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January 12th 2024 will see the re-opening of Restaurant Story, Tom Sellers' two Michelin Star restaurant, housed in a former Victorian public toilet block in Bermondsey, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Restaurant Story has been closed since February 2023 for an extensive refurbishment, including the construction of an upper level which will have an outdoor balcony. This major refurbishment will mark a new chapter for the restaurant and, as Tom sees it, the start of ‘Story 3.0’ although innovation and the pursuit of excellence will remain the driving force. Works on Restaurant Story have coincided with the launch of two new venues, also led by Tom, with Sellers and his team focused on the openings of Story Cellar (Neal's Yard) and Dovetale (Mayfair) whilst the project is completed.
The new second floor will comprise an intimate lounge area, seating 6-8 guests for an aperitif or nightcap, alongside a new open kitchen, Restaurant Story’s take on a chef’s table experience. Overlooking the kitchen will be the largest table in the restaurant, seating 14 guests for the first time in Restaurant Story's history. This table will be available for public and private use. The second floor will also offer stunning views of The Shard, and will facilitate the vast expansion of the restaurant's wine programme.
On 23rd November 2023 reservations for Restaurant Story will open for tables from January through to March 2024. Guests will be able to book to dine in the main restaurant, or in the brand new dining area upstairs, which offers space for larger groups and private dining for the first time since the inception of Restaurant Story 10 years ago.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Quite an experience” – Tom Sellers has established his unique foodie temple near Tower Bridge as one of a kind. Each quixotic menu relates a culinary ‘story’ which unfolds over numerous courses and the “fabulous” results mean that quibbles regarding the mind-numbing prices – though often present – were a minor theme this year in diner feedback compared with satisfaction with the overall stellar performance. Just after our survey concluded in May 2023, the restaurant closed for the addition of a second floor, outside terrace, and the promise of new areas in which to dine. TS has also been busy with the openings of Dovetale and Story Cellar – hence for the time being we’ve left it unrated.
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.
For 33 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?
199 Tooley St, London, SE1 2UE
Restaurant details
Story Restaurant Diner Reviews
"I’ve eaten there twice since the restaurant has reopened. It is clearly targeting a third Michelin star. Prices have shot up enormously although you get a large number of dishes as part of the set menu. Stellar dishes include the Agnolotti and Call on God. First time I selected the highest priced matching wine selection - which featured very interesting choices. Second time round I asked the sommelier to bring a glass of white, red and dessert wine - which proved a much better approach (and saved around £100 per head). It will be interesting to see how often the menu changes - I went within three weeks and was disappointed to see that nothing had changed. Is it a three star restaurant yet? Not quite - but very close. One or two dishes don’t quite have that something special - for example the Candle, Turbot or Duck courses. With the right tweaks I’m sure they can get there."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £0.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
199 Tooley St, London, SE1 2UE
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑1 am |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm |
| Friday | CLOSED |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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