The Roasterie Story Brunch

Story

Prairie Village, KS » The Village

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You may remember, but last month, our friend and General Manager of Story invited us out for a special brunch out the restaurant. It was a five-course breakfast paired with Roasterie coffees, but you could order off their regular menu as well. I am the only one who splurged for the tasting menu AND a Bloody Mary. The French Toast and Chicken and Waffles on the regular menu were amazing, but really, everything was beautiful. Five coffees, even half cup tasting pours, were a bit much for me though, and it was difficult coordinating the timing with the kitchen. We even saw some familiar faces, Nancy and Michael Smith, out with their family (last picture, above).

On a side note, the busboy, someone we noticed when they first opened for his nervous energy and saggy pants, is getting our thumbs up. He was a bit green and there was some breakage during those early weeks. But during this meal, we were the clumsy ones. He was at our table immediately, expertly and quickly removing all the linens and resetting the table. His pants were firmly up on his hips, he was friendly and we just want to say, job well done!

See their full brunch menu here.

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Full Disclosure: Sloane treated us to brunch. All of it. And it was so good. Thanks Sloanie!

chris & jo ellen

Chris & Jo Ellen | Servers

Starker's and Story

Years of Industry Service: Chris (8) / Jo Ellen (14)

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You will be hard-pressed to find Chris and Jo Ellen apart. Married for eight years and working together for most of that time, they even spend their time off with one another. Set up by mutual friends, they met on a blind date. Each had asked to be introduced to someone and finally, one and one were matched perfectly in this adorable pair. They typically work the same schedules, splitting their time between two chefs, two cities in two states and ever-changing menus. "It's a nice change of scenery," Chris says while Jo Ellen remarks, "It's fun to work with two menus and two wine lists. It's always something new."

Chris and Jo Ellen work hard so they really enjoy their leisure time. They love to go out to eat and "abuse the wait staff." They're working on their house, enjoy cooking and love wine, which they like to study. And they travel as often as possible – don't be surprised, but mainly it's to eat...and drink wine. A recent trip took them to Dallas for Taste of the NFL, where Chris says there was a foot of snow. Next month, they are planning a trip to Santa Barbara and they for sure, have a reservation to eat at acclaimed French restaurant, Bouchon. They also love music and try to do a music cruise once a year. They said they might get a dog, but it was followed by a big "but".

They live a Jersey Shore kind of life. "Pool. Gym. Travel." I don't know about you guys, but I'm completely jealous. Work hard and play hard. Keep it up guys.

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Chris and Jo Ellen were working at Starker's when we caught up with them.

  Make KC Better » Jo Ellen would like better public transportation while Chris wants to change the weather (too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter). 

Sunday Brunch

Our good friend Sloane and fellow Supper Clubber invited us to a special Sunday brunch tomorrow at Story. It's a four-course prix fixe with coffee pairings from The Roasterie. I unashamedly try to never get up early on weekends to cook for myself and am a huge, huge fan of weekend brunches. At restaurants. (I only get up early for estate sales. Priorities, people.) So I'm super excited to go tomorrow. Tina will be there too and we'll be doing a post later for the blog. If you're there, hopefully we'll see you too! You can see the full menu here.

Photos by Matt Kocourek, provided by Story.

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Full disclosure: Sloane said she'd buy us brunch tomorrow so we said okay!  But this is not a paid post.

We just like to help our friends promote whatever they need to and be successful at their jobs. 

dominique p.

Dominique P. | Pastry Chef

Story

Years of Industry Service: 13

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Dominique's first job in a restaurant was not in the kitchen, it was in the front of the house, as a busser. She went to college to study education with goals of being an kindergarten art teacher, but then she decided she wanted to be an executive chef. Dominique changed her mind once again when she actually got into the kitchen. However, she did fall in love with the pastry-making side of the business and says, "No one turns down dessert." She says she has been lucky to work with chefs who taught her a lot. Because Dominique does not have a culinary degree, she says, "Honestly, I have issues with that all the time." However, she has gotten something just as valuable: on the job training from some of the best chefs in the country, like James Beard winner Michael Smith and her current chef, Carl Thorne-Thomsen. As a self-described perfectionist, she says, "I put my heart and soul into it. It's hard sometimes because I always want it to be better." She also says that because baking is so scientific, she has to take everything into account. "So many things can affect why your bread didn't rise that day."

Dominique's father is Hispanic and her mother is Irish and English. She speaks some Spanish so she surprises people who don't realize her background until they hear her name. She is a girly-girl who loves jewelry, accessories and dressing up, but with work taking up most of her days, she doesn't get a chance to show that side of herself very often. "I have so many girl things at home, but I never get to wear them because I'm here. I dress up to go the the grocery store." Dominique loves making ice cream and is always eating bits of German Chocolate cake.

  Make KC Better » I want the food scene to grow more. 

 More diverse foods and more late night. 

sloane

Sloane | General Manager

Story

Years of Industry Service: 20+

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Sloane recently jumped onto the management side of the restaurant business. Formerly a server at Le Fou Frog, Sloane is now in charge of Prairie Village's newest restaurant, Story. She went from a laissez-faire, crazy, knick-knack filled environment to one of sharp, clean lines and ultra-modern sophistication. From wearing whatever she wanted to work and sometimes in costume to wearing black suits. And she went from working regular serving shifts to 80-hour weeks."It's been a challenge and there's a lot more pressure," she says, "But I surround myself with people who know what they're doing."

Sloane, a Southern flower from Fort Smith, Arkansas, moved to Kansas City nine years ago. Although Sloane misses being close to her family, she likes Kansas City for our art scene and our green scene. And by green, she means all the trees, parks and green spaces that we are so lucky to have and enjoy. If you've lived in Kansas City your whole life, you might take for granted how much green we're surrounded by, but for visitors, it's one of the things they notice right away and often remark upon.

She has two nicknames, L'il Bun and L'il Cheese. Her husband is Big Bun. She got the nickname L'il Cheese from Jeff Joe, one of her best friends, because she was so cheesy. Her hair is crazy-curly in its natural state. She has a personality-filled and spoiled little dog named Boudreaux. She collects cookbooks and is obsessed with food magazines. Her favorite magazine is Southern Living. Sloane and husband, Matt, also from Arkansas, cook amazing meals and enjoy visiting local restaurants on their days off together.

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Note: We haven't been so lucky as to meet her parents, but we have met her in-laws Miss Becky and Mr. Jack of Little Rock, Arkansas (Matt's parents). Sorry, Sloane, we just had to hijack part of your post to say how much we love them!

  Make KC Better » Shorter winters. 

food story

Story

Prairie Village, Kansas

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Here's a peek at the newly opened Story. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch there this afternoon and got a chance to see our friend Sloane (formerly of Le Fou Frog) at work. She is the General Manager and we are so proud of her and the great new job! The space was a stark black and white, very modern and a bit bare, but Sloane said black and white landscape photography will be on the walls soon. It did feel a bit like sitting in a contemporary art museum. The china, glassware and silverware were elegant and sophisticated, a nice canvas for the beautiful and delicious food created by chef/proprietor Carl Thorne-Thomsen. 

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the menu, printed on a textured paper, was easy

to read and had a nice, clean design

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a sweet little two-top right by the front door

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rhubarb sorbet, part of a trio

along with honey and strawberry, $6

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smoked duck empanadas, $9

avocado puree, black beans, jicama

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ceviche, $12

North Atlantic fluke, pine nuts, celery, cilantro 

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pork burger, $9

burger, confit, bacon, braised chard, ricotta cheese, bbq suace

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their elegant glassware and flowers

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story logo, the kerning drives me a little batty,

and yes, we have to call them out on it

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Full disclosure: Sloane bought us dessert and we are not ashamed

to say that we took full advantage of her and ordered three.

Photos by Linh Trieu....Tina will be back soon!