02/15/09

$400 dinner with $20 service experience

by chris66062

I have lived in KC for 7 years and had wanted to go to the American for quite a long time. I made Valentine's Day reservations a full 6 weeks early just to be safe. My disappointment started with the wine list--more bottles than I could count at the $180+ range, several embarrassing bottles in the sub $40 range, and not much in between. We received an excellent recommendation for the Cloe & Jeremy, which turned out to be the only positive surprise of the night. The food was definitely superb, and the staff bringing the courses and clearing the table did an excellent job. Our waiter, however, barely returned to the table after taking our initial order. We were not able to order dessert drinks or coffee, and waited nearly 45 minutes after our table was cleared and were out of beverages to get our check. It was as if we turned invisible after we ordered...

I have rarely felt so ignored at a restaurant, especially when I am paying more than I ever have for the experience. I guess I can say I have been here now, but I dare say I will ever return on my own accord. There are far too many other restaurants that in KC that will actually attempt to make my experience special.

• Pros: Phenomenal Food
• Cons: Horrible Service

12/21/08

Iron Chef Food in Disco Decor

by MichaelDaniel

My wife and I went to the American Restaurant for our 10th anniversary. At first it appeared that we had walked through a time warp and were back in the 80's, as we looked up at the decor. We had also been promised a table by the 30 foot tall windows that show a great view of the town, but ended up at a table in the back. My wife, a Syrah wine lover could not find one on the extensive wine list. We did like that they put our names on our menus congratulating us on our anniversary, and as each course came out, including 3 small complimentary courses, we began to realize that the chef, Debbie Gold, and her artisitc, creative, and absolutely delicious food was the star of this restaurant. We ended up enjoying the intimacy our table provided as we could sit right next to each other in the round booth. The service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing and arrogant, and the wine we ended up having was excellent, thanks to the help of the wine steward who guided us to a half bottle similar to what we were looking for. We had a very nice and romantic evening and would like to plan a return trip each year as long as Debbie Gold is working her magic in the kitchen. A nice finishing touch was being able to take our menu home with our names at the top and the chef's autograph on it.

• Pros: Food, food and food
• Cons: Outdated Decor

05/12/08

Great Atmosphere, Great Food, Poor Service

by ClearlySam

Service was slow to nonexistent, arrogant and fake. I have wanted to experience this Restaurant for may years when I visited KC. There were two of us, we arrived at 7:30 on a Thursday, were seated then after a lengthy wait flaged down the bread waiter for menus, then I actually had to get up to ask someone to send our waiter to take our orders. There were perhaps 10 other customers in the restaurant and several service people but none were attentive.

Food was Great, creative, and fresh. But the service was so bad I would never go back - too many other excellent choices in KC.

• Pros: Ambience
• Cons: service

11/16/07

Not worth the extra $$$$$

by la4ever

We went there to celebrate our anniversary, and the first thing we noticed was de decor, the chairs seemed to have com directly from the same company that makes for cheap restaurant buffets...The details on the walls with the lighting reminded us of old Christmas trees...Anyways, the decor is really dated...The service nothing more than average, the server wasn't to confident when it came to recommending a Pinot Noir, but to be fair we are not sure if he didn't know or if he didn't care since we ordered a bottle of wine for "just" $200 and they have for up to $3000...He just had everything memorized, that's all, nothing that really helps you... Food??? Oh Gosh, we ordered de 5-course-meal, nothing out of ordinary, as matter of fact their cheese course was blue cheese and aged cheddar served with store bought (or tasted like it) lavash bread...urghhhhh....Cheesecake factory has more appeling deserts, they serve a tacky caramelized bananas that they caramelize by your table, with a cart and oven top....that was just funny for a so called fine dinning...But it seems the older folks enjoyed, (everyone there was around their 70's).

Anyways, we had fun making fun of ourselves specially after getting a $500 check...

• Pros: the view
• Cons: everything else

11/06/07

The Perfect Evening

by heatherjane

We were treated like royalty, beginning with the valet service and throughout the night. We were promptly seated next to a tall window with a picturesque view of downtown. Our server was very helpful guiding us through the thick winelist. We had 4 courses and each was a delicious sculpture in the perfect portion. We celebrated a birthday and they definitely helped make it a special occasion as they celebrated my guest. The Chef came to our table and ask how we enjoyed our our dinner. We lingered in the longe after dinner and the pianist played our request beautifully. We had a wonderfully elegant and fun evening.

• Pros: Ambience, Romantic, Taste experiences and made our flambe tableside

06/14/07

It's worth it

by naboo

This is the best restaurant I've been to in KC. Be aware of the fact that you are going to spend a lot - but it's worth it. Take your partner and surprise him/her with a dinner right in front of the big windows. It is just fabulous ...

• Pros: Food, ambience, service
• Cons: Expensive

08/10/06

Top-floor views and top-notch service keep diners coming back to Kansas City's most prestigious fine-dining experience.

by Contributor

The Scene
Views of the city's twinkling downtown burst open as clients enter the vaulted dining room. The massive windows and soaring ceiling also lend light and airiness to the deco-inspired space, which is done in white, rose, burgundy and gold. With limited seatings of small parties, he noise level is low and the pace relaxed.

The Food
The restaurant stays true to its name, serving American classics (the exception is the chef's tasting menu, which is bolder and changes nightly). Meaty scallops--undersea steaks, really--are complimented by lush parsnips that defy their humble origins. The four-hour veal shank falls off the ample bone and the filet itself is robust and comes in a sea of cool colors: pale-green ravioli and ringed by red beets. To finish, the pear in red wine--served with a dollop of creme fraiche ice cream--is an exotic blend of sweet and sour.

08/04/06

Romantic and Well Worth It!!!

by akb2748

Eating at the American Resturant was one of the best dining experiences I've had in Kansas City! Although the menu is small the food there is absoutly fantastic! The best part however is getting to see the beautiful view of the city at sundown. I would definitly go back, however request to sit near the windows when making your reservations!

• Pros: Beautiful view, romantic, great food
• Cons: Red velvet everywhere!, Pricy

07/18/06

Best of the Best in KC

by rodhutton

Extraordinary food, superb service, a beauitiful view from the 30' tall window walls. The steaks were prime beef and the seafood was very fresh. This is one restaurant in my opinion that is worth the extra cost. Take your time and enjoy this one.

• Pros: Service, freshness and preparation of the food, atmosphere

05/18/04

DELICIOUS

by dg52080

The American is an excellent dining experience. Kansas Citians who say you do not get enough food for the money need to refine their palate and waistlines. Come here to enjoy the unique and fabulous food. There are plenty of all you can eat buffets around town for those who think more food equals a better meal.

• Pros: Wine List, Presentation