Doesn't Recommend

Jencat

Joined 3 years ago

Terrible food and service!!. Cannot express how horrible the food and service were for a bill of over $200 per couple.

We left hungry and very grumpy after 3 hours (that is how long it takes to get drink refills, and don't expect to get your wine with your dinner!). The food was inedible.

Worst service ever! Worst food ever! A complaint and refusal to pay by one of the couples resulted in a reduction to the bill for the price of their meals. The rest of us received no response to our (polite and quiet) complaints. In retrospect, I wish we had all refused to pay and been a little less polite. With the 22% required gratuity the bill was over $200 per couple and we needed to stop at McDonalds on the way home.

Doesn't Recommend

twicks

Joined 6 years ago

Was very disappointed. First, there were not very many patrons in the restaurant and we were seated next to another couple. We felt like we were right on top of them and asked to be moved. It was not a romatic setting like I thought it would be.

The food was not very desirable. We had pasta and pork dishes. Let's say that I've had better frozen dinners. Been there and done that. Will not return.

Doesn't Recommend

cb1000

Joined 6 years ago

Disappointing for the price. My wife and I had decided to treat ourselves to a romantic evening meal and made reservations at The Raphael Restaurant with hopes of a traditional atmosphere and inspiring food. The evening started well - the live piano music was entertaining and wait staff were polite and friendly - but the disappointment started as the food began to appear. We started nibbling on the cold, limp baguette and quickly put this aside - first time in a while I've been disappointed in the pre appitiser bread! Appetisers were not offensive but again dissapointing. The salad that followed looked as though it had come straight from the prepackaged section of the local supermarket. The beef tenderloin I had for the entree was tender and tasty although a little too salty on the outside. The asparagus was crispy to the point of being undercooked. For desert we shared a creme brulee - my wife's favorite. As we dug in we were both a little surprised that the surface of the brulee was cold - suggesting it hadn't been freshly prepared. The overall experience was disappointing - we too burst into laughter as we left. I would love to be able to recommend this place as the building has great architecture and the entertainment pleasant - its just the food wasn't that great of an experience - not for the price charged.

Doesn't Recommend

lgood01

Joined 7 years ago

Avoid it -- There's no romance to be found here.. My husband treated me to a dinner at the Raphael for our 10th anniversary because of its reputation as one of the most romantic places in KC. We were sorely disappointed in all respects. The decor is dated -- think your great grandmother's house -- heavy green and maroon tapestry and wallpaper, finished off with a garish floral rug. The booth we sat in was encircled with worn green "pleather" and the green and maroon wallpaper has clearly seen better days. The servers were lovely -- in fact, the bus boy was the best part of the experience as he was attentive and courteous. To be fair, the piano singer was also a nice touch, but that ends the positive experience. For the non-smoker in KC, this is definitely not the place. Even sitting in the furthest booth away from the bar, I walked out with the stench of someone else's cigarette smoke! The clientele is very mature -- not the place for the hip and happening crowd. The most disappointing aspect was the food. Large, bland portions of fish and meat. Desert was no better -- I think they tried to pass off cool whip and jello pudding as chocolate mousse. After beaming at my husband for an hour, I had to tell him that we needed to leave and have dinner elsewhere. He leapt at the chance and we headed straight for a lovely, very romantic spot in Parkville and started with a fresh dinner. We laughed and talked until the wee hours of the night -- at another restaurant.

Recommends

gjheymach

Joined 7 years ago

Quiet, elegant and good food. As opposed to the former opinion, let me share that this is an outstanding find in KC -- IF you want a place with mood, quality food and a place where you can hear the conversation. It is not stuffy but it is class. It is not a "joint" nor is it trying to be the next pseudo-"American Restaurant"(a very expensive place to go when someone else pays the tab). The wine list is excellent and the wait staff are bright and appropriate. I guarantee a pleasant evening!

Doesn't Recommend

evelyn4105

Joined 9 years ago

Anniversary/birthday dinner. Using this websites recommendation we wanted to have a special, romantic dinner to celebrate our 5th anniversary and my birthday. We arrived and were told the specific kind of table we reserved was not available. After being seated elswhere they suddenly claimed that what we wanted was available. We were seated so close to the kitched door that all the parading of staff back and forth was very distracting. I would never recommend this to any of our friends.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Spend a romantic evening lingering over sophisticated Continental cuisine in this intimate hotel restaurant.. The Scene
Unobtrusive servers in black tuxedo pants and white shirts serve your elegant meal on white linen tablecloths. Enjoy cocktails in the adjoining lounge on busier weekends, while a pianist plays soft, contemporary tunes. Alcove booths are available by request, and views of the neighboring Fairmont Hotel fountain add just the right touch of refinement. Guests often enjoy a gentle after-dinner stroll in the classic Country Club Plaza district before retiring to an elegant room at the Raphael Hotel--cozy European-style lodging that houses the restaurant.

The Food
A fine wine list enhances the exquisite menu. Signature dishes include pistachio-encrusted salmon, rack of lamb and crab cakes, which are almost always included on the weekly rotating menu. Chocolate mousse or fruit tarts make sweet finales. The lesser-known breakfasts are a steal. Pancake and waffle combinations are all under $10, even with eggs and a breakfast meat.