Restaurant review: Story at the Village Shops - Prairie Village Post, Julia Westhoff

Story, the latest entry into Prairie Village’s recently booming restaurant scene, opens its doors today — and based on a preview meal Monday night, the neighborhood looks to have landed a top notch tenant.

It’s definitely priced as the destination for a nice evening out — not a place to grab a casual bite — but from our experience, your chances of having a memorable meal seem plenty high.

Proprietors Carl and Susan Thorne-Thomsen have created an atmosphere that’s welcoming, bright and sophisticated. The white walls contrast starkly with the black seats and floor, and wide windows and a spacious floor plan create an airy environment with spots ideal for both groups and couples. A posh bar and outdoor area completely disguise this restaurant’s past as a clothing store.The menu is diverse, with adventurous twists on classic dishes. We sampled the duck empanadas with jicama…:

…and the meatball and pea soup, both of which were very tasty (though we found ourselves somewhat covetous of our neighbor’s selection of the ravioli).

The braised beef cheek with smoked gnocchi was rich and flavorful:

The lamb two ways was slightly less successful, but still a winner:

But — and this is saying a lot — the desserts might have taken the cake (so to speak). We loved the chocolate mousse, layered with truffle cake and a crisp cookie crust, served with coffee ice cream and garnished with black cherries. Nom nom nom: