Opera House Coffee&Food Emporium — Restaurant in Kansas City

For two years we drove by and every time we did, we mentioned that we should stop for breakfast some day. So we finally did! Stopped in on February 20, 2021 for a breakfast and less than 24 hours later, I'm still frustrated. So frustrated, I feel as though it is necessary to stamp it with a 1-star review. I don't hand these kinds of reviews out easily but this one needs to be shared.

So, let's walk through this disappointment. I'm still appalled.

Upon entering the building, we get four awkward stares from staff but not a single smile or greeting. We stand around for minutes with no assistance. We found a menu awkwardly placed on a random column in the middle of the restaurant and after wandering for a bit, found the correct (of three) counter to order at. There is no rhyme or reason to the layout of the restaurant... it also lacks any clear signage and direction.

The order was: a chorizo breakfast burrito, meat lovers sandwich and one ice water.

I'm handed a bottle of warm water and a number to place on our table while we wait on our food along side a flimsy set of 'utensils'.

We waited almost 20 minutes for our food. While waiting, I visited one of the coffee bars to ask for an actual ice water. The extremely rude lady with purple hair quickly scolded me for asking me for water and then further explained how this was currently illegal / against city ordinance for me to ask for ice water. I dumbfoundedly walked back to my table, pure shock. I sat at my table and counted 13 ice waters on surrounding tables. 13 people had ice waters but it was illegal / against city ordinance for me to ask for an ice water.

Our food came. The disappointment hit a new low. The 10" tortilla was wrapped tightly with less than 1/4 cup of actual food inside. The dollar menu burrito at a fast food chain contains more than the food in the burrito yesterday. The "Meat Lovers" sandwich that boasted ham, turkey, bacon and sausage was two massive pieces of bread, soaked in some kind of oil, with a few dashes of chopped meat. There was not an entire 2oz of meat on the sandwich I paid $10 for. Our quality 'utensils' literally broke when trying to cut the egg. Even more, when ordering, there was nothing indicated on the menu the sandwich included egg. I paid an extra $1.50 for an egg on the sandwich just to discover I paid for it uselessly because the sandwich already includes egg. Wouldn't have been too difficult to mention that at this point.

The nice young man cleaning and bussing tables and the young lady that took our food order and asked about my t-shirt were the ONLY two employees that smiled our entire experience. Those two were friendly and kind, the young man even asked us about our experience. I didn't have the heart to verbally dump our experience on him, as he had no influence on the cost, other rude employees, our food, etc. He was just the nice kid cleaning tables. Thanks to him for his smile and kindness. These two employees were the only two that made the entire experience even worth a 1-star review.

I paid $25 for this ridiculous meal. Flavor was lacking. I've seen kid's meals that include more food than what we paid $25 for... this was a one and done for us. The extremely rude woman running the bar on the east side of the restaurant was the cherry on top of this extremely disappointing experience. Understanding the general public, the service industry is not her place...

...so, if you are in Kansas City and want a great breakfast / brunch spot... this is not it. Reach out and I'll give you 50 other places that are better than the Opera House... this one, so far, is the worst breakfast / brunch we've experienced in KCMO. We pride ourselves on food, unfortunately this restaurant does not...

Stopped into the opera house for sunday breakfast.

There is no sign, or host area or anyone really to explain their concept so this was a bad start to the atmosphere. It was chaotic confusion. But much like an english or french markey. On the left you have your coffee,tea, milkshake and smoothy counter. There are no servers so you cant sit down and order from the menu. You have to go up to each area and pay seperatly at each counter.

I started my adventure with 2 of their signature expresso. The crazy on you which is made with both caramel sauce and caramel syrup this was right up my alley. And I give it a 9.5 out of 10.

Next was the cinnamon Girl, classic expresso with honey and cinnamon. It was refreshing and scored abd 8.2

After my coffee in hand I headed down to their kitchen and ordered their blueberry pancakes. House french toast, bacon bravo omelette, and biscuits and gravy.

The blueberry pancakes were a plane pancake with blueberry compote, nothing special, orginal or slamming in the taste. Give it a 1 out of 10.

Next onto their french toast a dish that is normally my go to or fav. Now the menu stated these are dipped in vanilla cinnamon batter which there was zero hits of vanilla or cinnamon in the flavor and tasted very bland. Their house syrup prepackaged. Helped me to eat down the french toast. A 2 out of 10.

Next iI tried their bacon bravo. Bacon, diced tomatoe and cheddar jack cheese ommlette. You get a side and i chose the potatoes. The taste combination was not horrible, but the size compared to 7 resteraunts in less than a mile radius horrible value for cost. Overall the omelette was a 6 out of 10. The potatoes were tastey seasoned well and scored a 7 out of 10. I def dont recomend getting one if their omlettes the size alone makes it not worth it.

Finally from their kitchen I ordered a half order of their biscuits and gravy. Now this was a good value and the saving grace from the kitchen a 10 out of 10. And 100% the best biscuits and gravy that ive tasted in all of kansas city metro. House maxr buttermilk biscuits that absolutly slaps, no cap.

For dessert I headed over to their bakery area and ordered the salted caramel twixt, and the opera torte.

The twixt has overpowered by choclate fudge. Not what i was expecting with that name. For a choclate lover an easy favorite but for me 100% no thanks. A 2 out of 10.

Their opera torte had many layers of light choclate with the fudge from the above item shaped like a squirl on top. But easily able to remove. The torte itself was amazing and i will be back to order it again. A 8.5 out of 10. This could have been a 10 and it may be for you as i just didnt like their fudge and after the twixt experience i didnt want to chance the flavor combination.

They do have a candy and popcorn area with hard icecream and macaroons. But i didnt try anything from that area. And they have a stocked bar. With some signature infusions. For me I sat and tried coldbrew Mai Tai. A new addition to there cocktail menu. It has a fantastic flavor combination and hit hard for an 8.

Overall the customer service was a 10 out of 10, the food even though some 10's lots of low ranking items. A 6.5 out of 10. And the atmosphere was all over the place and confusing for someone walking in for the first time. A 5 out of 10. Pics and videos posted...

For months I’d passed by this place this on my way from work to the River Market for lunch without ever giving it much of a thought as it appears to be a coffee house. Well, I’m glad there was a day where my laziness got the better of me and I stopped in to check it out. It’s a very eclectic environment. A coffee shop, fast-casual restaurant, bar, and comfy lounge for patrons to sit at their laptops and do stuff. I’ve been here a few times since, and I guess never realized you’re supposed order at the window and someone will bring your food out. Well, I never did that. And never got an attitude, had a long wait, or poor service because of it. I just sit at the bar and hang out until someone comes by to take my order. My disregard of their food ordering procedure has never impacted the friendly service and attentiveness of the one girl who always seems to take my orders. This is in spite of what seems like her handling not only the bar but a whole lot of other other tables as well. I’m always impressed by the experience. I’m also impressed by the KC Ice Water they serve there, although it’s too easy to have too many of them, however, that’s my problem not theirs. The food is good and always tastes fresh. It’s not, like, the absolute greatest in the world, but it’s definitely worth the price. Their burgers have never failed to keep me satiated from lunchtime to the end of my shift. After my first time here, it quickly became one of my top destinations for lunch for the food, drink, and service. Opera House can literally be a restaurant/coffee place/bar destination for everyone, if for no other reason than there aren’t any other restaurant/coffee place/bars in the area I’m aware of. Definitely check it out for a novel...