Cafe Provence

The Prairie Village neighborhood across the border in Kansas might not immediately conjure up images of bistros and baguettes, but Café Provence is one of the best French spots in America. (We’ve heard that many French nationals make the trip here just to have the chicken with morel brandy cream sauce, escargot, or onion soup.) The service is impeccable, meaning you’re in good hands no matter the occasion: we’ve seen solo diners reading novels over short ribs and families singing “joyeux anniversaire” over a birthday souffle. Café Provence also owns the more casual French Market, a bakery that’s only a block away and does pastries, cheeses, and sit-down lunches and dinners.