“Life is so brief that we should not glance either too far backwards or forwards…therefore, study how to fix our happiness in our glass and in our plate.”
- Grimod de la Reynière
"Bienvenue!"--she said smiling, as our server opened the front door to our French adventure. I couldn't help but hum that song from Laura Calder's cooking show, "Come over, come over... and we'll meet again," while she walked us to our table. (I know! I just couldn't help myself). It's just one of those places that makes you feel at home, and yet, thousands of miles away in mystical Paris, at the same time!
"Cafe' Provence" spells delicious, homemade, and truly French fare. The warmth that embraces you when you first enter the restaurant is almost as comforting as the fragrant smells that wrap you in from the kitchen. Suddenly I was transported from the threshold of the Midwest straight to France (Where's my steaming hot crepe filled with delectable Nutella?, screamed my nostalgic memory! ;-) I needn't have worried, though, because true enjoyment was written in all of the food to come, and "bon appetit" was infused in our Kir Royale.
The mixture of "Le Vie en Rose" and the rich smells of herbs simmering in butter sauce transported me straight back to France. If you've never been to France then this could be your first taste, and you really must try it. Go down the road, and taste France--right in your backyard. Er', well, kind of... (does a strip mall in Kansas count?)
Cafe' Provence is located in Prairie Village, KS... and in your imagination you could hop, skip, or jump there from the Plaza. It's truly worth the adventure, wherever you live in Kansas City or Kansas... and if you wish for some authentic French fare, then please wait no longer. Don't be afraid to try new things like the obligatory Escargot... that will have you begging for more bread to dip in that exquisite butter sauce. Let's be honest, the butter is the vehicle for it's delight, but you might be pleased to know that snails contain a particular lectin that helps to prevent certain female cancers--like breast cancer! (A bell should go off somewhere, because female cancers are now one of the leading causes of death). ... something you can feel good about, and it's dripping in butter?? Not a lot of thought should go into that. Bottom line: it's delicious medicine!
Butter and Bitter are your Friends:
The French have somewhat explained their French paradox (of sorts) to me, and I listened closely. They are ridiculously particular about the quality of their food, where it is sourced, and... drum roll please, THE BALANCE OF HOW FOODS ARE PREPARED AND ALSO DIGESTED. They care a great deal about digestion! You may have grown up thinking they were just pompous individuals that were snobby about their food, but when you listen and watch carefully, they are truly on to something. While I was studying nutrition, I had the privilege of being in France for a spell, and I learned some very valuable things that I have brought back with me; when practiced, they will change the way you look at a meal and the way that foods work together in your digestive system. There is a rhyme and reason to their madness.
I adore the way the French eat, and one of the things they introduced to me were bitters. What are bitters, you ask? Well, bitters are comprised of different ingredients like bitter greens, herbs, roots, barks, etc. Does it sound crazy yet? Well, in some ways it should, because we are innately programmed to resist bitters, because most things poisonous are bitter, and we have a beautiful mechanism within us that keeps us from liking poisons. Hence, the bitter taste! However, there are bitters like endive, dandelion, escarole, chicory and other bitter salad greens that are extremely beneficial for our digestion by way of releasing digestive juices and assisting the liver and gallbladder to break down fats. Bitters are also used in digestive drinks and aperitifs to assist us in digesting heavy meals and buttery dishes. We've all heard about the French Paradox where the french shovel in mouthsfull of butter- and cream-laden dishes. How do they ever stay so thin? Hmm... could it be the bitters? I believe it has to do with many things including the fact that their butter and cream are of great quality, but YES, bitters and the way they eat their food speak volumes for the way they can eat as they do. Also, let's please not forget: Fat is never the enemy! I could write another full blog on the benefits of good fats, and butter can most certainly be one of them. I'll dispel its demonic qualities quickly by saying that your body can recognize the benefits of butter much better than the more prevalent refined and rancid vegetable oils (like canola). Butter has been ostracized in the States for far too long, and the French are having a good laugh at us while we figure it out. Fat loves bitter and they should be good friends in my book.
THE FOOD!
We dived right in with an aperitif trio, and a glass of Kir Royale. The menu always changes with the seasons (another wonderful thing), but that evening, the trio included: perfectly salted marcona almonds, blue cheese-stuffed dates (even if you don't like dates, you will most likely change your mind with these), and a beautiful assortment of olives. A good friend from France taught me the benefit of the Kir Royale before a meal, or with the aperitifs... and it has been my favorite ever since. Simple but elegant, the drizzle of cassis liqueur in champagne adds the perfect tiny bubbles to help digest the starting course. One sip and your meal is started with celebration and delight. I usually close my eyes and just soak up the moment, while the digestive juices flow.
If you have any obsession with mushrooms, and especially the delicate flavors of morels, then you must try the "Poulet aux Morilles." In English, this is the juiciest Amish chicken breast bathed in a brandy morel cream sauce, perfectly crisp potatoes, and buttery asparagus. Every bite got better and better, and it pairs beautifully with some deep Pinot Noir or light Vouvray. If they offer you more bread to soak up the sauce (and they almost always do), then you should certainly never say no to such offers.
Their dessert list blew me away with the choices, and all of them were made in house, of course... but when I asked the server what she recommended, she said that we must not leave without trying the tarte tatin. This is a very traditional apple tart that is well known in France and when done well,it will melt in your mouth and have you begging to the gods of caramelized apples. I'm not really an apple dessert fan, in fact, I will choose chocolate over an apple tart anyday. However, this tarte turns an apple into a fantasy. It was said that the original creation of the infamous "tarte tatin" was an accident, so this proves that we should make more accidents in life to create such accidental bliss. Try it with a shot of their delicious espresso! The bitter (ding ding) delight from the coffee will synergistically bring out even more flavor from the sweet caramel flavor of the apples and buttery crust. Again, this is where bitter and butter breathe partnership.
There are so many dishes still calling me back! Did I mention that "Cafe Provence" is family owned and everyone that works there is closely related, or at least, treated like a family member. So you will feel at home when you walk in, and the kitchen will call you back over and over again with the memory of the smells... and the stories of food that the servers share with you. Please don't be afraid to ask about the dishes, the stories, the culture, anything really. Reach out; learn more! We can feel at home anywhere we go if we infuse ourselves in the sacred moments we are given and allow ourselves to be whisked away to another world with just one bite of heavenly food.
Other "French Paradox" Tips: (For What it's Worth)
These are tips I've learned over the years that I recommend to clients.
1.) Try to always eat with others, to share your enjoyment and celebrate life with each other. You will eat more slowly also. ;)
2.) Drink bitters before and after your meals, and wine during your meal.
3.) Incorporate bitter greens like escarole, frizee, dandelion greens, endive, etc... with your regular salad greens. Sauteed bitter greens are nice also. (This is very helpful to diminish allergies, and in one client, I saw his allergies disappear completely by adding bitters to his diet.)
4.) Eat high quality food, and do your best to go to the city markets where you choose your own fruits and veggies, and ask where they were sourced. We all have a busy life, but make time for good food and for shopping almost daily for what you will cook that night. If you aren't able to do this, then shop weekly for what you will cook that week. I had one French friend say, "Big shopping carts equal big bodies; small shopping baskets equal smaller bodies." The French shop more often and get less food. Plus, if you use a basket, then you get the added exercise of carrying the food you are buying.
5.) Do not overeat! The key is to eat high quality foods, and when you eat rich foods, you eat less but are more satisfied. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to register that you are full. If you are talking and celebrating, then your body will register that you are full faster than just shoveling food in your mouth and not being mindful of it. (Your first deep breath while eating will usually signify that you are almost full. We usually eat right through this and never listen.)
6.) Do not eat standing up! Eat sitting down and while you are relaxing. If you eat "on the go," then you will be rushed, possibly eat too much and you are most likely already stressed.
7.) Your first bite should be of protein. This sets the stage for strong digestion, and it helps in food combining and in weight loss. Pretty easy step, and it works very well.
8.) Eat with Passion and Childlike Delight (this is one is my favorites)!
9.) NEVER say this, "I shouldn't eat this"! This programs to the mind and body that the food you are eating is harmful and, therefore, will process poorly. Do not feel guilty for what you eat, but instead, enjoy it fully and passionately. When you eat good food from high quality sources, and you don't eat too much... this will ALWAYS work in your favor.
The French never make delicious food and say: "I really shouldn't eat this."
This is not pompous, this is just smart.
10.) Cook whenever you can, and love the food while you are cooking it.
I hope you all get a chance to taste "Cafe Provence" in Prairie Village, Kansas. Even if you aren't normally drawn to French food; you may find that this restaurant speaks to your taste buds and your heart.
Bon Appetit!
http://www.kcconcept.com/cafeprovence/
(A huge thank you goes out to "Check Please" and Jeff Carroll for introducing this restaurant to me.)
