Harden's survey result
Summary
“Love the edible candle that drips into the best sourdough bread you have ever tasted…” – Tom Sellers “isn’t frightened of including strong flavours and rich, unctuous sauces” at his acclaimed foodie hotspot in “a slightly cultural/culinary desert” near Tower Bridge. “Dishes are served by all the staff including the chefs as the ‘story’ is told” over ten courses – “a great range of tastes and textures keeps you guessing” and there are some “unusual wine pairings”. “The quirky approach can be annoying” but most reporters feel “the whole experience is phenomenal”. But, even those who rate it as “exceptional all round” can still feel it is becoming significantly “overpriced”; and ratings were also undercut this year by one or two “gruesomely unbalanced” or “unsubstantial” meals. In January 2023, the restaurant will close for several months as a new storey is added to the building. BREAKING NEWS – also in 2023, Sellers will open a new restaurant in Mayfair, near The Ritz: at ‘1 Hotel Mayfair’ which promises ‘eco-conscious luxury and contemporary design’.
Summary
“Story never fails to surprise and delight, and isn’t that what eating out is all about?” – so say fans of Tom Sellers’s “creative, clever and delicious” cuisine at his “special” venue near Tower Bridge. “The menu is a puzzle and you only know what it means when the food arrives. Presentation is awesome. And the paired wines are impressive too.” “It’s not cheap… but it’s an adventure that keeps you on your toes.”
Summary
“Take your taste buds on a stimulating journey” when you sample the “truly memorable, eight-course or ten-course tasting menu spanning three to four hours” at Tom Sellers’ “extraordinary” venture, near Tower Bridge; where reporters are “blown away” by the “sensationally presented cuisine prepared with exceptional care and perfect flavours… it’s hard to find enough superlatives”. “Somehow the staff find a way to do fine gastronomy with the fun but without the pomp” contributing to an all-round “quite magical experience”. That’s the majority view anyhow, but ratings are again dragged into the middle ground by a determined minority of refuseniks who find it “an overhyped concept”: “ill-judged and wildly expensive”. STOP PRESS: throughout August and September 2019, Tom and team decamped from London to Cornwall to run ‘Story by the Sea’. At the time of this review, the presumption is that after their return, it’s then back to business as usual in SE1.
Summary
“Take your taste buds on a stimulating journey” when you sample the “truly memorable, eight-course or ten-course tasting menu spanning three to four hours” at Tom Sellers’ “extraordinary” venture, near Tower Bridge; where reporters are “blown away” by the “sensationally presented cuisine prepared with exceptional care and perfect flavours… it’s hard to find enough superlatives”. “Somehow the staff find a way to do fine gastronomy with the fun but without the pomp” contributing to an all-round “quite magical experience”. That’s the majority view anyhow, but ratings are again dragged into the middle ground by a determined minority of refuseniks who find it “an overhyped concept”: “ill-judged and wildly expensive”. STOP PRESS: throughout August and September 2019, Tom and team decamped from London to Cornwall to run ‘Story by the Sea’. At the time of this review, the presumption is that after their return, it’s then back to business as usual in SE1.
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Story?
Restaurant details
Story Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A fascinating experience with real invention to the food and dedicated, friendly service in a charming setting. "
"While the food was nice, and the ambience was great, I do struggle to balance the price with other similar menus nearby (e.g. hide). The wine pairing was delicious, but I think some of the dishes missed the mark slightly. "
"Amazing flavours from beginning to end - the chef isn't frightened of including strong flavours and rich unctuous sauces. The service was friendly and we were given extra bread (to soak up the sauces) and a second rhubarb pudding, just because my husband said that he could eat it again. I'm just disappointed that I didn't return sooner and that they're due to shut for six months.. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £45.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
199 Tooley St, London, SE1 2UE
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
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