous -- no 1/8 of a glass here. And the CA Sparkling was excellent. The waitress was very indulgent of our Paleo/no gluten/no dairy eccentricities, and didn't even flinch when she brought the bread basket to the table and we yelled at her, "NO! No bread!" My friend ordered the mussels for an appetizer -- note these are not in the shell, which was a surprise to her, evidently mussel purists like the shell for some reason. But, they were a big hit. I ordered the butternut squash bisque. The bisque (which I'm sure contained dairy, thus a violation of my diet) had bits of bacon and a rosemary olive oil on the top. It was delicious. The portion size was larger than I expected. For entrees, we ordered appetizers -- she had the ceviche and I ordered the tuna tartare. Both were excellent. We did not have dessert at the restaurant, however I took an order of german chocolate cake home for the OM. It was awesome. I'd go back -- for lunch, brunch, or dinner or maybe even for their "in between" menu.
(5)Neta D.
A place I've been wanting to try, Restaurant Week offered the perfect excuse. What a great find!!! The butternut squash soup was delicious. I had the char, which was very good but my friend's choice of the short ribs was the bomb!! That gnocchi was to die for! Neither of us was crazy about the dessert of doughnuts, but it wasn't horrible--just not our taste. We'll definitely find another reason to go back.
(5)Kevin T.
Let me tell you a love Story... A man and a woman were out to celebrate the Anniversary of their marriage. With reservations made and dressed to the nines they were set for a wonderful evening. Arriving at the restaurant they were greeted with a smile and seated at an intimate table for two. The lighting was perfect, the ambience was grand and their conversation consisted of memories of the past. First course shows up, Smoked Duck Empanadas, the presentation was sensational. Crisp flakey pastry filled with a spicy duck that had just the right amount of smoky flavor. The guacamole and black beans underneath were the prefect companions, like the couple at the table enjoying them. The main course was the special of the night, fitting beings that it was a special day for the patrons. The whitefish was flaky and crisp on the outside and flavorful throughout. The summer squash and zucchini were citrusy and refreshing. These were layered on top of a risotto that was not too heavy for the summer themed meal. For the first time this evening our couple were silent, busy devouring and could not wait to take another bite. Dessert was one of his favorites, the German Chocolate cake. It turned out to be the best compromise of the evening with the lady enjoying the chocolaty layers as much as he did. The toasted coconut chips added not only flavor but texture to the plate. And as if that weren't enough the kitchen took great care to scrolled out "Happy Anniversary" in chocolate along the rim of the plate. The man and woman had a tremendous evening together one they will not soon forget. The best part of this Story is it never has to end, because they will be back to Story again and again!
(5)Dina B.
Ugh, I do love this place. Friday happy hour, awesome bartender and cocktail. Bread, amazing. Here we go..... Warm Cesar salad, wilted and heavy dressing to boot. Seafood Risotto too salty and crunchy to eat, and I love salty. I actually left half of it. Fish was very overdone. So very sad
(3)Cindy R.
We came to Story for my boyfriend's birthday and it was amazing... Apparently the chef trained under Michael Smith and you can tell parts of his style match but he put his own twist on everything. I love the decor of the restaurant as well as the presentation of courses. The smoked duck empanada was one of the most delicious and interesting things I've tried. We also got the ravioli that has black truffle oil and they were incredibly yummy too. For the main course, I got the halibut and the boyfriend got the braised short ribs and we shared... well, I shared because he liked his way too much to want to actually split! All in all, Story was very good. If it were closer to us, we would go more often. It's so modern and very elegant at the same time. They also have a nice patio as well... I'll have to check that out next time!
(5)Jamie S.
Go. Just go. Simply amazing food and service. An unexpected and welcome change from the abundance of BBQ and steakhouses in the area.
(5)Michael A.
Heard lots of great things about this place and they lived up to their rep. First thing that hits you is the ambience. They do a very a creative job with the space and openings they have in the restaurant. 1) Pear Salad - never thought goat cheese would work with a pear but then, maybe goat cheese works with everything. Would repeat. 2) Beet Salad - the beets were a little too crisp for my liking. 3) Ceviche with Crispy Carrots - wow! The taste of ceviche took my back to some memorable Indian dishes my mom makes and that we have had in India but it still retains the taste of ceviche. The crispy carrots added such a nice contrast to the softeness of the seafood that I've never had before in ceviche. Would repeat. 4) Beef Short Ribs - it was about 2 years ago when my wife and I realized how much we like beef short ribs and Story's chapter on it was nicely done. The potato gnocchi and onion rings added a nice twist to this fish. Would repeat. 5) Arctic Char - nicely done with the brussel sprouts and apples. Would repeat. Dessert 6) Doughnuts - wow. The first bite revealed what must have been some light cream sauce inside. The donuts were also laid over a passion fruit syrup. So many different takes on a doughnut that rolled together so well. Would repeat. 7) Chocolate torte - I'm a huge fan of marangue and when the marangue is toasted like it is in this dish...taste bud explosion. Would repeat.
(5)Ken B.
Hell Yeah! is what I wanted to scream after my experience at Story, but that would not match the class and effort put out by the team at Story. What a great experience from start to finish. The staff was great and knowledgeable and worked as a team. The food was perfection from first course all the way to dessert. The drinks were perfectly made. The atmosphere is simple, modern and elegant. (huge fan of the slowly changing light boxes). It was nice to have something so modern and clean lined sitting in a neighborhood that feels very different. Unexpected. The other reviews give great detail, I just wanted to add my vote to the five star column and to encourage others to try this place out. Go and have yourself a Hell Yeah kind of experience.
(5)Christy L.
Before being seated the service from the bar was horrible.....after ordering we never received our drinks. At our table our server was attentive. It did take a long time for drinks and food to be served and the food was just ok. ...won't be going back.
(1)Adrian W.
Blew. Me. Away. On a recent trip to KC and after reading several glowing reviews about the food and service here at Story, I felt the weekend wouldn't have been complete without stopping in Prairie Village for a bite. I'm so glad I did. Since the menu changes constantly with what's fresh and available, I don't know if you'll have the same meal I did but one things for certain...they'll have the short rib on the menu. And you should eat it! We had some Maryland soft shell crab to start. The batter and sauce bed were superb and the light slaw helped give an even more satisfying texture. 2 of the 4 of us ordered short rib. Typically in family style I love when everyone orders something different but one taste and I almost wished I'd ordered it as well. It's hard to describe how good that was!! The pork belly with shrimp tastes divine and had a nice Asian flavor as well as a little kick of heat that set it apart from many other pork belly dishes I've tried. Service, decor and of course the food were all excellent. Have a feeling I'll be back to eat here in the future.
(4)Jessica E.
Story's ears must be burning from all the talk about it as of late. As KC Restaurant Week approached and I made my list of places to try, Story was definitely priority. My froworkers and I headed to Story after work for an early dinner. I don't venture in that area very often, something about strip malls and the burbs, man. However, once you're in Story, you forget where you are and you are smacked with the beautiful and classy ambiance. We were seated at a high-top table pretty near the front door so we didn't get to experience the main dining area. Here's the breakdown of the KCRW dinner menu: I started w/ the "caesar." It was good, nothing special but the ingredients were fresh and the dressing was on point and not overdone (meaning the lettuce didn't come out soggy). Next up was the beef short ribs. The meat was so soft that I barely had to use my steak knife. It was that tender and soft. The gnocchi had a hint of bacon (genius move) and the onion rings added a fun element to the plating. When I reviewed the menu ahead of time, I already knew I was super stoked for the dessert: their maple bread pudding. No complaints whatsoever there. Well, except I could've used another serving of it! Overall, the experience and especially the dinner was outstanding. There was one tiny complaint (so insignificant that it really only would've brought this rating to a 4.5, but I always round up). The server we had was a bit sarcastic and a tad condescending. We couldn't put our finger on it and she wasn't outrightly rude, but every interaction we had with her made it seem like she was distracted and completely disinterested in serving our table. I know that KCRW isn't the best week for servers because of the low price for their plates, but it would've been nice not to feel awkward about ordering from it. Considering it's all for a good cause anyway, right? Either way, Story did not disappoint. I will definitely be back and look forward to trying the rest of the menu!
(5)Marisa B.
I have been nothing short of blown away with my meal AND the level of service I experienced each time I have been to Story. My initial visit way back when started off with a bit of hesitation on my part, which was completely unfounded. I thought that perhaps this place was too "fancy" for me. But I was wrong. When it comes to me finding food that is top notch, with attentive service that includes a wait and kitchen staff who put consideration into my dietary restrictions, I am no longer even going to notice if there are white tablecloths and dressy attire. It simply can't be a part of my criteria. I felt welcomed when I walked in the door, and have been returning ever since. I love that they do the $10 Sunday entree special. And I love that they have such a diverse (even if it is somewhat small & ever-changing) menu. I was on a kick recently with their short ribs. I had the breakfast version, and ended up craving it daily for days on end. So we went back for dinner, & I managed to get something similar for dinner. The kitchen prepared an alternate sauce to ensure my dish was gluten and dairy free. And I could not have been happier. This is a great date spot, brunch option, place to take the out of town guests, etc. All I can say is that the food pretty much speaks for itself. I am delighted to be able to say that our service has always followed suit. But the food is definitely the draw for me. I can't even imagine how addicted I might be to eating at Story if I did not have so many dietary restrictions. The bread looks and smells insanely good. And the gluten-FULL items offered the last time I was there for brunch looked incredible. And judging from my dining companions, they tasted just as good as they looked.
(5)Amanda S.
Story was worth the wait. The server was knowledgeable, nice and efficient without being overly in our face. I appreciate a server who will acknowledge me but let me settle into my seat before pouncing on me. We started with the smoked duck empanadas and split Story's take on a Caesar which the add kalamata olives. I thought both were extremely good and wouldn't hesitate to order again. I ordered the Pork Cheeks as my entree. The pork was so tender and so full of flavor. I really liked the sauce with the apples and grapes. I would have licked my plate clean if I could have. We ended up calling it quits before dessert. I'm sure their dessert is as delicious as the other foods we tried. The only downside is the dining room. It is smallish and can be quite loud. What is the point of having music playing if no one can hear it over all the conversations? Plus the tables are really close together. I don't care for the diner next to me almost on top of me. Besides the seating, Story was exactly what I had hoped it would be for my birthday dinner. I hope to go back and try their brunch and Happy Hour too. Both look amazing from reading the menus.
(4)Jeffrey T.
I will preface this review by stating that in the past I have had very enjoyable dining experiences at story. The food has always been excellent but not necessarily any value for the prices charged. I have also had exceptional service on a a couple of visits and extremely marginal service on others. With that said my experience on my most recent visit it what I feel needs to be shared. On the week story Story sent out and email stating they would be running soft shell crabs for the upcoming weekend (weekend of Easter) I was thrilled and dined the first Thursday they were available. The waiter gave an accurate description of the dish stating they were "buttermilk fried with fingerlings, spring peas and aioli with a fine cabbage slaw on top". Upon ordering the server said there is one crab per order for an entree and did I think that would be sufficient. I have eaten soft shell crabs all over the country as well as in Hong Kong and I knew at a minimum I could eat 2 - and considering I have eaten soft shell crabs many times a year when they are in season for over 30 years I have NEVER scene only 1 crab offered as an entree. The crabs tasted very good, It was a simple preparation with inexpensive complimenting garnishes on the plate, potatoes, spring peas, aioli and shredded cabbage. Per my request I did receive 2 crabs one of decent size and one noticeably smaller, but my surprise came when I received the check - it was $56.00 dollars for a 2 crab soft shell entree. One crab for an entree was priced at $28.00 and since I ordered 2 it was simply doubled to $56.00. You have no way of knowing but you will have to take my word for it that I am not cheap, especially when it comes to dining which is both a career and a passion. I understand seasonal, luxury ingredients and truly appreciate them, but I know when I'm getting duped. Under no circumstances should an entree with 2 soft shell crabs cost $56.00 dollars and I challenge anyone to find a comparable dish with 2 crabs in that price range ANYWHERE in the US. I hope the good reviews and positive accolades Story have received have not clouded their vision as far as how long a guest will continue to support a restaurant where prices outpace the caliber of the restaurant. Thank you!
(2)Ashleigh T.
Came here for the second time with my husband this evening. Fantastic! We ordered the steak tartare for an appetizer and artic char and market fish for entrees (swordfish). It did not disappoint! Everything was perfect- the food, the service and the ambience. It's not likely there's a thing on this menu we wouldn't enjoy. The cheese plate was a wonderful dessert. Looking forward to returning yet again.
(5)Lori H.
Stuffy and weird. The food was mediocre and the portions tiny. Decor looks like an 80's movie. Trying too hard to be fancy, but ultimately overpriced and under flavored. Simply a poser in an area with MUCH better choices for dinner.
(2)Sean P.
Delicious! The swordfish, beets appetizer and braised short rib were all incredible. We cleaned our plates and were thoroughly impressed. The server Daniel was quick and on point, everything about dinner was great.
(5)Brooke A.
I was really disappointed in this restaurant. The two stars I gave it were solely for the food. It was divine. That being said, plan to spend for a small plate and eat like a celebrity who is fearful of gaining a gram of weight. My husband and I enjoyed the lobster truffle ravioli as appetizers. My ravioli was barely warm and had probably been sitting on the line waiting to be brought out. My husband enjoyed the ceviche and he said it was very good. For our main courses we enjoyed the Mahi Mahi and the Ribeye. My fish was exceptional. Lightly seasoned giving it just enough flavor without being overpowered. My husbands ribeye was ordered medium and it didn't disappoint. It was red and juicy in the middle and melted in his mouth. He was smitten by the chefs take on "tator tots" but the 3 large marble sized potatoes were less than sufficient as a side. The plating was beautiful but if you are hoping for leftovers to enjoy the next day look elsewhere. The food is definitely an experience and worth trying should atmosphere and service not rank high on your list of requirements when spending $$$$ on your dinner. Upon arriving, we were told there was a table in the back being prepared or one ready at the front near the window to which I looked over to see. It was sandwiched between to other tables with maybe a foot worth of space between each party. I politely said we would take the table in the back to which she kindly obliged. My hope was that it would not be like the front table allowing for more privacy and room. Sadly, it was not. It was also crowded between two other two top tables that felt like a cafeteria with one side being a bench the length of the wall and the other being a single chair directly across. Not only were we uncomfortably cozy with our neighbors but now we were two feet from the kitchen entrance and directly across the wait staff galley where the restrooms were also located. Disappointed would be an understatement and atmosphere is just as important as food and service to me when spending upwards of $40-$50 a plate. We both felt like we should resort to texting our conversation so we didn't impede on those around us or share intimate discussion with a nearby table who may not be engaged with their guest. Lastly is the service. To say my husband who was in the restaurant business and spent much of his childhood working in his grandparents restaurant waiting tables into his teens isn't typically overly understanding would be a lie. He was the first to mention our waiter was fowl for lack of a better word and his customer service lacked immensely. He was short with each stop by our table as if he didn't have time to answer questions or better yet, didn't care too. He was absent for majority of our visit and when he did come by it was as if he couldn't make eye contact for fear of getting sucked into a black hole. He didn't explain the menu, inquire if we had any questions, make any suggestions and had to be prompted to give his input by the table next to us as well. I understand we all have bad days but when you work with people you really need to be able to readjust and not allow it to effect your service ability. Especially when the potential bill amount will easily break $100 per couple. In a nutshell, the food is stellar but lacks in portion and I'm not asking for portion control when I pay $50 a plate. At that price there should be no reason to be stingy. As for atmosphere, go when it's empty so you don't have to rub elbows with other parties as they indulge in their meal as well. As for service, hopefully you don't get the waiter we had and if you do, I pray he took his anti-surly pills before his shift. Sorry Story, I had really high hopes for your establishment and maybe that is partly why we left disappointed but nonetheless, I can check it off my list of must try venues and move along. Thank you for the exceptional meal that left me $225 lighter in my wallet.
(2)Mian W.
Had birthday dinner there with a party of 10. The beef short rib is superb. Also liked the white wine from Sonoma coast, forgot the name. It was fruity which I like. Service was prompt and professional. Price was very reasonable, just as expected. Decor could be improved especially around my table. Probably some nice art paintings will do.
(4)Reed N.
This place is going to make my best of KC list. It's centrally located. It's cool inside without seeming pretentious. The service is nice. And boy oh boy do they cook their ass off here! I've had a few items here. Ethereal lentil soup (curry). Bread is made in house from 200+ year old starter/mother dough. It's the best restaurant bread in KC. Period. Ricotta filled french toast-ish concoction I can't remember the name of for brunch that was like eating sweet air. Again... ethereal. Finally, the braised beef short ribs are somewhat known here for good reason. Add some poached eggs on top and you have the very definition of decadent. And... since this place really cooks they can usually work around any dietary restrictions. Good thing, too...you do not want to moss dining here!
(5)Jill T.
This place was very good! Great food, great service, and nice relaxing atmosphere. Visiting the area from SF I am so happy to find this gem in a strip mall off the beaten path. We had a very enjoyable evening that was highlighted by really good interesting food in a relaxed intimate environment. Great data night spot or a nice evening out with friends.
(5)Mary P.
We visited story for brunch this weekend and were pleasantly surprised by the menu, service and great food. The selections were unique and portions were perfect. This place will definitely give Room39 a run for best brunch in KC (in my book anyway). Loved loved loved the chocolate bread pudding and french toast, the pork empanadas were delicious. We will definitely be back to try dinner.
(5)Jillian C.
Beware GF peeps, while there are ways to modify things, the awesomeness of the menu really comes at a gluten-price. I WISH I could have gluten because oh my, the things I could try... I met with a friend for happy hour and dinner. The bartender, Curt, was very nice and a decent conversationalist. He knew his stuff and was willing to make things off menu. As for food, I ended up getting a Ceasar salad without the croutons with a side of chicken. It was alright, sure, but something I could have made at home. I did appreciate the option to add chicken, not something they normally do, but when I stated I couldn't eat much of the menu, they made a pleasant effort to help out. The star of the night for me was really the Aviatrix: gin, lemon, lavender...what what? So tasty and well crafted. I loved that the bartender chilled the martini glass first, as it should always be done. Attention to detail, folks, that's where its at.
(4)Brett A.
Absolutely fantastic. Food, service, atmosphere... I can only think of one negative experience there, and I have to dig really, really deep to find one...I got a wobbly table. That's it, a wobbly table. Please try Story. Just avoid that dang table.
(5)Hannie D.
This place is fine. Just very...fine. And for fine, we had a $321 check for four people. The food was good, but nothing knocked my socks off. Everyone agreed the appetizers were the best part. Two of us had the fois gras with berry pancakes and they were delicious. The steak tartare and duck empanadas were also good. The bread in made in-house, and it was good bread. The entrees (three beef-based and one beets) were good. But nothing that warrants the price tag. For desert, we split ice cream and tres leches cake. The ice cream was...ice cream. The tres leches was not very good. It wasn't cake - it was more like flan. Not very flavorful. My biggest criticism was how imbalanced the menu seemed to be. I am OK with a small menu, but I'd like more vegetables and less heavy, saucy meats. If you are a vegetarian, this is NOT the place for you. Additionally, the cocktail menu was quite underwhelming. For this type of restaurant experience, I suggest Room 39 or Bluestem.
(3)Makini K.
I thought the food here was just okay considering the price. I like to be wowed for my dollar. Don't get me wrong, the food wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything to write home about. I liked the ambiance, that is, except for the lack of diversity in the place, it was a "snowstorm". It is located in Prairie Village so I don't know what I should have expected in that sense.
(3)Katie T.
Now, I don't say this lightly but "holy moly Batman!" Translation: Eat here! I wish I ate here in my Yelping days but unfortunately I had yet to discover the awesomeness that is Yelp so I'm sad to announce I do not have pictures to pair with my review. It's been a few months since I enjoyed Story, but I haven't forgotten its loveliness let alone how much my stomach thanked me afterwards. This beautiful restaurant is nestled within a strip mall found in Prairie Village. I wasn't expecting such a modern appearance, but Story is just that with sleek white walls complete with multicolored dimmed lighting, fine dishware, and a long stemmed wine glass waiting at the table. Now, don't let that description scare you off because Story has a way of not seeming pretentious. Fancy plus not pretentious odd combo, huh? Well there's reason numero uno that YOU should check out Story. My significant other and I enjoy wine with dinner, and we were both pleased to see an extensive wine list (or book if you will). Bottles even starting as low as $35. We chose the Veietti and it was delightful. Onto the food..ohh the food! I want you to take a deep breath and go back to when you were a young child watching countless cartoons. I want you to imagine one of those cartoon hobos and their reaction every time they'd see a fresh baked pie sitting upon a window seal. Their jaws dropped, drool dripping, yearning for a piece of that perfectly baked pie! Okay you have that image in your head? Now take that image and picture it on a 25 year old female. This is only a fraction of the expression that was displayed across my face when our food started to arrive. We started with the pesto octopus. The appetizer was cooked perfectly; no chewiness over here! The portion was smaller than I had expected, but turned out to be perfect once our larger dinner plates arrived. I ordered the veal and the other half ordered the swordfish. I've heard through the grapevine that the braised short ribs are something out of this world, but unfortunately they were out for the evening. No worries! I was perfectly satisfied with what I received. Both dishes were succulent, impeccable seasonings, and their side dishes were on the same level. Those potatoes! Mid-dinner the other half and I started plotting how we were going to turn the Story bar into our own personal sports bar in hopes to receiving large orders of their quartered potatoes and onion rings as a meal (this hasn't happened but in my perfect world it would). I don't recall our servers name, but she was fantastic. She let us take our time ordering, inconspicuously filled our water anytime the glass thought about being low, and readily available if needed. This girl was on stealth mode and I was impressed! I look forward to the next opportunity I have to dine in this fine establishment. Overall, I highly recommend Story anytime someone is in need of a date night, special event, or even taking an out of town guest. Show those out of towners that Kansas City has more to offer than BBQ.
(5)Rita H.
Our new favorite Kansas City restaurant. The atmosphere is beautiful. The cocktails sublime. Every dish was cooked to perfection. We shared the delicious, fresh sea bass ceviche. Our fish entrees were terrific. Desserts and a glass of port were over the top! The service was outstanding. We will definitely return!
(5)Seve B.
Every course was superb - fresh, healthy and interesting. Service was excellent - friendly, knowledgable, and just the right level of attention. I highly recommend Story.
(5)David R.
Our first time at this restaurant, accompanied by Larry and Amy, out-of-town NetSmarters from New York. Story was recommended by our friend, Matthew Arnheiter. Fine Dining - Light sophistication, elegant, local feel. American locavore cuisine. Service - Promptly seated by Susan, the co-owner, per reservations. Server was good with making recommendations or confirming choices. Great personality with small comments, not too conversational which was good since we were visiting with friends. Polite. Wait staff kept the table tidy, removing plates and flatware as needed, attentive to drinks and water glasses. Ambiance - White table cloth service. Small dining area brought character through people rather than through decor. Simple colors, simple and hidden lighting that worked well. When we were first seated the sun was in just the right spot to directly blind two of us but within 10 minutes had gone down. The waiter tried to make adjustments and was sympathetic to the sun. Again, this was temporary. Food - Everything we ordered was well received. The portion sizes where just perfect. The food here is of artistic creation, designed to be savored and enjoyed. Take small bites. Let the textures delight your mouth and the flavors roam. Enjoy the company that you are with. Take your time. This is an experience that should not be discounted with a doggie bag or bloated belly. Steak Tartare - If there were no seasoning at all in this dish that was alright with me. It was light and perfect while robust with natural flavors. The beef was slightly cool and the flavor of arugula, olives and romano complemented it well. Braised beef short rib - Just the day after the American Royal and after a lunch of stuffed grilled burgers I was thinking beef would be overkill for my evening. I am glad I chose the short rib, however. Wonderfully done with just the right seasoning and the texture was perfect. Cooked so that a knife was not needed when cutting with the grain. I was not impressed with the presentation of fried onion rings nested atop when the plate was placed before me. I immediately thought of Oklahoma Joe's Z-man. That was forgotten with my first bit of the beef. The gnocchi, although not abundant on the plate was a treat. The occasionally crunch of green bean was a good contrast to the softness to the other textures. Bread pudding - This desert brought all kinds of happiness to my mouth. The warmth of the bread, the cold of the ice cream (not store bought), and the compliment of the white chocolate, balsamic vinegar and blackberries was genius. Other items ordered at our table - caesar, octopus, market fish, duck, doughnuts, ice cream. All members of our party were pleased with the experience and agreed that this would be a place to return to.
(5)Stephen H.
I have done 4 reviews for Story - more than any other restaurant in KC. This is probably for two reasons: 1. It's really close to my home. 2. They are never satisfied and keep shooting for the best every day. One more weapon Story has added to its arsenal? A $10 Sunday night entree. They've insured that they are going to be packed on Sunday nights and the most recent one I visited I had a really wonderful fish dish. Inevitably I added foie gras to the front and doughnuts to the back of my meal and some tempranillo to wash it down. Thank you Carl and Susan for this gem that we don't have to drive all the way up to KCMO for. :-)
(5)Jorge P.
Took two friends there this past Saturday. They had not been before and I've been several times. It's one of my favorite places for special occasions. In the past, I've taken special bottles of wine, and been charged a reasonable corkage fee of $20. It's been a year since I'd done that. This past Saturday I took a very special and expensive bottle of wine to share with my friends. As they have a Wine Spectator Award, I checked beforehand to see if they had the bottle on their list, which they did not. I should have called beforehand to see if their corkage policy hand changed. My mistake. I was charged a $35 corkage fee, which I believe to be excessive. Thankfully, we had a great time and a fantastic meal. We shared two salads and three small plates and were delicious, with the exception of the octopus. A little old and dry tasting. We shared a soft shell crab entree and the halibut, which were outstanding. We saved room for a couple of desserts, as well. My friends were very pleased. The only reason for a 4/5 was the corkage fee. Had it been advertised (or had I confirmed it) I would not have brought it, and consumed it at home with my friends, prior to arrival.
(4)Greg U.
Very good, but be prepared to get out your wallet. With that said, it was worth the money. Good food and good atmosphere!
(5)Dallas F.
Went here for a late night birthday celebration and it was excellent. The service was spot on. The entrees were high class American food but had a twist all their own. I'm impressed with the flavors and combination of food. Definitely a must go to if you live in Merriam
(5)Jocelyn M.
Yay, Story! I have returned a few times since my first review and you are more than redeemed. Our service has been warm and on point the past few times and a great pace. There-when-we-need-you-and-not-when-we-don't. Nice, but not trying to be part of the party. And the brunch. Homerun. I loved sitting with our group (of 6, I think?) at a nice, big round table and all that natural light and white linens while I enjoyed my Lobster hash. Which, by the way, I think they put on the menu just for me. Just let me think that. That is the beauty of Story. They make you feel special. Just what a dining experience should be. We were among dear friends and our server had just the right pace. A 2-hour brunch is okay sometimes. And this time it was lovely. The mimosas didn't hurt either.
(5)Meghan M.
300th Review!!!!!! Make it something special!! We dined at Story during restaurant week (sidenote-Love, love, love restaurant week). I will admit it wasn't my first choice, but when Bl### and The Am### were already booked up, I figured this would be a great option, and man, did they offer a great value for restaurant week. Ever since reading about the "amazeballs" food in Matt E.'s review, I've had Story on my list. Before our date, I read up on the chef's intriguing history and was excited to dine. I kind of wish I hadn't read about his extensive time/training/working in Michael Smith's kitchens, because that definitely changed the lens from which I viewed his food. Now, let's get on with it. Ambience: Great rehab of a shopping strip location. Snazzy inside, comfortable yet cozy with some tables being pretty close together. Dress ranged from dressy to jeans and sweater. Relaxed atmosphere. We also got the distinct impression that there are many regulars, and it's taking on an upscale neighborhood feel which is great to see. Lots of white and crispness in the decor with candles and warm mood lighting. They have a teeny-tiny lounge area that offers happy hour food specials which I can't wait to try, but space is super limited. They also have a patio which could be nice in the spring, but it's parking lot view is less than ideal. Speaking of parking lot, from where I sat (east wall booth) you do get some headlight glares from all the xenon luxury headlights that come into this shopping center. No big deal, but I did notice it when trying to stare dreamily into the eyes of my date. ;) Service: Great service. On point, friendly, etc. No complaints. Food: Portions are modest here, but with an appetizer, entree, and dessert, you should be sated. Overall, the food was very good. We were happy with every dish. That being said, nothing really blew me away enough for the price tag. You won't go wrong eating here, but it just wasn't 5 stars for me. I could definitely tell the Chef has similar tastes as Chef Michael Smith, as the flavor profiles were often similar. Since flavors were similar for me, I have a hard time not doing a head-to-head comparison of the two. I think Michael Smith has 4 or so dishes that are out-of-this world delicious, but I have been disappointed with other items on his menu. Story, in contrast, seems to have A LOT of delicious options. Everything was good, but nothing blew me away. Thus, I go with four vs. five stars, but thankful to have yet another great chef in KC! Detailed food account: We did the restaurant week menu which was a soup or salad, entree, and the donut dessert. Cocktails- Pretty straight forward. Nothing too crazy, but they were good. Salad was just a salad--not that interesting. The soup was an interesting work of contrasts. It was a lentil soup which automatically sounded lame and peasant-like (but maybe that's b/c I lived off lentils in grad school), but the chef topped it with fanciness like smoked mussels, caviar, creme fraiche, and pickled shallots. The soup was good/fine, but these toppings elevated it to another level. I found the creativity and contrasts in it surprising and delicious. Chef provided a complimentary amouse bouche which was essentially a fried parmesan ball. Simple flavor profile but good stuff. My husband had the mahi mahi which was good. I'm NEVER blown away by fish dishes, so I can't say I'd be a good judge of that. I had the pork cheeks. I spent the first few minutes with my meal just smelling it. It smelled Ah-mazing. The dish was delicious. The pork cheeks were tender. I LOVED how the crunchy farro broke up the textures. The grapes and apples sounded like they would be a perfect complement to the pork, but I found the grapes to be too much, and the apples were kind of bland, as if they had just been boiled. I'm sure they weren't, but they just didn't add as much as I had hoped. For dessert, we had the doughnuts. They were delightful! They were probably the largest serving of the night, but I didn't mind that :). They were not too heavy or rich, and the sweet-bright flavor of the passion fruit syrup complemented them perfectly. I wasn't a fan of the crunchy salted caramel topping, as it was hard to distribute on each bite and stuck to my teeth, BUT it helped make the plating beautiful and interesting. Overall, it's good stuff. A little spendy, but not ridiculous. I guess I could sum it up like K. Vonnegut did "Everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt."
(4)Jenni F.
We went here for our 1 year anniversary and it was amazing. I had been here a few times before for Happy hour or drinks, but having a full course dinner was the ultimate experience. We started with the foie gras, good portion, silky and buttery. I had the $10 Sunday entree (pork tenderloin) which was definitely more than worth it, and my husband had the braised beef short ribs. For dessert, we each wanted something different so we splurged and each got our own. Everything is amazing and unique here. Atmosphere is relaxing and perfect for a date night or special occasion.
(5)Lauren C.
Hands down one of my favorite restaurants in KC. Very elegant and sophisticated but modern and not stuffy. This is the kind of place to go to on a nice date, or when your parents are in town. Or really anytime you're wanting some really, really good food. I've been here on several occasions and everything is always impeccable. Food is outstanding, service wonderful, and each time I've come away very pleased with the overall experience. The menu does change over time, but each time the offerings are lovely, delicious, and very well executed. The one dish that I do see consistently is the short ribs. OMG, they are SO good. Get them, you will not be disappointed. My husband has even requested to replace the gnocchi with the short ribs for mashed potatoes (he loves them) and the staff happily obliged with no complaints. Though, personally I think the gnocchi is excellent. Highly recommend to anyone adding this to your must visit list!
(5)Robert B.
Outstanding, from start to finish!
(5)Yulia R.
Great Place to go for dinner in Prairie Village! My husband and I I had the beet salad and the duck for appetizer..... Yum. For dinner a must try is the short rib for main entree..... Yum yum. I highly recommend this place in PV.
(4)John P.
One of the best restaurants in KC! Everything is delicious. I've had the ceviche for an appetizer...just amazing fresh! I've also had the caesar and pear salads...both are great. For entrees, I've had the ribs and Arctic char...just divine. All the desserts are mouthwatering too. The interior design is elegant and minimal. You are lucky to enjoy an evening or two here (luckier still if Daniel is taking care of you!).
(5)Matt E.
This review has been elusive. I ate here (somewhat) recently and immediately knew that I wanted to review, but I just couldn't find the words to describe the experience. I'm still struggling with that, so I'm going to have to settle for "F'n Amazeballs". Say you were to get kidnapped, knocked out and woke up blindfolded. If your kidnappers lugged your body into Story, and removed the blindfold, I bet you'd be all "Holy Crap, they took me to a great restaurant in New York. These kidnappers rock!" You'd be impressed by the stark, modern and cosmopolitan space. You'd notice the well dressed (and well-to-do) diners, eating impeccably plated food. Then you'd walk out the door, and realize you were in a frou frou strip mall in Prairie Village, and all hints of Stockholm Syndrome would vanish. These things never last. The food? That's right "F'n Amazeballs". We started with the pesto octopus served with fingerling potatoes. Though the portion was tiny, I was blown away by this plate. It looked beautiful and the octopus was cooked perfectly, with no chewiness to it at all. And I'm a pesto whore, so that made me happy, for sure. For dinner I selected the braised short ribs. I almost wept as I bit into the moist and tender meat. It was served on gnocchi (which is Italian for "pillows of deliciousness"), as well as green beans and bacon. On top were onion rings so fluffy and delicate, they looked like donuts. But nope, they tasted like onion rings. Delicious, delicious onion rings. The portion was actually quite larger than I had expected, based on the appetizer. Desert beckoned, and we opted for some sort of strawberry pasty goodness, topped with citrus ice cream. I was pretty much slap-happy with deliciousness by this point, so I don't recall many details, but it was just amazing as well. I don't know a ton about wine, but the list hit a number of price points, and we were able to find a bottle we enjoyed for not too much money. My wine expert friends say this is a fantastic list. I'll have to take their word for it. Service was prompt, friendly, helpful and unobtrusive. They had excellent teamwork, and we were never left wanting for anything. The manager casually stopped by, and he was friendly as well. This staff has skills. Story won't be a regular stop for me, as it's really far from my home, and a bit out of my normal price range. But it's definitely my favorite restaurant out in the burbs, and I'd recommend it in a heartbeat for somebody wanting to celebrate a special occasion, or just to act like a baller.
(5)Daniel H.
The food here was delicious and expensive for the portions. I didn't mind since I don't go out to eat expensive food all the time. lol The interior was nice and roomy in my opinion. We were waiting for about 8 others but only 3 others showed up. I guess the other 5 didn't want to spend the money. I ordered the Ravioli ($14) for an appetizer and the Braised Beef Short Ribs ($25) for the entree. I don't remember what everybody else ordered but I'll figure it out when I label the pictures. The waitress was nice and helped us decide what we wanted to order. After we all ordered, the bread that they made fresh came out. It was pretty good and I was hungry like everybody else. We finished it like it was nothing. We waited for awhile before our food came out. I believe one of the chefs came out to give us our appetizers but I could be wrong. My Ravioli was good but it wasn't enough. The Braised Beef Short Ribs was delicious! I liked how they added onion rings to the dish because I would have never thought of putting that on. I was the last to finish because I took pictures of everybody's food and mine with my macro lens. lol For dessert, I ordered the Doughnuts ($7) which turned out to look pretty awesome. My dessert was the most best looking one out of the rest that were ordered at my table. The Doughnuts were soft and so good! The passion fruit syrup was a nice way to change it and complemented everything else. Delicious food here at Story!
(5)Anchinlema Z.
I read a lot of good reviews and decided to give it a try. The place is nice, service was great and they had a good wine selection. However, the food was nothing spectacular. They print their menus daily and had very limited selection. The portions are perfect but smaller than an average serving at other restaurants. I thought it was a bit pricy for what we got.
(3)Kevin L.
Great service by Jerame. Pretty nice fine dining restaurant in KC. Turned out very good. Every time I travel out of California I seek foie gras. Twice this week already. This place was good, lightly seared for the texture to remain fatty, smooth and awesome. Spatzel gave a chewy text and worked well surprisingly. Red snapper - could of been less done. I never order fish but it was the special and we've had too much BBQ. Everything else was great. Pork cheeks Linguine lobster chanterelles Steak tartare Sweetbreads German cake pretty crazy. I don't like sweets but two bites finished the night well.
(5)Jordan L.
Service is always top notch and the food is amazing. They're very accommodating with gluten free, and I never have trouble finding something delicious to eat!!! The only time I was disappointed with Story was their limited brunch menu... The food didn't seem very brunchy. Go for dinner!!!
(4)Sam P.
I loved my meal at Story. Great food and outstanding service. We started out with the Tuna tartar which I thought was fantastic. My wife commented it was one of the best she had ever had. For my main course, I had the braised octopus short ribs and they were amazing. I look forward to going back to Story in the future - great meal.
(5)Senushi J.
Yes, Story is everything it's hyped up to be. I can say this because I was blown away on my first visit, and this was just for happy hour! Happy Hour is until 6:30 on weekdays. This review is especially helpful for those wanting to know about Story's gluten free options. The Story Sour (their take on an whiskey sour) is the best cocktail even for those who don't typically like whiskey sours (i.e. us). As far as I know the drinks aren't any cheaper during happy hour. The cucumber cocktail is also delicious. In order to get the happy hour specials, you need to sit in the bar area. The seating in the bar is tight and the high tables are not-surprisingly tiny. Therefore, I'd suggest only bringing 1-2 fellow diners with you. Food on the happy hour menu is half price, but the taste and portions are 100% perfect! Order the fish/risotto dish (gluten free if the bread crumbs are left off), the flank steak & potatoes (also gluten free), and the lobster pasta dish (not gf but to die for). Save room for dessert because they are all decadent works of art. We loved the doughnuts w/ passion fruit syrup (raised donut holes not yucky cake donuts) and the maple bread pudding. The only gluten free dessert option is ice cream, so I'd go elsewhere if you have a sweet tooth but have been cursed with gluten intolerance.
(5)Patrick And Stephanie P.
Food was phenomenal, as was service. The dishes were beautiful, like works of art. We had the empanadas like everyone suggests, and they were delicious! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the portions are extremely small. So small that after sharing an appetizer, and having a salad and entree, I was still relatively hungry.
(4)Timothy B.
A great, sophisticated, interesting restaurant. We have been here twice and were impressed with both the top notch service and food both times. A menu that changes seasonally and a fantastic atmosphere. Competes with higher end dining in any city, a gem for KC and in my book one of the top 10 restaurants in the city.
(5)Bill B.
This upscale restaurant has ALL entrees at half price on Thursdays between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Also a few wines by the glass are at discount prices on Thursdays all day long. The chef, Thorne-Thomsen, previously was chef de cuisine at Michael Smith restaurant. Where else can you get fine dining from an outstanding chef at a moderate price? Find me arriving there before 6:30 pm on almost every Thursday. The deal is unbeatable. There are bigger discounts on Sundays, but only for one entree and one bottle of wine. You might want to call in advance on a Sunday to see what the specials are. But I'll stick with Thursdays for more choices.
(5)K K.
We eat at Story often. It is always really good, but last night, it was exceptional. I had the grouper with corn fritter. The fish was fantastic as was the corn fritter. Even the garnish of little slices of carrots had great flavor. We always love the lobster linguine and ceviche. Both were great last night as usual. Desserts were fantastic--the ice cream was delicious and tres leches cake was outstanding.
(5)Melissa T.
Story restored my faith in fine dining in Kansas City and I didn't even leave the bar area. I came here with a friend for happy hour/dinner. While there were no happy hour drink specials, the half off food made up for it. I loved the perfectly portioned shrimp and red snapper risotto, which had the right amount of cream and cheesy without being overpowering. They were also incredibly accommodating of my friend's gluten allergy, adding a whole chicken breast to her caesar salad. The maple bread pudding was the perfect bite of sweet after my meal. We both enjoyed one of Story's signature cocktails, and my friend finished her meal with a delicious chocolate martini. Thanks to our bartender for his great recommendations and conversation.
(5)Julia C.
Loved this place. It was hidden in a strip mall! The staff was polite. The food was amazing! Delicious everything, and it was awesome to get out for a bit without baby! :) It has a very modern vibe!
(5)Matt Z.
Not sure if everyone who gave this place 5 stars ate at the same restaurant I did. Service was awful, he would be at the next table over then just walk off while we had empty glasses on our table. Felt like we were inconveniencing him whenever we had a question. The cocktail list was laughable. The drinks we had were ok, but they had like 5 or 6 to choose from, one of which they were out of. Wine list was substantial though. The menu was small, which is fine, but I counted 3 different instances of cauliflower being on there. Come on guys. Guys. Come on. The lobster ravioli was nice, and had me pretty excited for the rest of the meal. The menu read well, but was almost misleading as to how little food you actually get. My girlfriend ordered "sturgeon, with mushroom risotto, cauliflower, and fromage blanc." she got the sturgeon (which was under seasoned and tasted of nothing), roughly one tablespoon of risotto, and 2 slices of cauliflower on top. My short ribs tasted fine (none of the food we had was bad necessarily, just fine. $30 an entrée fine.), had about 8 tiny gnocchi and 2 onion rings. It just felt more a la carte than an actual composed plate. We ordered dessert mainly because we were still hungry. After waiting about 15 minutes, our fried pecan pie and caramel custard were probably the highlight of the meal. It was just overwhelmingly underwhelming. The fact that this place was put in the same category as Affare by the James Beard foundation is mind blowing. For spending as much as we did, we left still hungry and baffled why everyone seems to be losing their minds over this place.
(2)Kay L.
I'm reviewing story for their special five-course prix-fixe seating on New Year's Eve. I realize that this is not an everyday menu, but I think that a restaurant that is offering a special event menu (and charging a hefty sum for it too) should be pulling out all the stops for a grand experience. Sadly, we didn't get that. Ambiance: Stylish, but a little cold. I liked the bar best (where we waited briefly for our table to be ready.) I know some people like that very spare style of decor, but it just looks chilly to me. The tables are packed in far too tightly for a relaxed quiet dinner. Food: five stars, easily. The risotto with truffles, the beef bourguignon, the fromage blanc cheesecake... all divine. The only thing that was even a little off was the halibut, which was a bit dry. One tiny misstep in an otherwise amazing menu is eminently forgivable. Service: three stars. Everyone was friendly, and our server Michael was quite attentive. But the kitchen was obviously overwhelmed, and service was disappointingly slow and uneven. An adjacent table, seated before us, sat and watched us eat our third course; they must have been wondering why we got served before they did. Awkward, especially since we were seated all of about 12 inches away. Then, there was a HUGE delay waiting for the meat course. At one point, we realized that we had been waiting for forty-five minutes at an empty table. The Guy was ready to get up and leave. We were there for over two and a half hours total, which overshoots "leisurely" and lands squarely in "snail's pace." They had plenty of servers on the floor, almost too many, as they seemed to swarm around aimlessly sometimes. They should have brought in some extra help in the kitchen instead. Price: not a good value for the money. I get it, it's high-end dining, I knew I was going to drop a couple hundred on a special-occasion meal. But at that price, it should be amazing from start to finish. story didn't amaze us. Can't say I'm a fan.
(3)Sofie C.
Chose to come here for the first time to celebrate our 3rd year anniversary. Thank you Yelp for recommending this restaurant. Service was great, food was delicious. There's a nice romantic feel to the place with the mood lighting. Although the table beside us was a little too close, but a couple glasses of wine and that didn't bother us anymore. My favorite part of the meal was the dessert. We shared the German Chocolate Cake. I loved the taste of coconut with the chocolate. We will definitely be back.
(5)Amy R.
Amazing. Story is just wonderful. It was easy to make a reservation, we were greeted really warmly at the door and my coat was taken. The restaurant is really pretty on the inside. The service was great, wine list was just right and the food was exceptional. We had the fois gras and carrot salad to start then triggerfish and short ribs for main entrees. We didn't have dessert. Will definitely be back, hopefully just the two of us and with friends. This is my new favorite restaurant in KC.
(5)Gary F.
Great food, great service, so, why you ask "a 3???".. well, a $35 corkage fee is really sending a message. Around town corkage ranges from $0, to a pretty normal $15-20, well at $35, message received and we don't have to come back to Story. There are several top end restaurants around town serving as good as / better menus, and much more welcoming to bringing in a bottle.
(3)Nathan W.
Took the wife and her father here for her birthday. We shared three apps and tried each other's entrees, plus wine, dessert and the complimentary amuse bouche. We agreed that the quality of the ingredients and the service were great (though the latter was a lot more informal than, say, the American - not so much worse as a completely different scale). The high notes were the linguini app and the sorbet dessert (particularly the lemon). However the dishes and cost were where the meal fell down. We felt that several plates had an acid/fat imbalance. The duck empanadas were really tasty, but I felt that the amount of unfilled, greasy bread slightly overpowered how good the filling was. The same was true of the Market fish, which I believe was roughy; the corn fritter was large and greasy, and I would have been much happier had it been left off the plate. Without it, the fish was perfectly prepared and played well with the carrots, which had a nice pickle/olive flavor note to provide the acidity. Similarly, the soft shell crab was a great product, but the breading was thick and greasy. The beet salad and short ribs were good, but nothing was transcendent. Perhaps they were simply busy on a Friday night (though not all the tables were full for our 7-9 reservation) and the temp of the fryer dropped and added oil to the dishes, but at ~$70/head without wine, I expect a bit more.
(3)Ann W.
Big fat bummer. Hubby and I had lunch here today for restaurant week and I wasn't nearly as impressed as I was the first time I ate here. First, let me say, the restaurant is beautiful and the hostess was very sweet. Before I ever ate anything, I noted some sort of goober on my fork. Ick. Waiter replaced it. Then we were given the wrong menus and that was only noted by our waiter after our order was placed. Hmm, ok. Otherwise, out waiter was attentive and did a genuinely good job and our food was delivered reasonably quickly. We started off with the duck empanadas (not on the restaurant week menu) and they were really tasty, although a tad bit light on the duck and a bit heavy on the jicama. My hubby had the cauliflower and spinach soup with goat cheese croutons and his soup was a little on the bland side, but the goat cheese croutons were great; crispy on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside. I had the Caesar salad and it was just ok. The romaine lettuce was nice and crispy, but otherwise, a fairly standard Caesar but lighter on the dressing than most. The croutons were replaced with a couple of tiny bits of olive and I kept thinking the salad would have been better with more olive. For our entrees, the hubby had the flank steak and I had the seafood risotto. The hubby's flank steak was tough, as flank steak usually is, but it was otherwise flavorful. My seafood risotto had a nice combination of seafood and there were a couple of bits of scallops that were smooth and tender, just like they should be. Otherwise, the risotto was terribly bland. I kept thinking of things that could be done to make it more flavorful. A hint of lemon and a bit more butter, perhaps? Honestly, the best part of the meal was the bread. The portions were fairly small, so with the appetizer, the amount of food was just right, but I have to think that for about sixty bucks (cost of our meals, appetizer, two orders of tea and tip), we could have had a really fabulous meal at any number of restaurants. This meal was just ok. Also, it never does the ambiance of a restaurant any good when there are tons of little children there. And there were several of them, many of whom were too loud and full of energy to be ignored.
(3)Joanna M.
Went this past Saturday to celebrate my husbands 40th. The waitress was nice, wait time for the food was extremely long, and food was not what I expected. We started out with ceviche...different. ( a man next to us who is a regular commented saying it was different..and another regular that usually finishes hers left it half eaten). I ordered the ribeye and my husband ordered the grouper but they were out and substituted with salmon. My ribeye, practically felt like I had to saw the meat. Definitely not a place to go eat steak...should have tried something else. the salmon, was just salmon. By the time I took my fourth bite of steak, I started to feel sick. By the sixth bite, I told my husband I was feeling super sick. We hurried for the check, and about a mile from the restaurant I vomited. I believe the ceviche was bad, or possibly bad meat. But I was puking my guts out all night. I had read good thing and friends recommended it, we are big foodies, but after my experience, I didn't recommend it to any of my friends and also probably would not go back. I was extremely disappointed. I never complain or want to write bad reviews, but all my other foodie friends said I had to. I was miserably throwing up uncontrollably. And NO I was not drunk, I had two sips of my Syrah and made my husband finish. My husband complained of a little ache but he has stomach of steel. I unfortunately did not last night. Sigh...
(2)Jenna B.
Oh, Story. Here is what I know: nobody does a duck breast finer than this gentleman right here. Here is how I know this (allow me to back up a bit and give a bit of semi-related back story): I went to a special event where Mr. Thorne-Thomsen was the executive chef for the evening. I'd never been to Story, but had heard lovely things through the grapevine. During the cocktail hour for this particular event, I chatted up another couple and asked them where they prefer to dine in KC. This is my very favorite question on this earth. And their reply: "Story. And...Story. That's it." I was like, who says that? Now I know who says that: people with lots of dolla bills and the sweet freedom to eat one hundred pounds of bread and ceviche and duck all the time. Story is DELICIOUS. Anyway, I was first introduced to Chef Thomsen's duck breast at this event thing, and it was ridiculous. And I finally made it into Story with my gentleman friend a week later because I had to have it again (who craves duck breast? Who on this planet?) and this is what I can tell you about what happened: 1. The bread basket is a damn fine display of homemade puffy carby crusty pillowy perfection. I ate it. 2. The bass ceviche is tasty. I mean this in the most literal way: it has many tastes. It is full of taste. First you get onion, then a hint of bass, then jalapeno, then something I cannot identify maybe jicama, then lime, then you get another bite because it is divine. I ate it. 3. If a serving of the foie gras with peaches was the size of my body I would lie down in and die in it. Instead, I ate it. 4. The mint and pea ravioli is outstanding and you must eat it. I did. 5. The duck breast. I cannot even with this. I split this with my gentleman caller and I almost licked the plate. Actually, I did the thing where I swirled my finger around the plate and then I licked my finger. So I basically licked the plate. Also I ate it. The service here is super friendly -- way prompt, but not intrusive. The space is bright and airy and gets lovely and romantic when the sun goes down. Story is the ultimate.
(5)Sherri C.
Dreams do come true! A colleague of mine was willing to be dragged all the way out to Story for what I promised him would be an upscale dining experience. He's hard to impress and has a love of fine wine, whereas i don't drink at all. But at Story, there is fine wine, fantastic food and yes -- scrumptious desserts! Since I could share with someone this second time around, we had the roasted beets and the blue crab fritters for starters. Both were flavorful and delicious. He had the duck breast which he thought was a bit too rare, but still tasty, and I had the drum fish which had a bit more of a fried crust on it than I expected, but was also still tasty. Highlights of the evening, though, were the much anticipated German Chocolate Cake -- a rich and dreamy dark chocolate cake with large dried coconut flakes scattered about it -- and the melt-in-your-mouth poached pears. The chocolate cake was so moist, it reminded me of an exotic cousin of tiramisu. Can you believe I'd be happy to fly out here each season to try out the new menu items? It took all the discipline I could muster to pass on the incredible linguine I had the night before so that I could try other items. My foodie friend was, indeed, impressed and surprised to find such a lovely place in KC. Thank you to our waiter, Jeremy, for great service, too!
(5)Jennifer C.
This restaurant has it all: unforgettable food, great cocktails, decent wine list, never had to wait for a table, and a romantic atmosphere. Pure decadence. I have been here for both dinner, happy hour, and brunch. Dinner review: The only downside to this place is the price tag, but I feel like it is a good place to go when you want to splurge. They have innovative beautiful dishes that sounds like something out of the Food Network. The smoked duck empanadas are to die for! The lamb crepinette and grouper are also amazing. I love the cocktails they serve. Every time I go a lot of the offerings change, which make me want to keep coming back. I love to try new dishes. Happy Hour review: I have only been once but I was convinced that this was more my style: ordering small plates of many dishes to experience more of the restaurant. I really liked the gnocchi I had. My only disappointment was the fromage blanc ravioli they served, although it appears that it is no longer on the menu. I thought this was a great way to experience this place in order to try more of their dishes and save a little bit of money in the process. (Then you have more money to spend on dessert!). It wasn't crowded when I went either, although if word gets out this may change. Brunch review: I found it to be a reasonable price for brunch considering how good it is. I think my husband and I usually spend around $40 for brunch here. Unfortunately, you can only do this on Sunday from 10-2. I wish they offered this on Saturday too. The shrimp and grits are awesome and I love their housemade doughnuts! They also serve my favorite smoked duck empanadas during this time. Everytime I go I have top notch service and a lovely evening. This restaurant has so much charm and grace. I am always surprised that this place isn't more packed. I guess it is a hidden gem in prairie village. All I know is that I can't wait to come back.
(5)Brad D.
Great Food Great Service Awesome Atmosphere This is by far is one of the best overall places to eat in the KC area. The brunch is out of this world and the dinners are fabulous. On top of it all, it's in the quiet Prairie Village and has a small town romantic feel to it. If there is a B&B close by, take your sweetie here for a weekend getaway and thank Yelp when you get back home.
(5)Michael D M.
RUN, don't walk to this terrific restaurant in Prairie Village, KS. We were a group of 7 Saturday night at Story, celebrating our daughter's engagement with the fiance's parents (not awkward at all, great couple, enjoyable time). We started with some cocktails and glasses of wine, then ordered some starters for the table: fromagge blanc ravioli (I didn't get a chance to taste, but was told they were delicious), tuna tar tare (excellent, with just the right spice), smoked duck empanadas (excellent) and a soft-shell crab special for the night (tasty, but the batter on it was a little thick for my preference). Another starter they offered, which I had as my salad was a ceveche, which might have been some of the best ceveche I've ever had. Served as a round with a slight cover of crispy carrots, it was absolutely delicious. My wife also had the ceveche as one of her entree choices, and she also just raved about it. On the the entrees. Most of us had the braised beef short rib served on gnocchi and a very flavorful sauce, which was superb. A nice, rich flavor, which paired well with the Ave Malbec wine we had ordered. One of our guests had the halibut, which was also superb, just the right amount of light breading with a flavorful, flaky center, just the way halibut should taste. We also chose a Freemark Abbey Chardonnay to go with our entrees, as our other guest also had the King Salmon entree, which she said was also delicious. The desert selection was too good to pass up, and I think we might have had one of everything to share: buttermilk pie (a delightful sour cherry ice cream center, the consistency of cheesecake, surrounded by dried cherries), which was the group concensus as the best of the best of the deserts. Other favorites were the fried strawberry pie, a sumptuous German chocolate cake, and the creme brulee. The deserts, entrees and starters were all delicious, and quite, quite flavorful. The restaurant itself is clean and modern, with white textured walls, low lighting, and just the right amount of late afternoon sunlight coming into the front of the restaurant for our 6:45 pm reservation. Chef Carl Thorne-Thomsen has an absolute gem on his hands in Prairie Village. A reasonably limited selection menu, but each and every dish well crafted, and as I've said before, absolutely delicious. In a city with some terrific restaurants (and I've been to many of them) Story really stands out as a must-try place for those into artfully crafted food in a terrific setting.
(5)