Aixois
301 e. 55th Street     
Kansas City, MO 64113

Phone (816) 333-3305

Lunch Menu $5.00 - $12.50

Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover

This Brookside French restaurant and coffee bar is a gem. Pronounced “X-wah,”Aixois means one who comes from Aix-en-Provance.

Chef Emmanuel Langlade is a native of Aix-en-Provence, France. After stops in Paris; Nottingham, England; Washington, D.C.; Austin, Tex.; and Parkville, Mo., he opened Aixois with his wife in 2001. Emmanuel and Megan have a winner.

Located in the Crestwood Shops at the corner of Brookside and 55th, Aixois is near the Missouri Repertory Theatre and the trolley bike and walking trail. 

There is beaucoup du jour on the menu and all of it bon. Pardon the fractured French, but I couldn’t resist getting into the spirit just a little.
On a strong recommendation, I tried the pan-seared trout with lemon and sautéed almonds. I enthusiastically endorse the recommendation. Accompanied by green beans and potatoes with crusty bread, my lunch entrée was delicious. I sampled my partner’s choice of crepes filled with organic chicken, which was also a winner. The crepe sauce was superb and there was ample filling.

The daily specials on our visit were two soups, cucumber/mint and gazpacho ($4.00); a quiche with broccoli and goat cheese ($6.50); and choice of two salads. Entrees were talapia ($12.50) and veal liver ($10.50), both with soup or salad. Desserts were a berry tart, a sorbet and a hazelnut ice cream sundae ($5.50 and $6.00).

The regular lunch menu is extensive and offers a range of choices, which will force more than one return visit to Aixois. Hors d’oeuvres were pâté, fromages and escargots. Salads ranged in price from $5.00 to $10.50 for a shrimp and avocado combination. Sandwiches are grilled and are priced from $6.50 to $9.00 with a choice of mixed greens or French fries.

Several entrees are complimented with tomato provencale on the side. Provencale style preparation also enhances other dishes.

The crepes all sound delicious. I mentioned the chicken, but there also is a wild mushroom and spinach variety and one with imported ham and cheese; all at $7.50 and served with mixed greens and tomato provencale.

The meat, chicken and fish lunch entrees (from $8.50 to $11.50) all have a French connection and all sound appealing. Even two selections which are not usually among my choices, mussels and frog legs, may be on my menu in the future just out of curiosity.

There is a variety of drinks other than wine, including the European bistro choices of cappuccino, latte and espresso.

I’m not at all sure I will ever get beyond the first item in the dessert menu. Profiteroles au Chocolat ($6.00), flaky pastries filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce, may be my permanent choice. There are eight other desserts priced from $4.50 to $10.50, the latter is a mini assortment of the dessert menu.

While there for lunch, I took the opportunity to scan the dinner menu. As you might expect, there are more choices in every category. There is something for every appetite except crepes. They seem to be offered only at lunch. The grilled shrimp over fresh pasta has also been highly recommended.

I was slightly surprised that French onion soup was not offered, but there are so many other enticing choices on both the lunch and dinner menus that you will not miss it.

Aixois may be a drive for lunch, but it is well worth it. This is a favorite of the neighborhood but it also has attracted a following from a much wider area.

Be warned, there is an added hazard! Next-door is an excellent bookshop, Bloomsday, with a connecting door to Aixois.

Tips: The décor adds to the dining experience. Etched mirrors have a French motif and, along with rich wood paneling, help create the bistro atmosphere. Parking can be a problem. Limited space is available on 55th Street. Adjacent shops are filled with antiques, home decorating boutiques and interesting specialty items.

Seats 50. Additional seating on the patio area overlooks the trolley trail and is partially covered.

Hours: The bistro is open for lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner from 5:30 to 10 p.m., Monday thru Saturday. The coffee bar is open Monday thru Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m..

Ratings: Fits in all categories except quick lunch, but Aixous seems especially suited for impressing a client and for some Friday fun. Take out is available.