Love, Love, Love Cafe Provence.... An amazing little French Bistro! Fabulous food( you will want to lick your plate), I promise, so get some extra bread. Try the Amish chicken with the morel sauce. Yum
(5)
Richard I.
Amazing dinner and wine service from Jonathan. A go to when craving French food in the village.
(5)
Ann W.
I came to Cafe Provence expecting an exceptional meal. After all, Zagat has rated them as the best restaurant in Kansas City. I beg to differ. Apparently the folks at Zagat don't get around much. I had previously noted that other reviewers said this place has an older clientele and that is correct. My best guess is that my husband was the youngest person in the joint. The atmosphere of the restaurant kind of matches the people who eat there. You'll understand if you go. We were seated at a table just inside the door, so every time the door would open, we would get an arctic blast. That was certainly an unexpected and unpleasant part of the experience. Our waitperson was knowledgeable about the food but somewhat inattentive at times. The place was completely full on a weeknight, so I'm sure she was quite busy. And now for the food. I usually start out reviews talking about the food, especially if it's really good. It wasn't. It wasn't bad, either. It was simply ok. The small plates were actually the best part of the meal and they were all pretty good. The escargots were not the best I've ever had, but they were good. We also had the souffle and the fois gras and both were very good. I ordered the duck which was nicely flavored and the presentation was beautiful. Unfortunately, by the time it arrived at the table, it was barely lukewarm. The accompaniments were terribly bland and seemed devoid of any spices. My husband had the salmon which I tried and it was either not very fresh or was from a frozen filet. Fresh salmon simply doesn't taste that fishy. I was hoping the desserts would be spectacular to round out the meal, but they weren't anything special and not worth wasting calories on. We shared the flourless cake with chocolate mousse filling and found it bland, dry and lacking in chocolate flavor. Our dining companions had the tarte tartin and it was also bland and the apples were so overcooked that they were mushy. Also, I ordered a mocha to go with my dessert and it never arrived. Bummer. Perhaps it might have been the shining star of the evening's meal, but I'll never know. I don't imagine that I will return here for dinner. It is simply far too expensive to not be outstanding. There are much better dining experiences to be had in Kansas City for me to waste my time coming back. I might consider checking them out again sometime for lunch to see if it's a better experience for the buck. Next time I want an outstanding French meal, I will make the trip to Le Fou.
(3)
Douqi W.
The French onion soup was the best ever! We ordered the escargot but not too impress with it, maybe it just doesn't really suit our palate. The lamb and the scallop was good, but the duck breast was a little bit disappointing. The mussels have really good flavor. It is very very pricey though for the portion you get. So it's better for a date than family outing unless you are really willing to spend a lot on hungry kids.
(4)
Julie P.
Unassuming classic French restaurant. Consistently delicious food and a great wine list. Love it here.
(5)
Daniela G.
I cannot stop raving about this place! Living in Midtown with the typical Midtowners mindset, I've never really experienced Prairie Village. I've heard great things about this place and a few others in the direct area, but it wasn't until my friend set up my bridal shower here that I was able to get to know this awesome little part of KC. I cannot say enough good things, we had a group of 10 and Danielle, our server handled us like a champ, even after we had a few mimosas in us. Natalie, the person who helped set up the special menu, seating drink specials was a pleasure to work with, no matter how many questions we had. The food was INCREDIBLE! The Poulet aux Morilles was the most moist chicken I have ever had in my LIFE. The sauce it paired with was incredible and the veggies were perfect crisp. Everyone raved about the food the entire time. I'd like to thank the entire staff for making my bridal shower beautiful, elegant and tasty. I'll be bringing my fiance soon for a romantic date.
(5)
Mari M.
On this experience, I met my girlfriend for a weekday lunch. We were one of only 3 tables occupied so it wasn't busy. Immediately upon arriving we had excellent service. My iced tea was never low (tip: a slightly larger glass might have made it easier on the server!). We ordered the cheese appetizer and we were delighted!! Two cheese lovers having a cheese appetizer. Go figure that I thought it was wonderful. I ordered a small-ish poached tomato salad for my lunch which was different and delicious. Good choice for me since I loaded-up on the bread with my cheese appetizer. This place is quaint and small located in the Prairie Village shops. Definitely a spot to re-visit for delicious French noms and great service.
(4)
Roger B.
Just finished another incredible meal here. Food is classic French. Family owned and run. Service is friendly and relaxed. Not the place to go if you are in a hurry. Carrot/ginger soup was wonderful as were the diver scallops. Sauces always rich and pleasing. Just wish I had room for dessert.
(5)
Susan A.
Very, very good, authentic French food. I was smiling the whole night from the lively dance my tastebuds were gaily trolloping through. My favorites: parsnip pear chestnut soup: subtle in taste, but refreshing and cool Pan Seared Scallop: raisin gives it a nice burst of flavor Monkfish provencal: I just really like fish Service was attentive and friendly, decor is rustic french, tastefully done.
(5)
Timothy R.
We went to Cafe Provence for my mother's birthday. It was an enjoyable and tasty experience. It it remarkable how such an intimate place can hold so many and still remain intimate. I recommend Cafe Provence highly.
(4)
Delena S.
Excellent service, food was superb. Stuffed dates melted in your mouth. Poulet aux Morilles ~ 26, best ever.
(4)
Anne M.
Anniversary lunch there recently. I was surprised by the decor and quaint clientele. We were sorely overdressed! Food was great!! Next time we'll know better and order soups, share an app, split a bottle of wine & dessert. Entrees were good but not the all stars of our meal.
(4)
Mark S.
Cafe Provence has been rated by Zagat as the top restaurant in KC, followed by my personal fave, Justus Drugstore. I figured I should try this place out and see what the hype is all about: The restaurant is located in Prairie Village, in an unassuming little shopping center, across from another great restaurant, Story. It's a quaint little place, and walking in, it was neat to see a mix of local art, photos of Paris, and murals of the Provencal countryside along the walls. The hostess, a friendly French lady, sat us down. Looking around, the crowd was definitely the more pretentious PV type, but the service in the restaurant was warm and friendly. The menu looks amazing - I was having trouble deciding what to eat, as it all looked great! Our waiter tried to be helpful - she had an intimate knowledge of pretty much every dish, and told us how much she enjoyed each menu item - making it even harder to choose (tough problem to have!) We settled on the French onion soup, who my better half said was "the best outside of France", the PEI mussels, and a new item, the crab ravioli. The mussels were excellent - I'd say still 2nd in line behind PotPie's, but the butter and wine sauce were excellently done! I had to ask for more bread to sop up the delicious sauce! The crab ravioli was good and the sauce was tasty, but perhaps too small of a portion for the price point ($16 for two small raviolis). For the entree, we settled on the osso bucco and their fish special, the sea bass. Delicious! Both entrees were perfect portion sizes! The meat and fish were cooked perfectly - no fishy taste, despite not being coastal! As for authenticity of the meal, the food certainly reminds me of travel throughout the French countryside as a kid. Nostalgic and delicious! We didn't have room for dessert unfortunately, but I'd love to come back and try their souffle desserts on Mondays. I'd say the only downside of the experience we had was that midway through the meal, we became really really drowsy...it was tough to make it home! And that was after only 1 glass of wine. So that means 1 of 3 things: either I'm a lightweight, we got roofied, or the butter/cream in the food put me into a food coma. I'm sure it was #3 - there's so much butter and cream and richness to the meal here! Looking at the menu and the service, this is certainly a place to take a loved one for your anniversary, birthday, etc. Unfortunately, it seems that people do this very very frequently, so don't expect any special treatments or dessert, etc if this does happen to be your special day. Overall here's the score: Ambience: 5/5 Food: 5+/5 Price: 4/5 (a little expensive for some of the items) Total: 5/5. Excellent restaurant - I can't wait to come back (and maybe I'll get some desserts and French-press coffee afterwards to fight the butter-coma!)
(5)
Lola G.
Service, patio, sauces!! All was divine! I will be back again and again! I had the veal, cooked to perfection with a scalloped potato cake that was delicious. The sauce was not too acidic or sweet, and I nearly bent down and licked the plate clean! This was a Friday lunch I will not soon forget.
(5)
Thomas A.
We had a wonderful experience at this cute little bistro in Prairie Village. The service was impeccable and the dishes were prepared professionally and issued quickly from the kitchen. This can be a very romantic place to take your significant other or a very chic and trendy place to take people who are visiting or for a special occasion. The escargot was superb. We dined with some of our best friends and the entire experience was just indescribably pleasant and comfortable.
(5)
Daniel H.
I don't think I've been to a French restaurant before but never too late to try. I met up with 5 other Kansas City Foodspotters for dinner at 7pm on a Thursday. The restaurant was small and there were a few people already there eating. If anybody saw that the attire was dressy on the Yelp page, then the thought of wearing a suit and tie might come to mind; however, I would say it was more casual. Some people wore dress shirts and dress pants while others wore jeans and a dress shirt. It was a French restaurant so looking good would be preferred but I don't think anybody paid attention. I looked at the menu on their website before I came here in hopes that the online menu was reflective of their actual menu in the restaurant. In my opinion, I liked restaurants that I was able to preview the menu to decide what to order. I decided on the Filet Mignon ($36) but also had the Poulet aux Morilles ($27) in mind which was pan-seared amish chicken breast. It was between those two and I chose the Filet Mignon. Our food took awhile to come out but that was fine with me. All of our food arrived at our table at the same time so that was good. We all took pictures and began to eat. I forgot that the Filet Mignon had blue cheese on it. Personally, I'm not a fan of blue cheese and I thought it ruined my Filet Mignon; however, I powered through and finished everything. Daniel's potato gratin was interesting but good to me and the rest of my plate were vegetables that wasn't bad. The bordelaise sauce on my plate was very light and I tasted more of the blue cheese than the bordelaise sauce. We finished our food around the same time which opened it up for desserts. I went with the Bombe au Chocolat ($10) because I was craving some chocolate. The waitress said that was the best one so that was nice to know. lol The chocolate was delicious to me and I slowed down to enjoy it longer. Good food here and I'd recommend checking it out if you don't mind spending a bunch of money.
(4)
Joe S.
Great food great service great atmosphere wonderful small business. Good was served absolutely fresh and service was very attentive.
(5)
Stephen D.
Wonderful restaurant. Upscale, yet with a neighborhood charm. You will not be disappointed.
Cafe Provence is one of those great hidden gems of Kansas City. Everything from the drinks and food to the service was impeccable. For dinner, I had the duck selection, which always worries me in Kansas City. When prepared correctly, it's incredible. That is rarely the case in this city. Tonight, Cafe Provence delivered. I can't wait to try more of their menu at a later date.
(5)
Lori H.
Mussels are amazing! The vibe is intimate and authentic. Highly suggest this for a dinner date on your night out!
Fantastic, strongly recommend, a top 10 restaurant in KC! Going into dinner here my expectations were very high and I wasn't sure if they could be met. I am a big fan of French food and have heard many good things, Cafe Provence did not disappoint. We started with soup. I had a competently executed french onion soup while good I was worried that we were in for just good instead of great. My wife had the broccoli soup which was light, refreshing and very good. This was the first sign that this was going to be a great experience. The escargot was very good with very good texture and a garlic pesto butter sauce that was great. The stuffed tomato my wife had was great as well. For entres we had the duck confit and the Amish chicken. The sauces for both were excellent, but the quality of the actual cooking was exceptional, perfect and juicy cooked exactly as they should be. The execution was notable. Crepes for desert were also very good.
(5)
Michele N.
What a hidden gem this turned out to be for lunch with a friend. Cafe Provence is located in a strip mall, but the moment you walk in you are transported to a quaint European bistro; tables adorned with crisp white table clothes and fresh flowers. Many reviews I read had mentioned an "older clientele." I'm not sure what denotes "old" anymore, but I can say it felt very comfortable and most tables were enjoying wine with their lunch (oh why do I have to work in the afternoon) so I considered the crowd "seasoned hip!" Our waiter was delightful, with a french accent to boot! We both ordered the spinach tartlet, although everything on the menu was tempting. It was served with an arugula salad adorned with kumquats, what a treat! When the tartlet arrived it didn't look as wonderful as it actually tasted, it was absolutely delicious! I treated myself to the French press coffee, which really made me feel like I was in Europe! This is the perfect spot for a date lunch, lunch with the girls or any special event. I look forward to going back for dinner too.
(5)
Tommy E.
Fantastic French restaurant. Make reservations, very busy. Quite small. Very French experience. Listen for the specials - some are amazing. Good wine list.
(5)
jennifer j.
I am never really in this area during dinner time, so I decided to go for lunch with my girlfriend. Walking through the door I noticed two things. 1. It is small and charming like a tucked away french restaurant. 2. The place is full and we are the only two people under 60. The old people thing kinda put a damper on the ambience, which was as quiet as a church. Music wasn't playing in the background and it made you feel like you should speak in hushed tones. The room is tight and you can still hear your neighbors conversation because tables are elbow to elbow. I was hoping for a Croque Madame or Monsieur on the menu, but the only thing that came close was the quiche. The quiche was great, maybe the best I ever had. The green beans were tender and perfectly seasoned. I started with the french onion soup, which was decent. We skipped dessert, but our neighbor had some type of apple dessert that looked amazing. I would go back, but only for dinner and only when I am not in the mood for a hip and lively atmosphere. The charm comes from its originality, location and cuisine. All of these elements make it a rare find in Kansas City.
(3)
Stephen H.
I spied this place when I was at Story. last time and made a mental note to come for a business lunch one day when I was feeling like having a taste of the French countryside. That day came today. The interior is small but inviting, with a generous patio area that in our Midwestern climate must only be used six months out of the year. The menu is pure "provencal" with mussels, scallops, quiche, crepes, and excellent soups and well-cooked meat and fish. The French know how to make their "routine" foods well and that is perhaps the great triumph of French cooking: allowing the potentially boring to be continuously rethought and recast (example - when I looked up disappointed from the dessert menu and declared that I had expected a mousse aux chocolat, I was gently pointed the way of the flourless gateau that had the mousse inside. "We do have the mousse at different times," our pretty waitress said). There's also a charm in having the waitress pick up on your proper (propre :-) pronunciation of French dishes and having her subsequently come back to the table asking, "C'est bon?" as opposed to the all-American, "how's everything tasting today?" I had the soup de jour, which was celery root and apple (you can ask, it was delicious) and scallops. While the scallops, as Chef Ramsay would say, were "cooked PERfectly" there were one or two very tiny bits of scallop shell in my dish and subsequently in my mouth. The consolation that the scallops had to have been freshly removed from the shell was tempered by the knowledge that the scallop was not as carefully looked at before going into the pan. That, and that alone was the reason for docking the 5th star from this tres charmant bistro that should be part of your occasional lunch dining circuit.
(4)
Ryan M.
Lovely hole in the wall restaurant nestled in prairie village shopping area. We love to come here as the service and atmosphere are tremendous. The wine is a bit overpriced, but the food is quite remarkable. I got the duck and it was perfectly prepared. The salmon was also a big hit at our table.
(4)
L J.
This place is lovely, the owners are charming, and in my many trips to France I have never had better food. It's a small place in a little shopping area, so many people might not find it -- but anyone who does will be back. It's a little on the pricey side for this neighborhood, but worth every penny. We recently celebrated my sister's birthday here, and every dish for the party of 10 (we nearly filled the whole place) was perfect.
(5)
Mama K.
I went for lunch and found it a) very good; and b) very expensive ($15 for a small lunch dish that came with bread and butter, but no soup or salad). The server was good, but not quite attentive enough to be great. It's a quaint place and enjoyable overall.
(4)
Leslie K.
I really want to love Cafe Provence, but we had an average experience there. I would go back to try it again just because so many of the menu items looked great, but the first time wasn't a charm, unfortunately. We dined with 2 friends on a Saturday night. The place was packed, and reservations are a must. Of our menu selections, I adored the blue cheese stuffed medjool dates and the escargot. The dates were the perfect combination of sweet with the salty, pungent cheese; the escargot was beautiful with garlic and fresh herbs. The sauce was perfect for dipping the french bread. I chose the caesar salad and Dover sole for my salad/entree, both of which were nothing to write home about. For $45, I would have preferred a bit more of a crisp sear on my fish. The lemony sauce was good though. Husband had the roast chicken, which was divine with a light creamy sauce and beautiful morels. Definitely a must try, and probably what I will get when we make another visit. Desserts... the gateau au chocolate was magnifique. We also tried their special, the pistachio creme brulee which was deliciously different. Our service was just so-so. Our waitress explained the specials to a few of us, and then when our last diner joined us, she asked if we had told them about the specials. We hadn't, I thought that was her responsibility. Also, despite the restaurant holding only a handful of people, our waitress was difficult to find when we needed something. Lastly, they charged my card twice -- once for the true amount and once for DOUBLE the amount (nearly $400). Normally that would not be a huge deal since the transaction is only temporary, but hello it's Christmas season and there are gifts to buy. The server didn't tell us about the mistake and I had to find it on my bank account a few days later. Just an inconvenience I'd rather not have during the holidays.
(3)
Brent G.
Excelllent, excellent food and great service. It's a quaint place w/ authentic Frech cuisine. Each time we've been here the food has been outstanding. Especially like their 'Tuesday Night Specials' in which they have a great menu pre-prepared :). It's hard to go wrong here if you like international food at all. We'll keep returning again and again.
(5)
Jessica B.
Everything we ordered was phenomenal. The chicken with morels and a cream sauce, though, was positively exquisite! Don't skip dessert. And it's a small spot, so reservations are a good idea. Not sure what to get or which wine pairs? Our servers were very helpful, bonus points for speaking a beautiful mix of French and English for our table.
(5)
George T.
One of the overall best restaurants for food, service and ambiance. Presentation and timing is perfect. Quality and food preparation could not be better. Expect to spend what all of this is worth.
(5)
Liz P.
Great food. Great service. Can't wait to go again.
(4)
Nancy W.
I was driving to eat in Prairie Village on a friday night with my husband, and we both thought how completely lame our life must be getting if we are actually driving to Prairie Village Kansas for a friday night out. I must say neither of us felt lame after perfect mussels, delicious foie gras, halibut cooked to perfection having a crispy sear on the outside and I can't rave enough about the sauce. This all complete with spot on service service. I would not care if this was positioned in the lamest, furthest suburb in the city because Cafe Provence is quite possibly the best restaurant in Kansas City. There is nothing lame about good food.
(5)
Kevin M.
Love this place. Service shatters all expectations. Great daily specials and regular menus selections that will always please. Don't pass up the Mussels or the Onion Soup - both of which are among the best available in KC (and beyond).
(5)
Krystal P.
Cafe Provence doesn't just claim to be a true French restaurant. It really is. From opening the door, you know you are going to get a good French meal. Light French music playing on the radio, classic French County decor, and your waitress, who is also the owner, speaks French so heavily you can't understand her, but just nod pleasantly in agreement. My husband wasn't sure what wine he wanted so the waitress checked what he as eating and brought a wine out to taste so he could make a decision. If you can make a good escargot, you make me a happy girl - and Cafe Provence does. I appreciated that once the meal was gone, the waitress reminded me "a snail is a snail, its the sauce that makes it delicious - make sure to soak it all up with your bread." and left me to indulge guilt free until the plate was empty. We started with the Ceasar salad with it's thoughtfully homemade ceasar topped with an anchovie, and the potato leek soup. I had the Chicken with morel cream sauce and my husband had the veal limon. I never order chicken out, but you can always trust the French to make sure it isn't boring. It was crisp on the outside with a rich cream sauce and whole morels. The haricot verts were the perfect accompaniment. I am usually also not a big dessert girl, but I had to see what was next. We chose the banana crepe with chocolate sauce. It was the perfect ending to our rich, and well deserved French indulgence. We will be back...often.
(5)
Shannon S.
Food is decent but don't go in there if you are younger than 35. We felt like we were ignored while every table around us had perfect service. Our water glasses were empty more times than once. My husband ordered a beer which was only brought when we asked about it 15 minutes later and still that took another 5 minutes. We watched our server stand and chat with tables or she was nowhere to be found. We never received our entrees so we asked for our bill and our server acted like she was doing us a favor by taking the entrees of the bill, keep in mind that we never even got them. The owner asked us what went wrong and when we told her she responded with, " Why didn't you tell me?" like it is our job to help her run the restaurant. Over priced, bad service, so we will definently never go back. There are 2 other excellent French restaurants in town.
(2)
Jamison U.
Surprised to be the first reviewer of this fine establishment, it might be a bit hard to find but its worth the hunt. First off the decor is lovely, its classic and clean. The wait staff was fantastic (two to the table, you want for nothing), they were attentive without smothering. The food itself was very good, the best French food on the Kansas side of the city ( top two in the metro ). The portions were ample but not mega-midwest size, and the taste was great. Overall this is one of my favorite restaurants and we will return.
(5)
Michael H.
I wish I had read Ann W.'s review before making anniversary reservations at Cafe Provence because she was spot on about the clientele. Older and stuffy would be appropriate descriptions (we're 45 and certainly do our fair share of fine dining). Unfortunately, our issues were more with the food than the environment. While the French onion soup was about the best I've had, and the appetizers were quite good, things went downhill from there. My filet was overdone by anyone's description of what medium rare would be. My wife ordered the sole, and it seemed like they threw together a collection of reject filets. They were quite thin, tough to the point my wife used her knife to eat them and half of them had the dreaded fishy smell. After the "meh" entres, we ordered a dessert to share. After cutting through the hard chocolate shell, I ended up pulling about a two inch hair from it. As expected, they did apologize and replace it without charge. These things happen but, after the less than impressive entres, it just solidified our thoughts on the restaurant. While the staff was adequate, there was nothing special about their level of attention or interaction beyond the occasional "merci" thrown in for effect. In the end, my conclusion is that they have their older, entrenched regulars and seem to have become complacent. It's your grandpa's Le Fou Frog. Next time, we'll drive the extra distance.
(2)
ILoveyou L.
I would have to say that this restaurant is a hidden gem. The food is fantastic and stays true the classic french cuisine. I started out with the seared foie gras with the cinnamon baguette and spiced apple compote it was fantastic. I then had the seared cod with the shrimp bisque and it had to be the best fish dish i have ever had, the fish was moist and flaky and the sauce was full of flavor, and done with great care and skill. For dessert i had the apple tart tattin which is like an upside down apple pie with carmel. In all the food was fantastic the service was warm and friendly without being overbearing, and the prices for the value that you got were incredible. I wish i could give this place 6 stars
(5)
Morris C.
We were in K C for our anniversary and looking for a special place to celebrate our special day. Having recently returned from long visit in France with lots of time spent in Provence we were looking for a way to relive some of our wonderful meals we had while there. Well...Cafe Provence fit our bill exactly. A family owned and managed establishment Cafe Provence tool us back to the South of France. The food, the wine, the service and even the ambiance was right on with our hopes and expectations. If you like warm inviting restaurants with a good wine list and excellent food at fair prices you will enjoy Cafe Provence...I guarantee it. Morris C
(5)
Cimmy R.
This lovely shop is in a strip mall near my husband's parents' house, so we stumbled upon it. The service was excellent, as was the food, but when we asked for the names of the cheeses on the platter, the owner, herself, couldn't tell us what they were.
(4)
Jules C.
Great little restaurant. The menu has a nice selection french dishes. I had mussels, franchise onion soup, and the duck and it was all delicious. The place seems fairly authentic french for being in Kansas City!
(5)
Sas L.
When will Yelp break down to our demands and offer half-star ratings? Because that's precisely what I would give Cafe Provence. A wonderful little escape from a strip mall, (although this particular strip mall isn't as offensive as most) this place was truly a pleasant surprise. We stopped in for lunch on a Saturday, and the atmosphere was perfect: quiet, uncrowded and French. I ordered the tarte, which was a delicate and rather thin quiche accompanied by an arugula salad. My dining partner ordered a crepe that he was very fond of. Our lovely waitress convinced us to try the stuffed mushrooms, and behold, they were vegetarian! They were stuffed with a mysterious-yet-delicous cheesy concoction that did exactly what it was supposed to do: appetized me! So, why dock it one-half star? While they do offer two items on the lunch menu that are vegetarian, which is really more than most French restaurants, I would love more options of course. Also, there was the unexplainable presence of bacon on my salad. Not a fan of that.
(5)
Jen B.
Cafe Provence, where have you been all my life? This French restaurant in Prairie Village has been hiding in plain sight. I've driven past it hundreds of times and never noticed. I won't be making that mistake again. Escargot? Magnificent. The steak was perfectly cooked with a delicious cut of roquefort across the top. Potatoes were slightly overcooked, but still ate every bite. The special that night was sea bass and as you can see from the picture, it was perfect. I only sampled the sea bass and even though my steak was delicious, I truly regretted not getting the sea bass special. Did I mention we started with the carrot curry soup? As others have stated, it was cute, cozy, and unassuming. Staff was terrific. They were attentive, but not overly so, allowing us to enjoy every bite. I'll echo other reviews about the crowd skewing older. You could tell when people walked up whether they were coming to the cafe or not. Nonetheless, it was fantastic and highly recommended for all (except small children). We'll be back!
(5)
Jason P.
My wife and I took my sister here for her birthday. Everyone loved what they ordered. The service is very good. Clientele a bit older and more homogeneous-I think we passed Mr. & Mrs. Thurston Howell III leaving as we arrived. Atmosphere very different compared to our other favorite local French restaurant but worth the visit.
(4)
Julia F.
Is it surprising to find a high quality restaurant with a view of a mall parking lot? Perhaps. But yet, despite all odds, Cafe Provence offers a taste of the South of France and a fine dining experience, all in the Prairie Village shops. Everything I've ordered from the menu has been a treat. Some of my favorites include the Salade Nicoise, the Daube, the Prince Edward Island Moules, and the Tarte Tartin. There is often a fresh fish special, which has never disappointed. Tilapia with a delicious sauce made from cream and butter? Yes, please! The service is outstanding. Everyone is very nice and accommodating. The food is consistantly great (and I love a restaurant that neither skimps on the salad dressing nor drowns the greens; here diners get to appreciate a well dressed salad!). The decor is in a fine balance that is equally suited to a nice dinner or a casual lunch. The prices are fair and the meal leaves diners replete and pleased. I recommend this restaurant as one of my top picks for French food in midtown Kansas City.
(4)
Mark M.
To steal from another review: "I came to Cafe Provence expecting an exceptional meal. After all, Zagat has rated them as the best restaurant in Kansas City. I beg to differ. Apparently the folks at Zagat don't get around much." The wife and I were pretty underwhelmed. Nothing on the menu really stood out as "Oh we MUST order that". The L'Endive au Bleu salad was OK, not much blue cheese flavor. The Foie Gras Torchon was so/so as the spiced toast points they served with it did not work at all, luckily we had bread at the table to use. The wife had the Swordfish special and I had the braised Colorado lamb shank. The fish was cooked well, but the Crab risotto was just OK. The lamb shank was cooked well also and the meat had good flavor but the dish was under seasoned (which I guess is better than over seasoned). This was Monday night so Souffle was on the menu for dessert......... They were AWESOME!!!!!!!!! They almost pull the overall rating up to four stars, and probably would if souffle was served nightly rather than just one night a week. Over all there was nothing on the menu that really stood out. Great food for a neighborhood place but not sure I would make this a "destination" unless you go Monday for the souffle.
(3)
Boone W.
I've been to more upscale and pricey joints, but I've never had a better meal than here! After a couple experiences at more expensive restaurants I'm going back here!! Don't get me wrong they have a nice cozy place, but the food is the star here. If you want to impress a date, take them here. The dining room is small and they don't have many tables so make reservations. Good service, great food.
(5)
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Address :3936 W 69th Ter
Prairie Village, KS, 66208
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Cheri Y.
True romance. Beautiful, well thought out dishes, superbly prepared, executed with precision. A tiny traditional French bistro just like in Paris. The interior is tres chic with some intimate tables by the windows & a few upholstered booths along the wall in traditional white & baby blue French Toile fabric picturing 18th century scenes of the rural French countryside. The curtains are draped in coordinating yellow & blue country French Toile, a vase of fresh baby blue Hydrangeas sit on the bar & fuchsia orchids adorn the tables giving another layer of femininity & beauty. Its very romantic. Edith Piaf played softly in the background while the walls are lined with several sophisticated Haute Couture posters & many fabulous oil paintings of Provence. When I sat down I was immediately transported to France. The mood was just perfect, it has that certain je ne sais quoi. It was totally adorable :) I started with the onion soup. The broth had a deep rich flavor, the right amount of onions, a nice chunk of French bread topped with the most delicious perfectly browned gruyere cheese on top. Perfectly executed. Then I ordered the Le Saumon that was topped with a leek fondue on a bed of braised lentils with winter mushrooms & a shellfish velouté sauce. This dish was absolutely superb. The salmon was cooked perfectly. The creamy leek fondue really worked well with the earthy flavors of the winter mushroom & braised lentils. But, it was the shellfish velouté sauce that knocked this dish right out of the park. This is the kind of dish that you remember all your life. It's the dish that you measure all others against. You will always say, remember that dish I had at Cafe Provence? It was très magnifique! I'm not a dessert person. I never eat sweets but I do love cheese. So in the traditional European style I had the warm goat cheese salad with mixed baby greens in a Dijon vinaigrette for my third course. Again, this was perfectly executed. The vinaigrette was perfectly fresh made as well as the goat cheese ball that was hand rolled in herbs. Savory & lightly fried to the correct temp where it just melted in your mouth. Perfect. Then, I had another glass of champagne, oui, très magnifique! lol The only complaint I had of this place is that everyone was like 300 years older than me. All the ladies were dressed so lovely in their designer gear, furs, LV bags etc., I fit right in there, but I was the youngest person in the place. The two ladies next to me were very sweet celebrating a birthday, but I had to endure their whole conversation the entire meal which was kinda a buzz kill :( Note: There is something called TMI & three things you never talk about in cramped restaurants or parties & that's the three D's. Divorce. Disease. Debt. It's so rude. Rude old ladies or not, the place is truly a gem. Expect to spend $100 per person but well worth it. I'm already planning my birthday dinner there as I think it's a little piece of France right here in America. Yes, it's a 6 hour drive from where I currently live, but I will gladly make the voyage for special occasions as it's such a special place. It's delectable food & exquisite ambience magically took me to that place, reminiscing not only about my first trip to Paris, but also my first kiss, the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower and most of all, falling in love. Merci beaucoup! Bravo!
(5)Barbara D.
Love, Love, Love Cafe Provence.... An amazing little French Bistro! Fabulous food( you will want to lick your plate), I promise, so get some extra bread. Try the Amish chicken with the morel sauce. Yum
(5)Richard I.
Amazing dinner and wine service from Jonathan. A go to when craving French food in the village.
(5)Ann W.
I came to Cafe Provence expecting an exceptional meal. After all, Zagat has rated them as the best restaurant in Kansas City. I beg to differ. Apparently the folks at Zagat don't get around much. I had previously noted that other reviewers said this place has an older clientele and that is correct. My best guess is that my husband was the youngest person in the joint. The atmosphere of the restaurant kind of matches the people who eat there. You'll understand if you go. We were seated at a table just inside the door, so every time the door would open, we would get an arctic blast. That was certainly an unexpected and unpleasant part of the experience. Our waitperson was knowledgeable about the food but somewhat inattentive at times. The place was completely full on a weeknight, so I'm sure she was quite busy. And now for the food. I usually start out reviews talking about the food, especially if it's really good. It wasn't. It wasn't bad, either. It was simply ok. The small plates were actually the best part of the meal and they were all pretty good. The escargots were not the best I've ever had, but they were good. We also had the souffle and the fois gras and both were very good. I ordered the duck which was nicely flavored and the presentation was beautiful. Unfortunately, by the time it arrived at the table, it was barely lukewarm. The accompaniments were terribly bland and seemed devoid of any spices. My husband had the salmon which I tried and it was either not very fresh or was from a frozen filet. Fresh salmon simply doesn't taste that fishy. I was hoping the desserts would be spectacular to round out the meal, but they weren't anything special and not worth wasting calories on. We shared the flourless cake with chocolate mousse filling and found it bland, dry and lacking in chocolate flavor. Our dining companions had the tarte tartin and it was also bland and the apples were so overcooked that they were mushy. Also, I ordered a mocha to go with my dessert and it never arrived. Bummer. Perhaps it might have been the shining star of the evening's meal, but I'll never know. I don't imagine that I will return here for dinner. It is simply far too expensive to not be outstanding. There are much better dining experiences to be had in Kansas City for me to waste my time coming back. I might consider checking them out again sometime for lunch to see if it's a better experience for the buck. Next time I want an outstanding French meal, I will make the trip to Le Fou.
(3)Douqi W.
The French onion soup was the best ever! We ordered the escargot but not too impress with it, maybe it just doesn't really suit our palate. The lamb and the scallop was good, but the duck breast was a little bit disappointing. The mussels have really good flavor. It is very very pricey though for the portion you get. So it's better for a date than family outing unless you are really willing to spend a lot on hungry kids.
(4)Julie P.
Unassuming classic French restaurant. Consistently delicious food and a great wine list. Love it here.
(5)Daniela G.
I cannot stop raving about this place! Living in Midtown with the typical Midtowners mindset, I've never really experienced Prairie Village. I've heard great things about this place and a few others in the direct area, but it wasn't until my friend set up my bridal shower here that I was able to get to know this awesome little part of KC. I cannot say enough good things, we had a group of 10 and Danielle, our server handled us like a champ, even after we had a few mimosas in us. Natalie, the person who helped set up the special menu, seating drink specials was a pleasure to work with, no matter how many questions we had. The food was INCREDIBLE! The Poulet aux Morilles was the most moist chicken I have ever had in my LIFE. The sauce it paired with was incredible and the veggies were perfect crisp. Everyone raved about the food the entire time. I'd like to thank the entire staff for making my bridal shower beautiful, elegant and tasty. I'll be bringing my fiance soon for a romantic date.
(5)Mari M.
On this experience, I met my girlfriend for a weekday lunch. We were one of only 3 tables occupied so it wasn't busy. Immediately upon arriving we had excellent service. My iced tea was never low (tip: a slightly larger glass might have made it easier on the server!). We ordered the cheese appetizer and we were delighted!! Two cheese lovers having a cheese appetizer. Go figure that I thought it was wonderful. I ordered a small-ish poached tomato salad for my lunch which was different and delicious. Good choice for me since I loaded-up on the bread with my cheese appetizer. This place is quaint and small located in the Prairie Village shops. Definitely a spot to re-visit for delicious French noms and great service.
(4)Roger B.
Just finished another incredible meal here. Food is classic French. Family owned and run. Service is friendly and relaxed. Not the place to go if you are in a hurry. Carrot/ginger soup was wonderful as were the diver scallops. Sauces always rich and pleasing. Just wish I had room for dessert.
(5)Susan A.
Very, very good, authentic French food. I was smiling the whole night from the lively dance my tastebuds were gaily trolloping through. My favorites: parsnip pear chestnut soup: subtle in taste, but refreshing and cool Pan Seared Scallop: raisin gives it a nice burst of flavor Monkfish provencal: I just really like fish Service was attentive and friendly, decor is rustic french, tastefully done.
(5)Timothy R.
We went to Cafe Provence for my mother's birthday. It was an enjoyable and tasty experience. It it remarkable how such an intimate place can hold so many and still remain intimate. I recommend Cafe Provence highly.
(4)Delena S.
Excellent service, food was superb. Stuffed dates melted in your mouth. Poulet aux Morilles ~ 26, best ever.
(4)Anne M.
Anniversary lunch there recently. I was surprised by the decor and quaint clientele. We were sorely overdressed! Food was great!! Next time we'll know better and order soups, share an app, split a bottle of wine & dessert. Entrees were good but not the all stars of our meal.
(4)Mark S.
Cafe Provence has been rated by Zagat as the top restaurant in KC, followed by my personal fave, Justus Drugstore. I figured I should try this place out and see what the hype is all about: The restaurant is located in Prairie Village, in an unassuming little shopping center, across from another great restaurant, Story. It's a quaint little place, and walking in, it was neat to see a mix of local art, photos of Paris, and murals of the Provencal countryside along the walls. The hostess, a friendly French lady, sat us down. Looking around, the crowd was definitely the more pretentious PV type, but the service in the restaurant was warm and friendly. The menu looks amazing - I was having trouble deciding what to eat, as it all looked great! Our waiter tried to be helpful - she had an intimate knowledge of pretty much every dish, and told us how much she enjoyed each menu item - making it even harder to choose (tough problem to have!) We settled on the French onion soup, who my better half said was "the best outside of France", the PEI mussels, and a new item, the crab ravioli. The mussels were excellent - I'd say still 2nd in line behind PotPie's, but the butter and wine sauce were excellently done! I had to ask for more bread to sop up the delicious sauce! The crab ravioli was good and the sauce was tasty, but perhaps too small of a portion for the price point ($16 for two small raviolis). For the entree, we settled on the osso bucco and their fish special, the sea bass. Delicious! Both entrees were perfect portion sizes! The meat and fish were cooked perfectly - no fishy taste, despite not being coastal! As for authenticity of the meal, the food certainly reminds me of travel throughout the French countryside as a kid. Nostalgic and delicious! We didn't have room for dessert unfortunately, but I'd love to come back and try their souffle desserts on Mondays. I'd say the only downside of the experience we had was that midway through the meal, we became really really drowsy...it was tough to make it home! And that was after only 1 glass of wine. So that means 1 of 3 things: either I'm a lightweight, we got roofied, or the butter/cream in the food put me into a food coma. I'm sure it was #3 - there's so much butter and cream and richness to the meal here! Looking at the menu and the service, this is certainly a place to take a loved one for your anniversary, birthday, etc. Unfortunately, it seems that people do this very very frequently, so don't expect any special treatments or dessert, etc if this does happen to be your special day. Overall here's the score: Ambience: 5/5 Food: 5+/5 Price: 4/5 (a little expensive for some of the items) Total: 5/5. Excellent restaurant - I can't wait to come back (and maybe I'll get some desserts and French-press coffee afterwards to fight the butter-coma!)
(5)Lola G.
Service, patio, sauces!! All was divine! I will be back again and again! I had the veal, cooked to perfection with a scalloped potato cake that was delicious. The sauce was not too acidic or sweet, and I nearly bent down and licked the plate clean! This was a Friday lunch I will not soon forget.
(5)Thomas A.
We had a wonderful experience at this cute little bistro in Prairie Village. The service was impeccable and the dishes were prepared professionally and issued quickly from the kitchen. This can be a very romantic place to take your significant other or a very chic and trendy place to take people who are visiting or for a special occasion. The escargot was superb. We dined with some of our best friends and the entire experience was just indescribably pleasant and comfortable.
(5)Daniel H.
I don't think I've been to a French restaurant before but never too late to try. I met up with 5 other Kansas City Foodspotters for dinner at 7pm on a Thursday. The restaurant was small and there were a few people already there eating. If anybody saw that the attire was dressy on the Yelp page, then the thought of wearing a suit and tie might come to mind; however, I would say it was more casual. Some people wore dress shirts and dress pants while others wore jeans and a dress shirt. It was a French restaurant so looking good would be preferred but I don't think anybody paid attention. I looked at the menu on their website before I came here in hopes that the online menu was reflective of their actual menu in the restaurant. In my opinion, I liked restaurants that I was able to preview the menu to decide what to order. I decided on the Filet Mignon ($36) but also had the Poulet aux Morilles ($27) in mind which was pan-seared amish chicken breast. It was between those two and I chose the Filet Mignon. Our food took awhile to come out but that was fine with me. All of our food arrived at our table at the same time so that was good. We all took pictures and began to eat. I forgot that the Filet Mignon had blue cheese on it. Personally, I'm not a fan of blue cheese and I thought it ruined my Filet Mignon; however, I powered through and finished everything. Daniel's potato gratin was interesting but good to me and the rest of my plate were vegetables that wasn't bad. The bordelaise sauce on my plate was very light and I tasted more of the blue cheese than the bordelaise sauce. We finished our food around the same time which opened it up for desserts. I went with the Bombe au Chocolat ($10) because I was craving some chocolate. The waitress said that was the best one so that was nice to know. lol The chocolate was delicious to me and I slowed down to enjoy it longer. Good food here and I'd recommend checking it out if you don't mind spending a bunch of money.
(4)Joe S.
Great food great service great atmosphere wonderful small business. Good was served absolutely fresh and service was very attentive.
(5)Stephen D.
Wonderful restaurant. Upscale, yet with a neighborhood charm. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Debbie E.
We had a wonderful dinner at this quaint little Parisian inspired café. With a friendly wait staff and delicious food, how could it be anything but wonderful. We will be returning!
(5)Derrick L.
Cafe Provence is one of those great hidden gems of Kansas City. Everything from the drinks and food to the service was impeccable. For dinner, I had the duck selection, which always worries me in Kansas City. When prepared correctly, it's incredible. That is rarely the case in this city. Tonight, Cafe Provence delivered. I can't wait to try more of their menu at a later date.
(5)Lori H.
Mussels are amazing! The vibe is intimate and authentic. Highly suggest this for a dinner date on your night out!
(5)Lisa Lajes R.
Unassuming restaurant in little shopping center. Very good French food and service. Waiter made terrific recommendations. Must try the sea scallops appetizer and the onion soup!!! The soufflé with grand marnier is so airy that melts in your mouth!!!
(5)Timothy B.
Fantastic, strongly recommend, a top 10 restaurant in KC! Going into dinner here my expectations were very high and I wasn't sure if they could be met. I am a big fan of French food and have heard many good things, Cafe Provence did not disappoint. We started with soup. I had a competently executed french onion soup while good I was worried that we were in for just good instead of great. My wife had the broccoli soup which was light, refreshing and very good. This was the first sign that this was going to be a great experience. The escargot was very good with very good texture and a garlic pesto butter sauce that was great. The stuffed tomato my wife had was great as well. For entres we had the duck confit and the Amish chicken. The sauces for both were excellent, but the quality of the actual cooking was exceptional, perfect and juicy cooked exactly as they should be. The execution was notable. Crepes for desert were also very good.
(5)Michele N.
What a hidden gem this turned out to be for lunch with a friend. Cafe Provence is located in a strip mall, but the moment you walk in you are transported to a quaint European bistro; tables adorned with crisp white table clothes and fresh flowers. Many reviews I read had mentioned an "older clientele." I'm not sure what denotes "old" anymore, but I can say it felt very comfortable and most tables were enjoying wine with their lunch (oh why do I have to work in the afternoon) so I considered the crowd "seasoned hip!" Our waiter was delightful, with a french accent to boot! We both ordered the spinach tartlet, although everything on the menu was tempting. It was served with an arugula salad adorned with kumquats, what a treat! When the tartlet arrived it didn't look as wonderful as it actually tasted, it was absolutely delicious! I treated myself to the French press coffee, which really made me feel like I was in Europe! This is the perfect spot for a date lunch, lunch with the girls or any special event. I look forward to going back for dinner too.
(5)Tommy E.
Fantastic French restaurant. Make reservations, very busy. Quite small. Very French experience. Listen for the specials - some are amazing. Good wine list.
(5)jennifer j.
I am never really in this area during dinner time, so I decided to go for lunch with my girlfriend. Walking through the door I noticed two things. 1. It is small and charming like a tucked away french restaurant. 2. The place is full and we are the only two people under 60. The old people thing kinda put a damper on the ambience, which was as quiet as a church. Music wasn't playing in the background and it made you feel like you should speak in hushed tones. The room is tight and you can still hear your neighbors conversation because tables are elbow to elbow. I was hoping for a Croque Madame or Monsieur on the menu, but the only thing that came close was the quiche. The quiche was great, maybe the best I ever had. The green beans were tender and perfectly seasoned. I started with the french onion soup, which was decent. We skipped dessert, but our neighbor had some type of apple dessert that looked amazing. I would go back, but only for dinner and only when I am not in the mood for a hip and lively atmosphere. The charm comes from its originality, location and cuisine. All of these elements make it a rare find in Kansas City.
(3)Stephen H.
I spied this place when I was at Story. last time and made a mental note to come for a business lunch one day when I was feeling like having a taste of the French countryside. That day came today. The interior is small but inviting, with a generous patio area that in our Midwestern climate must only be used six months out of the year. The menu is pure "provencal" with mussels, scallops, quiche, crepes, and excellent soups and well-cooked meat and fish. The French know how to make their "routine" foods well and that is perhaps the great triumph of French cooking: allowing the potentially boring to be continuously rethought and recast (example - when I looked up disappointed from the dessert menu and declared that I had expected a mousse aux chocolat, I was gently pointed the way of the flourless gateau that had the mousse inside. "We do have the mousse at different times," our pretty waitress said). There's also a charm in having the waitress pick up on your proper (propre :-) pronunciation of French dishes and having her subsequently come back to the table asking, "C'est bon?" as opposed to the all-American, "how's everything tasting today?" I had the soup de jour, which was celery root and apple (you can ask, it was delicious) and scallops. While the scallops, as Chef Ramsay would say, were "cooked PERfectly" there were one or two very tiny bits of scallop shell in my dish and subsequently in my mouth. The consolation that the scallops had to have been freshly removed from the shell was tempered by the knowledge that the scallop was not as carefully looked at before going into the pan. That, and that alone was the reason for docking the 5th star from this tres charmant bistro that should be part of your occasional lunch dining circuit.
(4)Ryan M.
Lovely hole in the wall restaurant nestled in prairie village shopping area. We love to come here as the service and atmosphere are tremendous. The wine is a bit overpriced, but the food is quite remarkable. I got the duck and it was perfectly prepared. The salmon was also a big hit at our table.
(4)L J.
This place is lovely, the owners are charming, and in my many trips to France I have never had better food. It's a small place in a little shopping area, so many people might not find it -- but anyone who does will be back. It's a little on the pricey side for this neighborhood, but worth every penny. We recently celebrated my sister's birthday here, and every dish for the party of 10 (we nearly filled the whole place) was perfect.
(5)Mama K.
I went for lunch and found it a) very good; and b) very expensive ($15 for a small lunch dish that came with bread and butter, but no soup or salad). The server was good, but not quite attentive enough to be great. It's a quaint place and enjoyable overall.
(4)Leslie K.
I really want to love Cafe Provence, but we had an average experience there. I would go back to try it again just because so many of the menu items looked great, but the first time wasn't a charm, unfortunately. We dined with 2 friends on a Saturday night. The place was packed, and reservations are a must. Of our menu selections, I adored the blue cheese stuffed medjool dates and the escargot. The dates were the perfect combination of sweet with the salty, pungent cheese; the escargot was beautiful with garlic and fresh herbs. The sauce was perfect for dipping the french bread. I chose the caesar salad and Dover sole for my salad/entree, both of which were nothing to write home about. For $45, I would have preferred a bit more of a crisp sear on my fish. The lemony sauce was good though. Husband had the roast chicken, which was divine with a light creamy sauce and beautiful morels. Definitely a must try, and probably what I will get when we make another visit. Desserts... the gateau au chocolate was magnifique. We also tried their special, the pistachio creme brulee which was deliciously different. Our service was just so-so. Our waitress explained the specials to a few of us, and then when our last diner joined us, she asked if we had told them about the specials. We hadn't, I thought that was her responsibility. Also, despite the restaurant holding only a handful of people, our waitress was difficult to find when we needed something. Lastly, they charged my card twice -- once for the true amount and once for DOUBLE the amount (nearly $400). Normally that would not be a huge deal since the transaction is only temporary, but hello it's Christmas season and there are gifts to buy. The server didn't tell us about the mistake and I had to find it on my bank account a few days later. Just an inconvenience I'd rather not have during the holidays.
(3)Brent G.
Excelllent, excellent food and great service. It's a quaint place w/ authentic Frech cuisine. Each time we've been here the food has been outstanding. Especially like their 'Tuesday Night Specials' in which they have a great menu pre-prepared :). It's hard to go wrong here if you like international food at all. We'll keep returning again and again.
(5)Jessica B.
Everything we ordered was phenomenal. The chicken with morels and a cream sauce, though, was positively exquisite! Don't skip dessert. And it's a small spot, so reservations are a good idea. Not sure what to get or which wine pairs? Our servers were very helpful, bonus points for speaking a beautiful mix of French and English for our table.
(5)George T.
One of the overall best restaurants for food, service and ambiance. Presentation and timing is perfect. Quality and food preparation could not be better. Expect to spend what all of this is worth.
(5)Liz P.
Great food. Great service. Can't wait to go again.
(4)Nancy W.
I was driving to eat in Prairie Village on a friday night with my husband, and we both thought how completely lame our life must be getting if we are actually driving to Prairie Village Kansas for a friday night out. I must say neither of us felt lame after perfect mussels, delicious foie gras, halibut cooked to perfection having a crispy sear on the outside and I can't rave enough about the sauce. This all complete with spot on service service. I would not care if this was positioned in the lamest, furthest suburb in the city because Cafe Provence is quite possibly the best restaurant in Kansas City. There is nothing lame about good food.
(5)Kevin M.
Love this place. Service shatters all expectations. Great daily specials and regular menus selections that will always please. Don't pass up the Mussels or the Onion Soup - both of which are among the best available in KC (and beyond).
(5)Krystal P.
Cafe Provence doesn't just claim to be a true French restaurant. It really is. From opening the door, you know you are going to get a good French meal. Light French music playing on the radio, classic French County decor, and your waitress, who is also the owner, speaks French so heavily you can't understand her, but just nod pleasantly in agreement. My husband wasn't sure what wine he wanted so the waitress checked what he as eating and brought a wine out to taste so he could make a decision. If you can make a good escargot, you make me a happy girl - and Cafe Provence does. I appreciated that once the meal was gone, the waitress reminded me "a snail is a snail, its the sauce that makes it delicious - make sure to soak it all up with your bread." and left me to indulge guilt free until the plate was empty. We started with the Ceasar salad with it's thoughtfully homemade ceasar topped with an anchovie, and the potato leek soup. I had the Chicken with morel cream sauce and my husband had the veal limon. I never order chicken out, but you can always trust the French to make sure it isn't boring. It was crisp on the outside with a rich cream sauce and whole morels. The haricot verts were the perfect accompaniment. I am usually also not a big dessert girl, but I had to see what was next. We chose the banana crepe with chocolate sauce. It was the perfect ending to our rich, and well deserved French indulgence. We will be back...often.
(5)Shannon S.
Food is decent but don't go in there if you are younger than 35. We felt like we were ignored while every table around us had perfect service. Our water glasses were empty more times than once. My husband ordered a beer which was only brought when we asked about it 15 minutes later and still that took another 5 minutes. We watched our server stand and chat with tables or she was nowhere to be found. We never received our entrees so we asked for our bill and our server acted like she was doing us a favor by taking the entrees of the bill, keep in mind that we never even got them. The owner asked us what went wrong and when we told her she responded with, " Why didn't you tell me?" like it is our job to help her run the restaurant. Over priced, bad service, so we will definently never go back. There are 2 other excellent French restaurants in town.
(2)Jamison U.
Surprised to be the first reviewer of this fine establishment, it might be a bit hard to find but its worth the hunt. First off the decor is lovely, its classic and clean. The wait staff was fantastic (two to the table, you want for nothing), they were attentive without smothering. The food itself was very good, the best French food on the Kansas side of the city ( top two in the metro ). The portions were ample but not mega-midwest size, and the taste was great. Overall this is one of my favorite restaurants and we will return.
(5)Michael H.
I wish I had read Ann W.'s review before making anniversary reservations at Cafe Provence because she was spot on about the clientele. Older and stuffy would be appropriate descriptions (we're 45 and certainly do our fair share of fine dining). Unfortunately, our issues were more with the food than the environment. While the French onion soup was about the best I've had, and the appetizers were quite good, things went downhill from there. My filet was overdone by anyone's description of what medium rare would be. My wife ordered the sole, and it seemed like they threw together a collection of reject filets. They were quite thin, tough to the point my wife used her knife to eat them and half of them had the dreaded fishy smell. After the "meh" entres, we ordered a dessert to share. After cutting through the hard chocolate shell, I ended up pulling about a two inch hair from it. As expected, they did apologize and replace it without charge. These things happen but, after the less than impressive entres, it just solidified our thoughts on the restaurant. While the staff was adequate, there was nothing special about their level of attention or interaction beyond the occasional "merci" thrown in for effect. In the end, my conclusion is that they have their older, entrenched regulars and seem to have become complacent. It's your grandpa's Le Fou Frog. Next time, we'll drive the extra distance.
(2)ILoveyou L.
I would have to say that this restaurant is a hidden gem. The food is fantastic and stays true the classic french cuisine. I started out with the seared foie gras with the cinnamon baguette and spiced apple compote it was fantastic. I then had the seared cod with the shrimp bisque and it had to be the best fish dish i have ever had, the fish was moist and flaky and the sauce was full of flavor, and done with great care and skill. For dessert i had the apple tart tattin which is like an upside down apple pie with carmel. In all the food was fantastic the service was warm and friendly without being overbearing, and the prices for the value that you got were incredible. I wish i could give this place 6 stars
(5)Morris C.
We were in K C for our anniversary and looking for a special place to celebrate our special day. Having recently returned from long visit in France with lots of time spent in Provence we were looking for a way to relive some of our wonderful meals we had while there. Well...Cafe Provence fit our bill exactly. A family owned and managed establishment Cafe Provence tool us back to the South of France. The food, the wine, the service and even the ambiance was right on with our hopes and expectations. If you like warm inviting restaurants with a good wine list and excellent food at fair prices you will enjoy Cafe Provence...I guarantee it. Morris C
(5)Cimmy R.
This lovely shop is in a strip mall near my husband's parents' house, so we stumbled upon it. The service was excellent, as was the food, but when we asked for the names of the cheeses on the platter, the owner, herself, couldn't tell us what they were.
(4)Jules C.
Great little restaurant. The menu has a nice selection french dishes. I had mussels, franchise onion soup, and the duck and it was all delicious. The place seems fairly authentic french for being in Kansas City!
(5)Sas L.
When will Yelp break down to our demands and offer half-star ratings? Because that's precisely what I would give Cafe Provence. A wonderful little escape from a strip mall, (although this particular strip mall isn't as offensive as most) this place was truly a pleasant surprise. We stopped in for lunch on a Saturday, and the atmosphere was perfect: quiet, uncrowded and French. I ordered the tarte, which was a delicate and rather thin quiche accompanied by an arugula salad. My dining partner ordered a crepe that he was very fond of. Our lovely waitress convinced us to try the stuffed mushrooms, and behold, they were vegetarian! They were stuffed with a mysterious-yet-delicous cheesy concoction that did exactly what it was supposed to do: appetized me! So, why dock it one-half star? While they do offer two items on the lunch menu that are vegetarian, which is really more than most French restaurants, I would love more options of course. Also, there was the unexplainable presence of bacon on my salad. Not a fan of that.
(5)Jen B.
Cafe Provence, where have you been all my life? This French restaurant in Prairie Village has been hiding in plain sight. I've driven past it hundreds of times and never noticed. I won't be making that mistake again. Escargot? Magnificent. The steak was perfectly cooked with a delicious cut of roquefort across the top. Potatoes were slightly overcooked, but still ate every bite. The special that night was sea bass and as you can see from the picture, it was perfect. I only sampled the sea bass and even though my steak was delicious, I truly regretted not getting the sea bass special. Did I mention we started with the carrot curry soup? As others have stated, it was cute, cozy, and unassuming. Staff was terrific. They were attentive, but not overly so, allowing us to enjoy every bite. I'll echo other reviews about the crowd skewing older. You could tell when people walked up whether they were coming to the cafe or not. Nonetheless, it was fantastic and highly recommended for all (except small children). We'll be back!
(5)Jason P.
My wife and I took my sister here for her birthday. Everyone loved what they ordered. The service is very good. Clientele a bit older and more homogeneous-I think we passed Mr. & Mrs. Thurston Howell III leaving as we arrived. Atmosphere very different compared to our other favorite local French restaurant but worth the visit.
(4)Julia F.
Is it surprising to find a high quality restaurant with a view of a mall parking lot? Perhaps. But yet, despite all odds, Cafe Provence offers a taste of the South of France and a fine dining experience, all in the Prairie Village shops. Everything I've ordered from the menu has been a treat. Some of my favorites include the Salade Nicoise, the Daube, the Prince Edward Island Moules, and the Tarte Tartin. There is often a fresh fish special, which has never disappointed. Tilapia with a delicious sauce made from cream and butter? Yes, please! The service is outstanding. Everyone is very nice and accommodating. The food is consistantly great (and I love a restaurant that neither skimps on the salad dressing nor drowns the greens; here diners get to appreciate a well dressed salad!). The decor is in a fine balance that is equally suited to a nice dinner or a casual lunch. The prices are fair and the meal leaves diners replete and pleased. I recommend this restaurant as one of my top picks for French food in midtown Kansas City.
(4)Mark M.
To steal from another review: "I came to Cafe Provence expecting an exceptional meal. After all, Zagat has rated them as the best restaurant in Kansas City. I beg to differ. Apparently the folks at Zagat don't get around much." The wife and I were pretty underwhelmed. Nothing on the menu really stood out as "Oh we MUST order that". The L'Endive au Bleu salad was OK, not much blue cheese flavor. The Foie Gras Torchon was so/so as the spiced toast points they served with it did not work at all, luckily we had bread at the table to use. The wife had the Swordfish special and I had the braised Colorado lamb shank. The fish was cooked well, but the Crab risotto was just OK. The lamb shank was cooked well also and the meat had good flavor but the dish was under seasoned (which I guess is better than over seasoned). This was Monday night so Souffle was on the menu for dessert......... They were AWESOME!!!!!!!!! They almost pull the overall rating up to four stars, and probably would if souffle was served nightly rather than just one night a week. Over all there was nothing on the menu that really stood out. Great food for a neighborhood place but not sure I would make this a "destination" unless you go Monday for the souffle.
(3)Boone W.
I've been to more upscale and pricey joints, but I've never had a better meal than here! After a couple experiences at more expensive restaurants I'm going back here!! Don't get me wrong they have a nice cozy place, but the food is the star here. If you want to impress a date, take them here. The dining room is small and they don't have many tables so make reservations. Good service, great food.
(5)