Charisse is a pretty little restaurant down in the Power and Light area of Kansas City. The service was good and the ambiance was nice but over-all, our food was quite salty across the board. We enjoyed the mussels in saffron broth with grilled bread. The Bolognese pasta and Impossible burger were both well prepared but very salty. Happy to give it another try though! read more

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I'll start with my pros. First, it's adorable in there and I love the city location. It feels very urban and authentic in that way. The service is also wonderful. Our water was kind and quick on all counts. Now when it comes to the food, the menu looks great. A lot of unique options that could really allow for each dining experience to take on a new look. That said, of the three items we ordered, they were all heavily salted to the point that they were almost un-finish-able. Now this does happen, so I don't want this one experience to dictate whether or not I return, but it was interesting that all three dishes were like that. Additionally, we went during spooky season and they were decorated for Christmas so that was a little weird but like...cute? I would love to give it another try at some point so will update if/when that happens! read more

We decided we wanted to try an upscale restaurant within walking distance from our hotel and we found Charisse. We had to make a reservation which was fine. When we arrived there was one other group who looked like they were having a private party. Once that group left, which was shortly after we arrived, we were the only ones left in the restaurant. It was nice and quiet. We felt like we had our own private dinner, it was amazing. I tried the French onion soup, and my colleague ordered the meatball tempura. I had never heard of meatball tempura, and it was very good. The French onion soup was ok, it was piping hot throughout, but I felt like it needed more cheese. For my entrée I wanted to try something I don't normally order so I ordered the Bolognese. It was amazing!! Very flavorful. My colleagues ordered entrees with fries, so I tried some of their fries and they were the best fries I have ever had!! I want to go back just to order fries, lol We also tried the lemonade which were hand squeezed and they were good! There was one server the entire time and she was great! I definitely recommend if you're ever in the downtown KC area!! read more

Charisse - Bucatini Bolognese* - French Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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I love the outdoor seating in good weather! I love their burger with blue cheese! And beautiful salads. You don't need to be a wine lover to love this charming restaurant! Food, service ambiance - all 5*'s!! read more

We came here for a business lunch on a Friday. It took 45 minutes to get our order ended up just getting it to go. We had the same friendly waiter as last time. unless you have nothing to do for the rest of the day don't bother. I experienced the same problem the last time I was here several months ago. read more

Lovely Saturday night date night at Charisse. This was my first time here and the location and ambiance is very nice and quaint. The service was efficient as well. The prime rib was our favorite and extremely flavorful! We will be adding this to our list of nice date night places for sure! read more

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Great lunch spot! Service is friendly. Atmosphere is relaxed but upscale. Food is always good. read more

Charisse - Chicken Club - French Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Ambience, service, and menu selection all excellent. Misses were the music and wine selection. We loved the space. A mix of modern and old brick. But the music they played was mostly a mix of rap and hip hop...just an odd choice for the restaurant concept of French and new American. It didn't fit the location. I was excited by a lot of the menu items. We ended up ordering a steak and pommes frites with a side of veg (all executed well) and the bolognese. The pasta was dynamite and had such a depth of flavor. Also tried the mussels in saffron cream as a starter--the PEI mussels were perfectly cooked and it was a very generous portion. I liked the broth but I didn't taste the saffron at all. They had about 7 signature cocktails and a few beers, and a few wines by the glass. I was pretty shocked that they didn't offer a wider wine selection, especially having a French influence. read more

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What a terrific experience... An enjoyable meal in the financial district of Kansas City. While vacationing in the area, we stopped by for an early dinner on a Saturday night. The service from Colin was excellent, and the food was quite special. I loved the onion soup, which was ideal for someone who enjoys the taste of soup and the onions, and doesn't enjoy copious amounts of cheese that generally come on onion soup - The soup had just the right amount of cheese. I had the bolognese pasta entree, which was clearly freshly made pasta in a wonderful sauce. Reservations were easy to make online, and it appears that as the night gets later the reservations are likely needed. This is one of those special places that if I lived in the area, I would likely go to frequently. read more

We were staying at the Hampton Inn nearby and decided to have dinner at this lovely restaurant. It is inside a bank building on Walnut Street, so you can enter through the bank building or directly off the street. The ambiance is nice with plenty of lights and nice music. Service was great from our server, Colin. We started with French onion soup and the duck wontons. Both appetizers were excellent. For entree, we had the pasta bolongse and the mussels. The pasta dish was fresh and plentiful. The mussels were steamed in white wine and herbs. They also came with four good-sized pieces of grilled bread for dipping into the delicious broth. We were too full for dessert but maybe next time. read more

We had never heard of this place! We find it searching for restaurants on google maps and decided to make a reservation to try something new. We walked in and off the bat it was interesting vibes. The space is cool but there were some people wearing work out clothes, some wearing suits and we were dressed more on the nicer side. The bar was playing rap music but turned down low. We just couldn't figure out the vibe of the place. We ordered two starters and I will say they were amazing! We got the duck wontons and the Korean empanadas. Holy moly those were both so good! For dinner we ordered the filet and the flank steak. The waiter suggested pairing both with the veal-demi glaze. I don't know if it was the glaze or the rub on the meat but we both thought our food was so salty! The meat was still good and cooked perfectly like we ordered but but were rather salty. I ordered an espresso martini to drink which is my go-to cocktail. One of the ingredients is vanilla and honestly I thought the whole drink tasted like vanilla extract. I was only able to take a few sips and couldn't drink any more. Overall were kind of left conflicted. Downtown needs more restaurants and not just fast casual. I wanted to love this place but it left me kind of disappointed and unsure of the vibe. read more

We booked a reservation for 7 for my husbands birthday and had the entire restaurant to ourselves. The music was very classy and festive with a touch of jazz. Our server Alan was incredibly pleasant and patient, giving us the right amount of time in between choosing drinks, appetizers and dinner - we never felt rushed. We ordered the large charcuterie board and it easily fed 7 as the starter. I ordered the French onion soup and a Caesar salad and was pleased. I tried a little bit of my friends gnocchi and it was so good with the perfect texture and flavor of garlic. I also ordered the strawberry cocktail and espresso martini. Both were delicious, easy to drink and a great price. I went to Paris earlier in the year and the food resembled the same flavors. I will definitely come back here! read more

Charisse - a view of a restaurant with tables and chairs - French Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Went for lunch. Service was slow and nonchalant. Server seemed overwhelmed. She was the only one on the floor so, my experience has little merit. Food was amazing. Worth the time and money spent. Wine and drink list are, so-so. . I was hoping for an elevated serving experience but was let down in that only instance. read more

The food is very good. However, I went in by myself tonight and the restaurant was practically empty on a Saturday night and I was told they couldn't accommodate me. At 6pm. A table for one. And there were only two other parties in the restaurant at the time. It's really a shame. I've recommended this place to so many people but I will not be doing that anymore. Do not count on getting in if you plan to go here read more

Friendly staff. Nice ambiance. Food was amazing and priced well. Street or garage parking. read more

Charisse - Appetizer - French Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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A stylish bistro showcasing French & New American flavors in a polished setting with high ceilings and a great vibe. They played some good music, which made for a chill vibe. Went here for an after work event. We had the back area as we were a party of 16. The front area wasn't very busy but had a handful of patrons. We were seated promptly, and an excellent service began. We had an array of drinks at the table from margaritas, old fashions, and dirty martinis to the simple vodka club soda. All the drinks were good as there weren't any complaints. That's always a good start. The food was delicious and plated well. Lol. Yes, I watch a lot of Master Chef. The menu has something for everyone...meat lovers, seafood lovers, and even vegetarians. Give it a try, and you won't be disappointed. read more

Been in KC last 3 days and looking for Mussels. Searched "mussels" in Yelp and Bingo, there they were at Charisse..and only 900 ft from Ambassador Hotel in Kansas City. I Sat at the bar....Ordered house cab, mussels with cream shallot sauce... and bolognese. it was all very good! Colin my bartender and server explained how Charlisee made everything from scratch at the restaurant. I liked the music Colin and Tara were playing! So down to earth. I've been in Kansas City and did not want to hear jazz on the 3rd night.. I liked the music at Charisse. Thanks Colin and Tara for a good experience at Charisse! read more

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Have you ever had a piece of beef that is so good that it literally melts like a piece of butter in your mouth? If you haven't, you can get that here at Charisse! But in all seriousness, the food and beverage quality at this place is top notch - five stars! Came here for a celebration dinner, and ordered a round of cocktails to start. Unfortunately, they were out of ginger beer (how?!) so the ginger beer cocktails section was just a tease on the menu. As it was 100 degrees of hot outside, I opted for the Aviation - say hello to a fancy version of purple drank! It was floral, with lavender and gin, and perfectly refreshing! We ordered escargots as an appetizer and the presentation was very cute - nice ratio of escargot and mushroom, and the sauce was buttery and quite garlicy - luckily i like garlic but it was indeed quite overpowering. I ordered the steak frites medium rare - hello beauty! The plate is not for faint of heart! Loads of delicious and perfectly cooked fries, and a steak so good I could eat the whole cow! My bf ordered the filet mignon and that piece of fine meat was cooked so perfectly that it deserved a victory happy dance! It was accompanied with some potatoes and a carrot... but the meat stole the show. Alas, the food and beverages were the stars of the show because the service and wait time fell a little short. The food took a long time to make, which was totally worth it, but while we were waiting it felt like the service as choppy and not quite attentive. I think the restaurant was short handed because our server was also the bar tender and so he had to juggle making drinks for all the tables as well as tending to them. The whole meal took around 2.5 hours... slightly longer than expected. Other tables that got seated after us, left before us as well. Regardless, I will be back to try Charisse's Happy Hour and brunch! Dinner seems like more of a special occasion type of meal here, but we had a great time and some delicious eats and bevvies! Definitely worth a try! read more

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Five stars all around. The location is easy to find street parking. The interior is classy and cozy, it does not feel pretentious at all. The service was excellent, even with what seemed to be a short staff with a full restaurant. The food is amazing. I had the French Onion Soup, which was delightful. It was a perfect temperature. My partner had the tomato bisque, which was delicious. I had the flank steak cooked medium with Roquefort sauce and fries on the side. This was outstanding and cooked perfectly. I wish I could have this meal every day. My partner had the Ribeye cooked medium with the Veal Demi-Glace and roasted vegetables. He was nearly licking his plate clean. Then we chose the Guinness Chocolate Cake for dessert. It was okay, but I don't think that's any fault of the chef, just not my preferred dessert. read more

The interior and location were great! We went here for the flash happy hour they were doing featuring J. Rieger cocktails. The drinks were pretty good. I got the Roseteani and my husband got the Manhattan. Mine was a bit too sweet and he loved his. The reason I'm giving two stars is because the service was terrible. I understand that there's a shortage of servers right now but then maybe don't throw an event where you will be extremely busy if you don't have the servers to accommodate this? I felt bad for them and it's not the servers fault, it's the management's fault for setting them up for failure. We were there for an hour and a half and only received one drink after waiting for 45 minutes for that. We ordered another drink and food but end up cancelling it because it took another 30+ minutes. This place has great potential, but this experience wasn't it. read more

I've only been here for lunch a couple of times, but each time it has been a damn good lunch. I came during Restaurant Week in 2016, but as is often the case with Restaurant Week, some of the menus are just okay and I ended up ordering off the regular menu. I had a Charisse burger with a side of veggies and it was phenomenal. Very rich for a burger; thick, a little greasy, and topped bacon jam. Insanity. You can see why I got the veggies on the side instead of fries. I was in again recently and got the French Dip and dare I say it's "must-order." The shaved rib-eye steak, the very light jalapeno flavoring, the rich au jus sauce, and the soft baguette bread made this the most memorable French Dip I've had in town. The atmosphere here is cool too with a French brasserie style. It's the opposite of stuffy but it's also very nice. Upscale and relaxed. It was a busy Friday my last time in and the service reflected a big lunch rush, but it was barely noticeable as I buried my face into that delicious sandwich. read more

Charisse - French Dip (lunch) - French Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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The prix is to die for! So many delicious options in a very classy atmosphere! You can get the prix with or without wine pairings. I had the smoked salmon, Caesar salad, lamb chops, and creme brûlée. The best experience I have every had at a restaurant. So flavorful, and the pasta is perfection! Definitely need to come here again to try all their options. read more

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Enjoyed a pre-show dinner with 3 friends and we were all very impressed with our meals...everything was beautifully prepared and served in a very warm and comfortable dining room. I had the best salmon I have ever had and can't wait to go back. Highly recommend-you will not be disappointed! read more

Our expectations were set moderately high. Both the food and the service managed to surpass them. The drinks were great. The house salad, tomato bisque and the French Onion soup were all very tasty. The four of us all ordered the Ribeye Steak. It was like an Oprah Show episode. "You get a Ribeye! And you get a Ribeye! Everybody gets a Ribeye!!!" We all agreed that we had just devoured one of the best Ribeye steaks we've ever had. The polish is off, we ordered and shared two of the Guinness Chocolate Cake with Irish Cream and Whiskey Carmel deserts. DELECTABLE! We will be back for more. read more

I heart Charisse. When I used to live downtown I would come here for lunch or happy hours. It's rarely ever busy (no reservations required) and the menu is interesting and delicious. The pommes frites are my favorite item on their menu (also available during HH). You must try them. I also tried my favorite wine EVER last night - Siduri Pinot noir from Willamette valley. The salmon is always cooked perfectly, as is any meat on the menu. For me, the proteins really shine. The vegetables that came with my dish were overly seasoned and heavy on the thyme (I literally drank a liter of water once I got home!). The creme brûlée is small but decadent. This is a great restaurant to come with friends or a date. It's not loud, you can carry a conversation, and service is attentive and friendly. read more

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Wonderful! One of our best dining experiences in Kansas City. From the Yelp reviews, we expected a good experience here. But it exceeded our expectations. We had reservations for dinner at 5 pm, when they begin serving dinner. But we arrived earlier for the happy hour, which is from 4 pm to 6 pm. The happy hour choices are a great deal. We got the mussels, the gravlax, and the cheese plate at the happy hour discounts. They were excellent. We also got a couple of glasses of the house wine at the happy hour discount prices. Unfortunately the house wine is not so good. It is a low-end French table wine. They would do better with a California box house wine at the same price and better quality. From the regular menu, we ordered the halibut and the crab cakes. We also got the Pot de Creme dessert and the French Press coffee along with a Martini and an Aug Sauvage Cognac. Although the house wine was disappointing, everything else was really outstanding. What especially astounded us was the the seafood. The mussels and the halibut were the best we have ever had in the Midwest. We usually avoid shellfish in the Midwest, but the mussels here were a match for mussels we have had on the Gulf Coast. The halibut was a match for the halibut we have had in Alaska. We were told that the mussels and halibut just came in fresh today; and when they said fresh, they were not exaggerating. Also the preparations were excellent. Perhaps we were lucky on that day. We cannot guarantee that the seafood would be that good everyday here. But on the day we were there, we were very, very impressed with the seafood. The dining room and the service were excellent, and to our surprise the parking was exceptionally convenient for downtown. The restaurant is in a small mall, which is inside the Commerce Bank building on Walnut Street. That building has its own parking garage with entrance from 1025 Main Street. From inside the garage, you can walk directly into the mall containing the restaurant. No need even to walk out onto the street. In addition, the restaurant validates the parking, so the parking is free. With the exception of the house wine, this restaurant exceeded our expectations ---- in every way. Yes, we will be back --- for sure! read more

I strongly recommend the french dip. Note that you can only pick one side. I thought it was two and I got the soup and he fries. The soup is charged $5..... The steak is just ok, no worth trying if you are a big fan of steak or simply you are from Texas. Overall 3.5 read more

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A great place you have to seek out in downtown KC. It's inside of an office building on the first floor at 10th and Walnut with really tasty food! I'm guessing it's new to KC as we were the only ones in the place at 7:45 pm on a Saturday. Loved the menu, loved the food, loved the ambience. I had the French onion soup and french dip sandwich...both INCREDIBLE! My husband had the (unusually different) Caesar salad and the papardlle pasta and both were fresh and flavorful! We loved the food so very much and the ambience was modern, quiet and inviting. We will most definitely come back to try the many other enticing menu offerings! If i have to give a negative comment it would be that since the dining room and bar area were void of other customers, the crowd of young people in jeans and worn t-shirts at the end of the bar presumably letting it all hang out after their shift (???) boozing it up didn't support the ambience. If they were in fact staff maybe they should hang out in the kitchen or wait until customers are gone to belly up to the bar. Additionally, there was not a proper hostess to greet and seat us. A young man came from the back dressed in jeans and a polo, seated us and was also our server. While he was attentive, friendly and made great recommendations i kind of prefer more of a professional appearance and greeting when i travel into downtown and seek out a new place. Just a personal opinion, not necessarily everyone's, and certainly not a reason not to dine here! Overall i would recommend dining here! You won't be sorry!! read more

Ended up here after our original choice of dining leisure was unavailable and I'm not totally sad about it. While I'd love to give it 5 stars, I can't because it took SO LONG to get everything. But, let's start from the beginning. The ambience is top notch. The decor is modern and chic. The music was great: a mix of soft hip hop and R&B; most of the songs we knew and had a hard time keeping from singing along with. The lighting was soft and the environment cozy (which was perfect on a night where it was 6° outside!). The tables had a small tea light candle with a prefilled water container and prefilled glasses of water (didn't like that because who knows how long it had been there and what could've gotten into it prior to our arrival). Here's where it became an issue. It took 15-20 minutes before our server even introduced himself to get drink orders. That took 10 mins to get. We ordered an appetizer and our meals when he returned. 30 mins later, our appetizer arrives which legit rocked my world. Two words for you: meatball tempura. One of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. 30-35 mins later, our meal arrived which was also freaking decadent. At this point, we wanted to have time to do the other things we had planned so we aren't able to get dessert like we wanted because who knows how long we would've had to wait for that. We ended up asking for our check about another half hour after getting our food. All in all, you won't be disappointed by going here but go somewhere else if you have nothing else to do afterward because they're not in any hurry to get to you. Staff was very nice and I don't know if they were short staffed but we spent a good TWO HOURS here. Will I go back? Yes, but I'll make sure to go early or plan on being there for a long time. Side note: they describe this as French American cuisine. The "French" description is more a nod to rather than focal point. It's higher-level American food at best. Still delicious but not French. read more

Excellent dinner. Caesar salad was outstanding. Service was great. Atmosphere quiet and relaxing.

Food was amazing. Waiter was friendly and attentive. Loved the atmosphere. GF and vegan options.

I am usually sympathetic to restaurant owners. So I should explain my low rating. Why do restaurateurs participate in 'restaurant week'? To attract new people and convert them into loyal clients, right? Our experience was an example of how not to do that. Host that seated did not seem happy to seat us. The server was over worked - bussing and cleaning tables. No bread was given to the table. After I asked for it, it took a long time, we were waiting with the salads. Again, the server was bussing and cleaning. Then the steaks came. They were literally cold. I had to send them back to reheat them. The food was not bad. But the overall experience was. I hope that they use this review to make corrections. read more

Charisse - French Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Lived in KC for 30+ years. This place is a hidden gem. Bolognese was fantastic. Had duck won tons. The french fries were best I've had!!!! If u are looking for new place and great food go!!!!! read more

Convenient spot in the heart of downtown Kansas City. Gets a little crowded over the lunch hour, but usually you won't have an issue finding a seat. French dip is amazing, pot pie (on special from time to time) is a must have, and solid drink specials during happy hour. Only 4 stars due to service and wait time. Servers/bartenders sometimes take on the French persona a bit too much. read more

what a great little spot in downtown kc! very aesthetically pleasing restaurant (kudos to your design team) that is warm and welcoming. so much natural light through the large windows -- hard to come by in restaurants today. I stopped in for a Monday evening happy hour and I was not disappointed! my friend and I shared a mini cheese plate, pomme frittes, and grilled baguette bread with house made ricotta. everything was so so good! I kept telling my friend "I'm not even hungry but I can't stop eating all of this!" The fries were fried a crispy golden brown, and the amount of truffle oil used was perfect. The mini cheese plate came with a generous portion of cheese, crostini, and accoutrements. but what we really loved ... the grilled baguette with ricotta. Perfectly warm grilled bread and the ricotta spread perfectly across it and wildly appealed to my taste buds. Our server/bartender (Steven) was an utter delight! He could tell we loved the ricotta so much, he even brought out a little sample of mango ricotta they use in another dish. What excellent service, and cheese, too! I always forget Charisse is in downtown, but after such a delightful time Monday evening I think I'll find it impossible to ever forget again. Nice work, Jason Craine & team. Can't wait to go back. read more

Charisse - French Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I feel like "okay" is not the word I'm looking for to explain Charisse. Maybe, I've been spoiled working in the F&B hospitality industry... But to start, I'll talk about the place and staff- The revenue itself was a bit cramped to, I felt like the tables were a bit too close if you're trying to have an intimate date. The random shared seating in front of the bar is kinda tatty to be honest. It's suppose to be a nicer restaurant, not a pub. Staff, upon walking in, I met a gentlemen who wasn't so enthuse. No greeting, or smile. Like c'mon man, if you're having a bad day, just fake it! You're in the hospitality industry! Once seated, I didn't know who our server was until the bartender(?)/ manager(?) (on my receipt it said Denis -Manger, soooo I had no clue what he was to us but nonetheless pretty funny guy and enjoyed his serve!!) Downside, I felt like he was doing everything and it took awhile for use to place an order, get our beers, tabled cleaned or even or even our check. Either hire more servers or runner/busser because the poor man CAN'T DO IT ALL! Food- Je ne sais pas, le dîner était médiocre?? Je l'ai eu mieux.... Ordered the, mussel rosquefort, escargot, ruby trout, and the lamb rack (medium). 1) Mussels rosquefort, for those of you who don't know rosquefort is a type of cheese, similar to bleu cheese not as strong. Smoother not as sharp, very rich, and creamy. This dish had more cream and butter (which shouldn't have any) and white wine, thus making you lose the rosquefort cheese flavor. Kinda disappointed honestly 2) Escargot, I can say, it's nice having escargot minus the shell! hahaha definitely not something you wanna try to eat while on a date! lol, Probably my favorite so far, super buttery as most forms of escagots are usually cooked. The crimini mushrooms gave it a very nice balance. If you're trying escargots for the first time, I would suggest trying it without the shell first. 3) Lamb rack, was okay. It was a bit done, asked for it to be medium, but it was okay. The butternut squash kinda over powered everything you ate with it. It has weird vanilla(?) taste to it. Wasn't a fan, but the lamb was nice and tender. 4) Ruby Trout, the mushrooms made the plate really, it definitely helped balance our the miso-soy. Not much to say on this dish fish was cooked nicely, However, for both plates, the miso-soy can just be left out. It really just taste like sweet soy sauce that us Asian uses when we braise short ribs. All in all, will I come back? Probably not. Someone who's live in France, this doesn't meet my standards, sorry. It's NOT a bad place, just not for me. read more

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Hands down the best restaurant I have eaten at since I've moved to KC! A hidden gem and a place that I expected my wife and I will spend a lot more time at in the future. Highly recommended checking this place out! read more

We had reservations for 5 PM. We arrived about 10 minutes early and there was no one else there except for hostess, bartender, and a regular sitting at the bar drinking. We were told they didn't open until 5 so we basically went and stood around outside waiting for them to "open". While waiting outside the restaurant we were approached by somebody asking for money which is why I think it would've been better if we would've just been seated. We had the small meat and cheese tray it was really good. I had the filet it was amazing my husband had to salmon, he loved it. Our server was good and we ended up being over all impressed with our dinner and our experience. read more

Charisse - French Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Everything was good except the desserts. Yes, strange I know, yet true. The service was very good also. The desserts were the only let down. :-( read more

The quality of the food was what truly impressed me. The small meat and cheese plate was more than enough for two people to share. Especially if you got another appetizer, we were absolutely stuffed afterwards. The flavors were so decadent and rich. I thought it was an amazing place for a girls night or a date. The cocktails and wine were 100% worth checking out. read more