Wind’s Food Hunt | St. Louis French Restaurant

Even though the power was still out at home after the hurricane, I still wanted to treat myself to something nice! I originally planned to try the Japanese restaurant next door, but the line was too long—so I switched to Cafe Provencal, which had been on my list anyway. Unexpectedly, I ended up with a "no-miss" French meal, and the restaurant was full of elderly white patrons—proof of how reliable and homey it is! 📍 Basic Info Restaurant Name: Cafe Provencal Address: 427 S Kirkwood Rd 6119, St. Louis, MO 63122 Overall Rating: 4.0/5 Value Highlight: Appetizer (soup) + main course set, only $48 before tax—rarely affordable for French cuisine. 🍽️ Dish Reviews: Reliable & No Misses, with Surprises (and a "Adventurous" Pick) ✅ Safe Bets – Order Without Hesitation Jarret d’Agneau (Red Wine-Braised Lamb Shank) 🥩 Solidly delicious! The lamb shank was generous in portion and so tender that it fell off the fork with a light nudge. The red wine sauce was the star—slightly tangy at first, then sweetening up slowly. If you love red wine flavors, you’ll adore this; if not, the wine taste might be too strong. It’s divisive but high-quality. Filet Bearnaise (Filet Mignon with Bearnaise Sauce) 🥩 I ordered the filet medium-rare, and the doneness was perfect—tender without being raw. The Bearnaise sauce was savory with a subtle tang, cutting through the richness of the steak. The biggest surprise was the side of French fries—crispy outside, fluffy inside, and packed with potato flavor, better than many dedicated fry spots! Only small flaw: the knife was a bit dull, making cutting the steak a bit of a hassle. Soup aux Champigons (Cream of Mushroom Soup) 🍄 A classic that never fails! The cream was smooth and not greasy, with the earthy aroma of mushrooms fully infused into the soup. You could taste small mushroom chunks in every spoonful—warm and comforting, perfect with the complimentary bread. Escargots (Baked Snails) 🐌 A must-try appetizer! The snails were large, coated in rich garlic butter. The garlic flavor was mild (not overpowering), and the snails were chewy and juicy. Dipping the bread in the leftover butter sauce was pure bliss. Saumon Fume (Smoked Salmon) 🐟 Reliably good! The salmon had a moderate smoky flavor, firm texture, and was paired with fresh sides to cut through richness. Great as an appetizer or light bite. Tarte au Chocolat (Chocolate Tart) 🍫 Rich chocolate flavor, not overly sweet. The tart crust was crispy, and the filling was creamy—perfect for ending the meal, balancing out the heaviness of the main courses. ⚠️ Adventurous Pick – Authentic but "Wildly Tasting" Trio de Provence (Provencal Trio with Bread) 🧀 It’s "authentic," but the taste was a bit beyond expectation—first, the muttony cheese: the mutton smell hits you right in the face, a total turn-off if you don’t like lamb. The three accompanying dips were also unique: eggplant dip was bland; one had a winey upfront, salty middle, and "stinky" aftertaste; the other tasted like sour fermented black bean sauce. Order this if you love trying bold, authentic Provencal flavors—otherwise, it might feel "weird." 💡 Hunt Details Thoughtful Service: Main courses were served on warm plates to keep food hot—great attention to detail, especially in winter. Staff were patient and helpful, actively explaining dishes and set deals. Vibe Fit: Most patrons were elderly, with soft music and elegant decor—ideal for dining with elders or quiet meals with friends. Little Detour: I originally went for Japanese food but switched due to long lines—sometimes unplanned choices are the best surprises! Wind’s Food Hunt, honest recommendation! Committed to the most transparent and fair food reviews in North America, updated every weekend #food #ExperienceForeignCuisineTogether #OasisInFoodDesert #RestaurantRecommendation #StLouis #FoodExplorer #WashingtonUniversityinStLouis #WashU