Trezo Mare Restaurant & Lounge

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 along! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The location honestly took me a bit aback. Its in a strip mall. The patio seating has people walking through it the whole time. It is cute and they try to make it look as "French bistro" as possible so I applauded the effort. The inside is adorable but very small. Very very small. You will 100% need reservations. The food was really delicious. Bread is so good. Wine selection is huge. Average portion for the style of restaurant. Everything we had was cooked perfectly and tasty. My husband had the lamb chops. He really enjoyed them. I had the duck and it was really yummy as well. Price tag is pretty steep, but the food+ambiance was worth it to us.

I stumbled upon this hidden gem while visiting my friends in Kansas. Even my Kansas-native friend was unaware of its existence. The restaurant exudes a cozy and well-decorated ambiance, reminiscent of a French bistro. Every dish is meticulously prepared and bursting with flavor. Our waiter provided exceptional service throughout our meal. To my surprise, I later discovered that this restaurant is ranked among the top 10 French restaurants in the United States!