Paris of the Plains: KC's Best French Cuisine
The Paris of the Plains has plenty of French food to offer: read on for some of KC’s best spots.
Photos by Bennett Hense
Kansas City has been widely known as the Paris of the Plains. Journalists during the prohibition era compared Kansas City to Paris due to its nightlife. Filled with jazz music and speakeasies, many people could experience a similar night out in both cities.
With its urban development of water fountains, boulevard streets, and quality nightlife, KC certainly resembles its French counterpart.
Although our city boasts over 200 fountains and has some distinctive French architecture, in my opinion, the key similarity to Paris has to be the food. Luckily for the citizens of Kansas City, excellent French cuisine is readily available. Something that sets this style of cooking apart from the rest is how they embrace simplicity. French cuisine is generally equated with dishes fit for a ROYAL with a CHIEF ingredient; butter. Rich and smooth flavors are brought about by their savory sauces and herbs. The texture is another major component of French food. Warm and crunchy slices of bread paired with tender strips of meat and cheeses make the perfect meal. I could go on and on about all of my favorite French inspired items on the menus, but here are the must-tries...
Cafe Provence.
Café Provence | 3936 W 69th Terrace, Prairie Village, KS 66208
Whether you are searching for a great date night option or a casual lunch with Mom, Café Provence has you covered. One step inside instantly transports you from Prairie Village, Kansas to Paris, France. One cannot talk about this café without mentioning the ambiance. From beautiful French paintings hanging on the walls to the country French blue fabric lining the booths, the impeccable attention to detail does not go without notice. Another perk is their close relationship with local farmers, butchers, and purveyors which brings delicious food to the Midwest. My go-to order is the fine herbs Marcona almonds to start, followed by Chef Daniel’s daily soup selection. My all-time favorite is currently the peach and carrot soup. This rich soup has an unusual flavor combination that will rival your favorite comfort food. For a main, I order the Salmon atop roasted veggies, fresh every time. To conclude any visit, I recommend ordering the Bombe en Chocolat. This decadent and sweet dessert is great to share or to enjoy as a solo indulgence.
French Market.
The French Market | 6943 Tomahawk Rd, Prairie Village, KS 66208
Some may know this market as the sister shop to Café Provence, but if not, let me introduce you to the Quillec family. This wonderful family owns both establishments. I am so thankful that their delicious sauces, desserts, and meals can be purchased at multiple venues in KC. The more opportunities to buy authentic food and interact with kind family members the better. What makes this place special is that you can purchase an assortment of cheeses, wines, and cookbooks whilst enjoying a hearty meal. Catty-corner to the market is a bar where you can order French wines and handcrafted cocktails. This café specializes in sweet and savory crêpes, sandwiches, and small plates. The meal I get time after time is the Chicken Cordon Bleu with a side of fries. Don't miss the live music nights - they have a calendar on their website for days and times.
Ça Va
Ça Va |4149 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111
Located off of the busy corner of Pennsylvania sits this charming champagne bar. Although Westport is distinctly Kansas City, yet Ça Va takes you straight to Paris. Imagine yourself breaking free from the hustle and bustle and finding a quaint bistro for delicious small bites. Equipped with both indoor and outdoor seating, it makes for a perfect first date or a casual get-together with your coworkers. My friend and I started with the special; bubbly rosé. This rosé was crisp and had a tangy fruity flavor which nicely complemented the cheeseboard. You can't go wrong with their fresh assortment of cheeses sourced from Missouri Farms to the Basque region of France. I also recommend the “moules” or mussels. Doused in white wine and shallot reduction sauce each bite felt like I was sitting ocean-side in the south of France. Ça va is actually a common phrase to ask how’s it going? After dining there, one can definitely respond très bien, merci!
Aixois
Aixois Bistro | 251 E 55th St, Kansas City, MO 64113
Tucked away right off Brookside Boulevard and 55th Street, the atmosphere is something you thought only Europe could provide. The classy black tables with umbrellas and a matching black awning showcase the elegant outdoor seating. Aix is a town in France full of arts and culture, and when dining at this restaurant, you feel just that; cultured. Once inside, the menu is packed with French terminology and five-star selections. Aixois makes you want to go back to your high school French class or at least wish you’d paid more attention! What makes this bistro worth the trip is items like their classic French onion soup or Soupe à L’Oignon Gratinée, and the delicious Croque Monsieur sandwich. With each bite, you can envision yourself picnicking under the Eiffel Tower.
Le Fou Frog | 400 E. 5th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Of course, this list would not be complete without the gem of City Market: the glorious Le Fou Frog! This little French bistro delivers big on flavor with some of the finest cooking in Kansas City. Owners Barbara and Mano Rafael have been running their cozy establishment for 23 years. The wide specials menu is handwritten on a chalk board each night, for a unique experience at every visit. Be sure to stick around for the housemade chocolate truffles at the end!
