THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Cafe Provencal

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Cafe Provencal Restaurant Review:

It's not quite a bistro in Aix-en-Provence, but it's as close as you'll get in the Show Me State. It could almost be a hole-in-the-wall in Nice, with wine posters and a busy wine bar. The kitchen shows a sure hand overall, and has eased off on its tendency to jam lots of food onto every plate, just like the house has put in a little more space between tables with its move a few doors south. Young Claytonians and their parents (read: lawyers and stockbrokers and doctors) and related groups mob this place. Eddie Neill's reasonable prix-fixe dinners star real French food, pates and potages and daubes, although there are a few excursions to Caesar salads and such. Expect the unusual, at least for St. Louis menus, with things like rabbit and skate, as well more common dishes like an exemplary roast pork. Desserts always include something chocolate. This is a reliable spot for crème brûlée with the right ratio of custard to topping, too. Wine list includes fine, well-priced selections from such importers as Robert Katcher and Kermit Lynch---who thought so much of Neill's choice of staff that he stole one of them to work for him. Those remaining, however, will take good care of anyone who appreciates French cuisine. Reservations imperative at this location, much smaller than the one in Kirkwood.