By OWEN MORRIS
The 801 Chop House has more menus than some restaurants have items: a fine wines menu, a wines-by-the-glass menu, a bar menu, a fresh catch menu, a Sunday prix-fixe menu, a dessert menu and finally, a menu. Each is printed on a separate sheet of heavy paper; the fine wines menu is six pages with a six-point font. It's almost as if 801 Chop House is trying to show off.
Actually, 801 Chop House is showing off. It makes no apologies for its train-magnate/oil-baron prices.
Everything is a la carte, except the Sunday pre-fixe which is $29.95 for three courses. Much has been made about 801 Chop House's most expensive cut of steak, the 36-oz. porterhouse for $76.95. What jumped out at me more was the price of its least expensive steak — $32.95 for a six-ounce petite filet mignon. 801 Chop House just skipped the $20s; there's no skirt-steak or french-dip so a diner can discreetly order a cheap entree. This is an all-or-nothing place.
801 first opened on Halloween night, but as general manager/sommelier Sheri Osborn explained, the restaurant is still getting its feet. "At 1:30 I was looking around the room and being like, 'There's no way we're going to have this place open by 4.' But we threw the doors open and have been running ever since."
Osborne worked for the original 801 Chop House in Des Moines for 13 years. The company brought to Kansas City over Labor Day weekend and, she says, "I got six weeks to enjoy myself and go out and eat in Kansas City. I tried some other places ... We have a lot to live up too. It's a little scary."
Osborne stressed that what makes 801 Chop House different will be the extensive wine list, the service, the sides like lobster mashed potatoes and hashbrowns with aged cheddar. And the steaks. Head chef Christopher Dennis, himself a transplant from the Omaha 801 Chop House, said that all of the steaks are aged 21 to 28 days and, of course, are USDA Prime. "We also have four different kinds of oysters, five different species of fin fish.... There's an emphasis on more than just steak."
While this economy isn't a steak-house one, 801 Chop House benefits not only from a prime location in the Power & Light District (71 E. 14th St) but also the closing of two of its competitors in the past month. Plus, if there's one thing Kansas Citians will also spend money on, it's good steak. 801 Chop House believes it has the best.
Showing 1-3 of 3
I did not have a great experience with the chophouse. After spending close to $2000 I sat and sent an email to the restaurant.
To my surprise I received in the mail just two days after my email not only an apology note from the General Manager that took full responsibility for the service me and my party received (gasp) but ALSO enough gift certificates to hand out to everyone present at my table.
Not only does customer service like this thrill me, but it also ensures the 801 Chophouse will see me and my friends again.
Sheri should be commended for her excellent customer service.
I love this restaurant! I am from Des Moines and just had the corn dogs. The Chef who started them I guess is in KC now. I have been back at least 4 times since they opened, and have never been disappointed.
I met Sheri and what a sweetheart, I also met the Chef, however I didnt have the moxy to ask him out on a date!
I've not been to the KC location yet, but if it's up to the standards of the original in Des Moines we're all in for a treat. The steaks were as good or better than any prime beef steakhouse in KC with more interesting appetizers and sides. If they brought their "lobster corn dogs" to KC (a dish close to the corny heart of Des Moines) I may never leave the restaurant.
like
dislike
