Café Provence — Restaurant in Prairie Village

The Hidden Paris I Found in Prairie Village🥖

Who would have thought my desperate search for authentic French cuisine would end in Prairie Village, Kansas? After years of working in Paris and annual trips to visit my French friends, I had resigned myself to American versions of French food that always fell short—until I discovered Café Provence.

My French buddy and I now have a catch-up lunch at this Prairie Village gem whenever I'm in KC. Walking through the door, the familiar aromas instantly transport us back to those little bistros tucked away on Parisian side streets where tourists never venture. For a few hours, we're not in Kansas anymore (though Dorothy would certainly approve of this upgrade!) 🤣

The Quillec family has owned this treasure for over 20 years, creating a space that captures the essence of French dining without a hint of pretension. Their commitment to local farmers and artisanal purveyors mirrors exactly what makes French cuisine special—that reverence for fresh, seasonal ingredients transformed through technique and tradition.

One bite of their Terrine de Foie Gras, and my friend stops mid-sentence, closes his eyes, and whispers "C'est comme chez nous" (It's like home). The Pavé de Saumon and Les Coquilles Saint-Jacques are executed with the kind of precision that would make my Parisian chef friends nod in approval rather than launch into their usual tirades about American interpretations.

And then there's the Palais Royal—chocolate mousse, hazelnut pailletté feuillantine, chocolate ganache, chocolate génoise cake creation so divine we always order a second to take home, pretending it's "for later" when we both know it won't survive the car ride.🤤

Insider tips: Reservations are absolutely necessary (this isn't a secret anymore). The patio dining is lovely in good weather, but parking can be challenging during peak hours. Always ask about the specials, though the regular menu staples never disappoint.

Some restaurants serve food, but Café Provence serves memories—both the ones you've already made in France and the new ones you'll create in this unlikely Midwestern outpost of authentic French cuisine. Turns out the Eiffel Tower of flavor was hiding in Prairie Village all...

Charm, Grace and Ooh la la

Have you ever had a moment when you wanted to escape from the craziness around you? Well, this past week I did. Although I couldn’t take a quick flight out to one of my favorite cities, Paris, I came close. I dined at Café Provence. This first-time experience will not be my last. Reservations are recommended. With a seating capacity around fifty along with wonderful meals and service, it’s understandable. Fashion photographs of models during the fifties and sixties adorn the upper walls of the dark wood, linen dressed tables of this restaurant. My first course started with Soupe á l’Oignon. A thick layer of gruyere hides the contents below in a little brown crock until your spoon breaks through. The steam rises and you are greeted with thick slices of onion, bread and the wonderful beef broth below. Next, the main course, Poulet Aux Morilles and Ratatouille. The first is a pan-seared Amish chicken breast with morel brandy cream sauce, tournée potato, carrot, haricot vert. To say that the meat was tender is an understatement with a taste that was unbelievable when coupled with the sauce. Even the green beans were visually pleasing; bright in color, and crisp due to a blanching process and the use of butter. The main course was a true delight. If you are familiar with the movie, Ratatouille, will understand why I had to try the dish by the same name. I closed my eyes just as the character did as I tasted the savory, rich stewed summer vegetables prepared with tomatoes and herbs. Oh, my goodness! What a pleasing and light side dish. My third course, Tarte Tatin; an apple tart served with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. It was a perfect way to bring the meal full circle. Overall: I want to thank my server Jonathan G, for his kind and wonderful service, making this one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while. Café Provence is a charming bit of France right here in Prairie...

My friend treated me to lunch at Cafe Provence on New Year's Eve, and we had a FABULOUS time! They were very busy, but thankfully we had a reservation and so were able to be seated on our arrival.

Our waiter was James R, and he was EXCELLENT--very attentive, friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and helpful as we made our choices and wine pairings. He returned several times during our meal to ensure we had everything we needed and were enjoying ourselves.

And our meals were SUPERB! I had the special, branzino in a dark sauce with fingerling potatoes and asparagus. It was DELECTABLE! Every bite was a joy. It paired beautifully with James' suggestion of Vouvray Chenin Blanc. My friend had the vegetarian quiche, and said it was equally delicious. We split the goat cheese salad, which was incredibly tasty; the warmed goat cheese was perfectly balanced by the butter lettuce and mustard vinaigrette. We finished with cappuchinos and split a creme caramel, which was as luscious as it sounds.

The ambience of the Cafe is warm and inviting; although it's a smaller space, the high ceilings (with beautiful murals following the crown moulding) keep it from feeling close. We lingered over our meals, savoring the time, and no one rushed us out. They all seemed genuinely happy to have us dine with them.

We will definitely return to Cafe Provence! I can't think of a better way to celebrate a...