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Aixois French Restaurant and Coffee Bar
Categories: Restaurants French Food Coffee & Tea French, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
251 E 55th StKansas City, MO 64113
(816) 333-3305
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am - 10 pm
Sun 8 am - 4 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
85 reviews for Aixois French Restaurant and Coffee Bar
Review Highlights
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"I had the rainbow trout with pommes frites." In 3 reviews -
"...think on of the best items on the menu is Ruby trout meuire." In 3 reviews -
"My favorite was the cheese plate - check out the gorgeous..." In 6 reviews
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85 reviews in English
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Review from Julia F.
4/5/2012 33 Check-ins Here
If you're looking for delicious food from the South of France in Kansas City, you can find it at Aixois, the neighborhood French bistro in Crestwood. Aixois (pronounced x-wah) means simply "a person from the region of Aix-en-Provence," and this delightful restaurant delivers delicious food without the pretension that so often accompanies "French cuisine."
The food is very good, including delicious French bread and butter on the table. Such classics as escargot, croque monsieur, and moules avec frites, etc. are just a few of the splendid dishes that one is pleased to find on the menu at Aixois. The service is occasionally a bit inconsistent; however, the food always arrives at the table to delight the diners. The staff is very courteous and friendly.
When I visit Aixois, I usually do so during the day for lunch. Although Aixois serves a great supper, the dining room can get quite noisy during dinner. For my preference, I like to sit in the front room (at the corner) where the window provide better natural light than in the main dining room. If I bring my dog, I will happily sit on the patio. In true French spirit, dogs are welcome (albeit outside only), and a souffle dish is kept with fresh water for four-legged patrons.
For those visiting in the morning and the afternoon, a stop by the coffee counter is a treat. One may take his or her coffee (and perhaps a treat) to go or enjoy it at a table between the two dining rooms. -
Review from Leslie M.
Kansas City, MO
5/7/2012
I'm French, born and raised. So when I moved to the US, people took me there.
They have good salads for lunch (try the goat cheese salad, delicious!) and an amazing breakfast. Their staff is really nice and the place is cute and in a nice neighborhood.
However, I think that Aixois is really overrated. The dinner food is really overpriced. One of my French friend and I once got a charcuterie plate and were really disappointed by the small amount of food; same for the cheese plate. I've been there quite a bit because I don't like to judge on one impression and I always have the same disappointed thought as soon as I'm done eating: something's missing in my plate, in my mouth, but definitely not on my bill.
I've decided to go there only for their breakfast which is really good and more affordable. Their quiche is delicious and there's nothing better than a gaufre or une baguette et du Nutella. -
Review from Amy R.
Updated - 5/3/2012
Previously I have fawned over Aixois for it's service and food but after this mornings coffee experience, I think I will not go back.
Maybe I will but only the next time I'm in the mood for a large platter of distain served with my coffee.
I can't get over how rude the woman working was this morning.
My advice would be to hang up the barista hat if you can't get yourself up and bike to work by 8 am in a decent mood.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/28/2012
My husband and I went to Aixois yesterday for lunch and planned on sitting outside. I'm not a huge… Read more »
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Review from Stephen H.
Overland Park, KS
4/26/2012
I'm in between on this place. Had a great coffee/pastry/hangout experience here, but have only had so-so lunch experiences. Here's what I do like:
Great location. Being near the Trolley Trail just south of the Plaza, with a great patio.
That might be enough to get you there for the first time. After that, it's on you. -
Review from Jen D.
3/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
My friend and I hit Aixois for a late night dinner on Saturday. Due in part to a large Groupon crowd, the place was packed and we couldn't get in until 9:30, which was fine by us. We arrived prior to our reservation to check out the bar offerings. I settled on a "French 75", comprised of gin, champagne and elderflower. It was delicious, and the number one reason I guarantee my return. My friend had the "Bloody Marie", which she described as fantastic.
We shared the escargot and enjoyed the fresh garlic seasoning; however, we both felt it was missing a hint of salt. For our entrees, my gal pal ordered the hangar steak and I opted for the sole with capers. Now, I'm a little bit "over" capers, but this dish was delish! I ate every last bite.
Next came another round of drinks and then dessert, which is reason #2 for my future return. Wow, our dessert sampler came with 6 small portions of crème brulee, chocolate mousse, hazelnut ice-cream, a brownie, a profiterole, and one other delight that I can't recall the name of.
Service was fantastic, although they were out of many menu selections at 9:30 on a Saturday; we were more than satisfied with our food and overall dining experience. -
Review from Cecilia N.
Kansas City, MO
2/16/2012
My friend and I were looking to splurge tonight, and oh boy, did Aixois hit all the right notes. This bistro is located in a quaint shopping strip right off of Brookside. I think that this little area often gets overlooked since it's sandwiched between the Plaza and the core of Brookside off of the 63rd St. corridor. I will definitely return to the this corner of KC to investigate the cute shops in the near future.
While Aixois is actually quite spacious, the atmosphere somehow retained some intimacy. The tables are small and arranged close together, but I never felt crowded. I couldn't even hear the conversation between the couple next to us. The place was decorated how one would imagine the fancy bistros in France, complete with cafe chairs and tiny vases of flowers.
My friend and I decided to be gluttons and ordered TWO appetizers to go with our glasses of wine (sparkling white is a fun as it looks)! I ordered the mussels in the Roquefort cream sauce since I have a soft spot for blue cheeses. The dish was good and solid, but I do feel that the Roquefort sauce was too robust for the mussels. However, that didn't stop us from using the bread at the table to soak up all the sauce and enjoy its flavors. The second appetizer, escargot with mushrooms sauteed in herbed butter and garlic, was divine! The escargot had a nice texture, much like the mussels, and was not tough or chewy in any way. I would go back to simply enjoy this appetizer.
We both had the onglet (hanger steak) as an entree. The steak was cooked just right at medium rare with a nice, brown sear on the outside. I felt that the pepper sauce, which seemed to be based with the pan drippings, complimented the meat well. The fries and salad that accompanied the steak were not anything to write home about, but they were simple and good. It would have taken away from the steak if they were any better.
Almost everything about Aixois deserves 5 stars--the service, the decor, the appetizers, the drinks (though, I did expect a bigger wine list), the entrees. The only down point of the dinner was, surprisingly, dessert. My friend and I split the profiteroles, and it was really disappointing. The choux pastry was stale and tough to eat; it lacked a rich, buttery flavor as well. The ice cream filling was good, but we couldn't fully enjoy it due to pastry.
Overall, I had a great time at Aixois and intend to return for drinks and appetizers, especially when the weather is warmer and the patio is open. This is a great place for dates and drinks with friends. -
Review from Clayton R.
Overland Park, KS
I must admit that I am not a fan of anything French. I've been to the country - meh. Some things are overrated, and France's opinion of itself definitely is at the top of that list. Given my jaded background, it might seem odd that I would go to a French restaurant. Alas, I have a girlfriend.
So, there we were, in a French restaurant. It really wasn't too "French" which was fine with me. It was more bistro, and reminded me of Europe, but only vaguely so. It was in a nice little corner of town, along, for lack of a better word, an antiquated strip mall. Other shops along the mall included "Cafe Europa" a couple florists, a nice little boutique, etc. Pretty nice neighbors.
Aixois itself is on the corner, and the inside is very cozy. The tables and decor is fun and variable, and I really liked it. Contrary to what others have said, I didn't pick up a "chic" vibe when I went in, so maybe they have toned it down. There were several afluent patrons, and several groupon users - so a good mix.
We had a couple glasses of wine, an appetizer, two entrees and a dessert for under a hundred bucks before tip (we used a Groupon, boom). The food was pretty good. They cooked their hanger steak perfectly, and I absolutely loved it. The sauce was spicy, which overpowered the meat slightly, but I could still get to the flavor. My girlfriend's mussels were very good as well and seasoned delicately. However, my steak came with fries, which I anticipated would be tossed with herbs and maybe a dusting of parmesan, or something to spice it up. Woefully, they seemed as though they came out of a freezer bag. Don't get me wrong - they were delicious, but when I play 25+ a plate, I expect better. I could've gotten better fries at McDonald's.
Our service was very nice. The bus boy gave us extra bread and our water glasses were never empty. Our small table was kept neat, and although we were seated RIGHT by the bar, it was a nice experience.
I would LOVE Aixois if it were a little cheaper, but to me it is about 25% overpriced, especially if you're trying to compare it to places like Le Fou Frog in Kansas City. If you're not too worried about bang for your buck (I like a good deal most of the time), then you should definitely check it out! The wine is very reasonable, and the ambiance is enjoyable. I would definitely go back, but might settle for a couple glasses of wine and a cheese plate instead of a main course. -
Review from Kevin C.
Kansas City, MO
3/11/2012 Seated via OpenTable
3 starts but I'm thinking closer to 2.5.
I see a lot of people have said the same things I am thinking so here are the highlights:
- Surprisingly, a bit noisy. I was here on 2/13 for dinner and it was maybe 70% full.
- The cheese platter as an app was delicious. I'm not a big cheese person but I enjoyed trying out the different cheeses on the plate.
- I came here last month and I can't remember what I had as an entree D: Probably not a good thing. I do remember, however, that the string beans still had the strings in them (is this normal?) and the mashed potatoes were OK. I thought it was a bit weird that these were the default side dishes served with all entrees. Reminded me of a cafeteria.
- Service from the waitress was OK but her actions seemed more perfunctory than friendly
- Service from the busboy was top notch. Water glasses were filled and dishes cleared in the blink of an eye.
- Most everything seemed overpriced (phew, Groupon). The food wasn't memorable. -
Review from Brenda D.
Updated - 3/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I had heard raves about this place so I was very excited to try it. We bought a Groupon and booked our reservation. Now, I LOVE French food and the food at Aixois was delicious however I didn't think it was that French either... so this was a bit disappointing to me. The escargot was good - sauteed in garlic and butter. Unfortunately, no pastry to help tone down the richness with them.
The waiter suggested the scallops as they were cooked in the same tomato base broth as the cod. My husband was told it came with 4 scallops and he only got 3. I ordered the Cod. It wasn't a broth at all. More like a paste that the seafood sat on top of.
My husband ordered a Chocolate Molten cake for dessert. Definately not like the ones you get in Hawaii. I was disappointed they didn't have Souffle on the menu. Cake was just ok. I wouldn't order it again.
Aixois seems like a great neighborhood bistro and the bar was very vibrant. Not sure I would go back - maybe for a Happy Hour or maybe to try the crepes on a weekend. Interesting enough, one friend told me their fries were good. Call me crazy but I wouldn't go to a french restaurant and order fries....1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/17/2012
I had heard raves about this place so I was very excited to try it. We bought a Groupon and booked… Read more »
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Review from Carol A.
4/1/2012
Aixois French Restaurant has found a new fan. And I think that my three dining companions were similarly impressed. So make that Four New Fans. Hubby, Dear Daughter #2, her Husband (call him Hubby #2) and I had a Groupon that needed using but we had been rather lackadaisical in making reservations for what turned out to be another beautiful, warm late March Friday night. We are normally not late diners (after 8:30 PM). But found that reservations were only available for 9:30 PM. YIKES!
Hubby & I delayed lunch until about 3 PM so as not to be famished and that worked (sort of) but since it was a lovely evening we thought we'd head over to Aixois about half an hour early and we were very glad to find that the patio was open on this Spring evening which probably explained why the gracious staff found us a table only a few minutes after we arrived. We were seated in the main dining room looking out onto the patio. The restaurant space is surprisingly narrow with only about three rows of tables. And partly because of this, it can be quite noisy but it also felt very vibrant and fun.
We began with Mussels in wine broth and an artistically arranged meat and condiments board that featured sausage, ham and house made pate along with mustard, bits of greens, red onion and some wonderful spiced red cabbage. I ordered a Sole entree (why do I go to new restaurants during Lenten Fridays?) which was served with grilled veggies and mashed potato. Hubby went for the Hanger Steak and said it was very flavorful but, as is common with this cut, rather chewy, not melt in your mouth tender. DD#2 & H#2 went with Pork Loin with a Lingonberry reduction and said it was perfection. Hubby was offered a taste and said he'd get that "next time" if it was on the menu. My Sole was good, but not great. It was perfectly cooked and flaky but really didn't have any clearly defined taste or even any discernible seasoning which made it a little disappointing. It was topped with a tomato/olive relish that didn't add enough to the dish for me. It was the only low note in an otherwise exceptionally great evening. We ended the meal by having desserts that were not part of the Groupon package. All were delicious and presented with a special chef's flair.
Our server plus all the staff that we had contact with were friendly and helpful. From reading other Yelp views, I was slightly apprehensive about what we would encounter. But I need not have worried for we got efficient, quick and gracious service. When our Server found out that we had a Groupon, he showed us all that was available and recommended a very nice crisp white wine that turned out to be just my type of wine: not too dry with just a hint of sweetness. Each course appeared at the correct time interval so that we never felt rushed at any point while still being allowed to eat and enjoy at our own pace.
I would gladly recommend Aixois as a special occasion destination and look forward to making another visit soon. I'll just be sure to make a reservation earlier and pick a non-Lent Friday next time.Listed in: Best French Restaurant in KC…
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Review from Alex G.
Kansas City, MO
4/10/2012
An excellent location nestled in the Crestwood Shopping Center, Aixois offered a nice dinner. The appetizers were excellent, though the entrees were not spectacular, especially when considering the price. Service was efficient if not overly-friendly. It was difficult to hear conversation due to the acoustics. Overall, a pleasant restaurant that we may occasionally visit.
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Review from Perry C.
Shawnee Mission, KS
3/30/2012
Pleasant--though not quiet--and with better-than-average service, Aixois is a long-time feature of the midtown Kansas City restaurant scene. The French-styled menu offers a good range of choices despite the limited number of selections. The wine list is good, centered almost entirely on French and American vintages. On our recent visit, both the steak and pork tenderloin were properly prepared and served hot; vegetable sides were fresh and very good; mashed potatoes excellent. Value is fair; Groupons are frequently available and often seen. Use of Open Table to make a reservation for only twenty minutes later worked flawlessly.
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Review from Corey O.
1/29/2012
I've only been here once and I got a meal to go.
I had the frog legs, and they were soooo buttery good. That's pretty much it. Simply really tasty.
On top of that, Aixois was really really kind. I was in a huge rush to grab my food and get to Shakespeare in the Park, and I forgot my wallet. Bartender who got my food told me it wasn't a problem. He told me to take the food and call in my credit card number as soon as possible. I ran home really quick, called in and gave him my info. It was exactly the sort of neighborhood friendliness that resonates with me!
All of that makes me really happy that they're opening up a downtown location on Walnut in Spring '12. Can't wait! -
Review from Angela K.
12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really try hard to like this place. A friend of mine lives near here so I give it try every once in a while in hopes that it magically gets better. It doesn't.
The service is almost non-existent. Trying to get someone to wait on you is a feat unto itself. And while the food is somewhat decent, every time I go here there are flies all over the place. To the point of distraction and skin-crawling level.
That just doesn't fly with me.
I couldn't help it. Sorry. -
Review from Cathy C.
12/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
(Sigh) Another lovely lunch at Aixois. Today I had the mussels-I really enjoyed the sauce, which was wine, herbs and pepper, studded with sweet pieces of onion. It had no butter to weigh it down, and the dish was better for it. My daughter had steak frites, and the steak was delish-crusty and caramelized on the outside, tender and deep pink on the inside. I have to say I like Fou's fries better, but these were good, especially soaked in the steak sauce.
On previous occasions, we've enjoyed chicken crepes, goat cheese salad, the burger. I've had Pan Bagnat on 2 occasions-the first was exquisite-who knew a tuna sandwich could be so devine. The second time was disappointing-the bread too hard, and the tuna was dry. But it was good enough the first time that I'll try again.
I'm not a fan of cherry tomatoes, but when Aixois grills them, they're amazing!
On most occasions, the service is friendly, attentive, and competent. Bread and water were refilled on a regular basis today. I agree that the seating is a bit tight in parts of the restaurant, and it can get a bit noisy, but if not excessive it lends a friendly, happy feel. The patio in nice weather (not today!) is a relaxing place to sit and envy those who can call Brookside home. -
Review from Shea S.
10/8/2011
My boyfriend and I use the term "faux fancy" about places that try be chic and people talk about going there because they want to be chic, but somehow the whole experience falls flat.
Aixois is faux fancy.
I wanted to love it. I really did. We adore French food. The atmosphere was charming: twinkling lights, a bustling patio full of bistro tables and and remarkably attractive patrons, cozy tables inside...
But something was just... off.
Maybe it was the service that, while friendly, was hardly attentive. We were repeatedly having to ask for things: another round of drinks, a basket of bread to go with the escargot, more water please, a knife for the cheese plate...
Or maybe it was the food. The escargot was a bit rubbery. The scallops were well-prepared, but the vegetable sides were overcooked and cold. The highlights were the cheese plate (as mentioned in many previous reviews) and the baguette. The wine list was also great and the Bordeaux I opted for was excellent.
I didn't outright dislike Aixois. But I didn't love it either. And if I went back, it would be to sit on that patio and enjoy a glass of wine and the cheese plate before heading somewhere else for dinner. -
Review from Debbie F.
Overland Park, KS
11/16/2011
Enjoyed our first trip to Aixois due to a Groupon offer. We were immediately seated on Tuesday evening for dinner around 6:45; a fair amount of people were enjoying dinner. Unfortunately, our hostess seated us in the middle of the dining room, which placed us in a skinny aisle for high amount of traffic. The table was unusually small, too. Conversation was difficult due to the acoustics in the facility. Immediately upon being seated we were offered bread and butter...yummy! Now that all the negatives have been proclaimed, allow me to share the many positives!
Even though our high-energy server seemed a bit rushed and unrelaxed, he offered helpful suggestions and was knowledgeable of the menu. The appetizer of several kinds of cheeses, crackers, fruit (grapes, apple slices and raisins) and walnuts paired very nicely with our Pinot Noir wine. My filet mignon was outstanding, as well as the sides of mashed potatoes, string beans and roasted tomato. My husband's cornish hen was delicious, also. The temperature of all items was most appropriate. Our server remained attentive to our needs and desires.
In addition to being a fabulous secret hide-away restaurant, the neighborhood that surrounds the restaurant is just precious and very unique!
We really enjoyed our evening out at Aixois...so very pleasant! -
Review from Micah T.
Kansas City, MO
12/22/2011
I had every intention and hope of going to Aixois and leaving with a smile - and every reason as well. I live, quite literally, within a softball's toss of it and would love to have a "go to" dining location. Additionally, this was not my first visit, but I gave it time before posting a review based on a single experience. In short - inattentive, rude service combined with "meh" dishes will ensure that I don't go back unless it's for a bottle of wine and good atmosphere (both of which Aixois has plenty).
I ordered both the rack of lamb and the campo lindo chicken dish on my separate visits. First comment, why does a french restaurant serve nearly every dish on its regular menu with a side of fries? Secondly, so much about french cuisine is depth of flavor and the feeling that it was carefully constructed to perfection - more akin to a work of art than a mere "recipe." I did not get this sense at all with either of the dishes I've had there - nor did any of my five companions who were there as well. I was jealous of the hamburger an apparently prescient member of our party ordered.
Going beyond the unexciting food, the service was horrible. Although seemingly pleasant, our waitress during my last visit was inattentive and clearly thought we didn't belong (perhaps she was right). Having gone as three couples, we very politely asked her to divide the check and was told "that'll take fifteen minutes - do you still want to do it?" Upon receiving our answer of "yes," she was, without apology, upset. Was she simply thinking there's no way we'd agree to wait fifteen minutes for her to do her job?
All in all - pretention aside - the experience was underwhelming and left us, to a person, unimpressed. Take the time to walk a few doors down to Cafe Europa where I always get impeccable service and tasty food. -
Review from Scott D.
Updated - 2/14/2012 3 photos
Feel bad for all the Yelpers who have not gotten great service here. They really laid in the waitstaff for Valentine's Day evening. This is one of our very favorite restaurants (we usually go for lunch), and this evening the food and service were spot-on for us once again. Bravo Aixois!
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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3/29/2011
Had lunch here last week, the best French onion soup I've ever tasted, my wife's tomato-basil soup… Read more »
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Review from Kenna B.
10/23/2011 12 Check-ins Here
I love Aixois. It's a perfect stop after a long day to relax, drink a glass of wine, converse with friends, and partake of wonderful French food.
Aixois is someplace to come when you want to take your time. If you think you're going to drop by for a quick dinner, think again, because the service is european style (plan for at least 1.5-2 hours).
The atmosphere is captivating. It really makes you feel like you are on the outskirts of a small French village. The food is always amazing. They have specials that change daily, which I love because I can try something new every time I visit. The food is always perfectly prepared, and full of flavor.
My favorite salad is the "Salade de Betteraves au Roquefort." The beets are fresh and flavorful, and pair perfectly with the spinach and carmalized walnuts. As for the entrees, I love their steaks (what I usually order) and the duck (a special). They also have a hazelnut ice cream as a desert on their daily specials sometimes. It is divine!
As I mentioned before, the service is slow, but it is attentive. There is one person who goes around to all of the tables and refills water, so you never have to ask for your water to be refilled. I've been here quite a few times, and the only time I had bad service was my last visit. I was there with a friend just as they were transitioning to serve dinner. We ordered and received a cheese plate (which was not worth the $14 they charged...only 4 different small cheeses, 10 candied walnuts, 20 squishy grapes, and 3 paper thin apple slices. Judging from the photo of a cheese plate on yelp, this is not always the case).
After this, our waiter disappeared for a good 30 minutes, and it was super hard to get anyone's attention because they were all chatting. I'm confidant that this was just an "off" night, and my good experiences here far outweigh this one incident. On previous experiences, the waitresses have always been pleasant, attentive, and can be seen conversing with their regulars. -
Review from Joe H.
Prairie Village, KS
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
The genuine feel of a real French Bistro - old world styling and accents coupled with a wall of windows that overlook a tree lined parkway could make it easy to forget you aren't actually in France.
The menu was solid (but sort of safe - uninventive) and the service was superb. There were enough choices to keep me interested but nothing leaped out at me. Our waitress was remarkably helpful and full of suggestions that made the meal a real pleasure.
(Their spirit menu was very impressive!)
Definitely worthy of many repeat visits. -
Review from Kelly P.
Kansas City, MO
2/20/2012
Was disappointed, we went for the escargot. But it was so buttered and seasoned you had no idea what you were eating. The steak was delicious. Atmosphere seems a little tired but, it is romantic.
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Review from Sara D.
2/4/2012
They have a coffee bar that you can walk up to and order from.....Once the employees acknoledge your presence, the coffee is pretty good!
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Review from steve s.
Dallas, TX
1/2/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Pretend you're in France, relax, and have no expectations for attentive service. Can you feel it? Good, now you're ready for Aixois. My girlfiend and I ate here a few days after Christmas, and it was twinkly, warm, bistro noisy, and lovely inside. We had a lovely meal, thoroughly enjoying the cheese plate, trout (huge serving prepared very nicely), and waiter-suggested vino. The duck special of the evening was on the rare-tough side (and I love rare meat), but we did not have an extra hour or so that the return process would have surely entailed. Bon appetit!
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Review from Meghan M.
5/23/2011
I have been here twice. Once for lunch, which was fabulous, and once for the Monday night family style dinner using a Groupon. The family style night is a good deal, and we were surprised by their reasonable draft beer prices ($3.75 for Stella!).
Both experiences were very good. I find it to be a relaxed yet sophisticated restaurant with good service. We, a young not so rich not so porsche driving couple, likely stood out like a sore thumb at Aixios, but the staff treated us just the same, which I cannot say about other "nicer" establishments. I love that this is a neighborhood joint, as many of the customers knew their servers and the chef. The patio is also a great place in to enjoy your meal.
As for the food, I believe I had the sole fish a few years ago, and it was delicious so I was excited to order fish again. I had the rainbow trout with pommes frites. It was also fabulous! Their pommes frites are very good. I'm eager to try their hanger steak next.
Now for the bad news, my hubs ordered the tilapia nicoise with mashed potatoes. Both of us were completely disappointed. The tilapia smelled extra fishy (not a good sign), and the nicoise with a tomato base seemed to accentuate the fishy-ness. Eww. The mashed potatoes were completely bland. To my taste buds, this dish was a failure.
Due to the service, atmosphere, and other good dishes, I'm willing to overlook one bad dish and give them 4 stars. -
Review from Travis S.
Saint Louis, MO
5/16/2011
Yummmmm. I had the pleasure of taking my first trip to Paris about a year ago. Last week, I made a return trip to a Parisian cafe in the form of Aixois as a celebratory graduation dinner!
Our experience started with a splendid bottle of Tangley Oaks Merlot. My first course was the soupe du jour, vichyssoise, that was heavenly. Vichyssoise is a cold finely pureed potato soup seasoned with leeks and was garnished with olive oil and fresh herbs. My companions split a salade d'avocat aux crevettes grillees. It was a delightful salad of fresh greens topped with sliced avocado and grilled shrimp accompanied by a remoulade-esque dressing.
For our main dishes, we had the poulet roti (roasted chicken), escalope de veau (veal scaloppini), and foie de veau saute (sauteed veal liver). The veal liver was definitely the star of the meal. Perfectly sauteed portions of liver accompanied by caramelized onions, perfectly mashed potatoes, and a warm apple compote. The scaloppini was a touch overcooked and came with the same wonderful mashed potatoes. The roasted chicken received lackluster reviews as under-seasoned, but came with hot, crispy pommes frites (french fries) and a small salad of fresh mixed greens. The menu doesn't clearly state what sides come with the entrees, so we ordered a side of fries for the table to share as well. Though not quite up to Parisian standards, the fries were very good! I was a little surprised that they were served with a side of ketchup, rather than aioli or mayonnaise, as the French would eat them.
We ended the evening with the dessert sampler, a sweet array of delightful goodies. The sampler included creme brulee, a profiterole, chocolate mousse, floating island, and, as a bonus, the waiter threw in a piece of diablo cake, the dessert of the day. While all of these were very well done, the mousse, cake, and profiterole were outstanding.
I would highly recommend for a romantic evening out or a great place to celebrate a special event. If possible, request the front dining room, as it is not as noisy as the larger back room. -
Review from Angela D.
San Diego, CA
6/29/2011
New to KC, I've been to Aixois 3 times and it's always a great experience. I like to go during the slower times between 2pm and 5pm where I can bring my computer and work on my business at the cafe instead of going to Starbucks. It's big enough to find a nice spot inside or out and have space to work and eat.
They have great food and coffee drinks. I love their Iced Good Morning Chai. Today, I tried the escargot and it was a scrumptious combination of mushroom, pesto and tasty escargot.
During the day, it's casual and classy. At night, I imagine it to be more dressy but I am sure that blue jeans are fine too.
I have not tried the dinner yet but can only imagine it to be delightful in this pretty French bistro that serves some of my favorite foods like gazpacho, escargot and delightful salads. -
Review from Linda S.
Phoenix, AZ
12/19/2011
The noise, oh the noise the noise the NOISE.....this tiny little bistro is the loudest in the tri-state area....but the food far outweighs the loud chatter. An extensive wine list, well prepared appetizers, and a fabulous trout to savor keeps this in a four-star rating. The chicken - all white meat for my finicky husband - was sublime, frites outstanding, and the waitress was efficiently delightful. A real star near the Brookside area.
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Review from Carrie C.
Kansas City, MO
Ok folks, I have once again returned to Aixois to bask in their delicious foods. This time, my mom and I both branched out from our usuals of salmon salad and the Aixios burger to try the mussels and steak frites.
My mom (who ordered the mussels) ate every last one, and to my surprise, didn't drink the wine sauce right from the bowl! However, she did go on to say that it was perfect and light.
I ordered the Steak frites, which to my delight came with both a small house salad and a good handfull of their awesome pommes frites. The steak was pretty big for lunch, but no complaints here considering I ate every last bit of it. I'm not sure what type of sauce it had, but whatever it was was out of this world. Especially when I soaked some it up with my pommes frites! The salad was delicious as always - their dressing is lovely.
And, this time I was able to talk my mom into splitting dessert, so we ordered the fruit and chocolate fondue. YUM! The fruits (stawberries, bananas, and to my surprise, grapes) were nice and fresh and chilled and dusted with powdered sugar. Served with warm and silky chocolate dipping sauce, the remainder of which I could have just drank right out of the ramekin.
I'm thinking next time, I'll try the fruit crepes.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/20/2011
When my mom first suggested that I try Aixois, I was a bit apprehensive. I had never tried French… Read more »
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Review from Krystal P.
Leawood, KS
11/12/2011
We tried Aixois on a groupon, but would have eventually made it there since we love both French food and Brookside. The restaurant was cute. We went on a Thursday night, and I must say the noise level is very obnoxious. I am not sure if it is the layout or the fact there is no overhead music, but you could hear every conversation in the restaurant.
The food was very good. I can't go French without ordering escargot - their is good. A little on the garlicky side (which says a lot coming from me), but tasty. For my entree I had steak frites. The frites weren't as thin and crunchy as you would expect from a French restuarant, but they did the trick. The steak was delicious. My husband ordered a shrimp pasta that was very good. We finished with a chocolate crepe that was out of this world.
We will be back :) -
Review from Danielle S.
Houston, TX
7/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I think part of the reason Aixois was such a disappointing experience was the fact that it had been talked up so much during my past two trips. Everybody seemed to love Aixois, so when my friends and I had an opportunity to grab breakfast together, I was excited to try this little French outpost in Brookside. I can't speak for lunch or dinner but I wouldn't recommend Aixois for breakfast. If you're looking for something past the coffee shop model, you won't find much of it here. The breakfast menu is extremely limited and it's mostly premade (though good) things like croissants and muffins. I ended up with a baguette and nutella combo and a cup of coffee just because nothing else sounded good. My friend ordered a waffle and it took an ungodly length of time for it to finally reach her.
On my next trip, I'd be willing to give Aixois another shot--just not for breakfast. -
Review from F Q.
Kansas City, MO
1/2/2012
My favorite part of this place is the ambience. Other than that, the food is average and the service could definitely be improved.
I was hesitant after reading the reviews, but we thought we'd head over there on a weekday night and try it, as French food is our favorite and this was one of the few places we hadn't tried. First thing that irritates me is that though we don't have reservations, there are more than a few empty tables for two that I can see. And yet it took 20-30minutes to be seated. This is after another couple stormed out unhappily because although they had been seated before we even got there, they never were served. Not a good sign.
So perhaps it's just the host/hostess area in which this restaurant is lacking. The waiter, besides mixing up our wine orders which honestly wasn't a big deal to us, was not a problem. The menu was certainly lacking, not enough choices. I ended up ordering pasta, oddly enough, at this french restaurant. It was quite good, but I wish they had a good cassoulet available. The wine list was what I'd expect from a French restaurant. It was fairly pricey.
I have been here years ago for the coffee bar which I loved, again for mainly the ambience. I would recommend going here once as it is a romantic, cutesy setting...but if you truly love French food, this restaurant will not hit the spot for you. Also, get reservations no matter what weekday it is or how empty the restaurant is, apparently. -
Review from Mike P.
1/8/2011
I wish I could get my $28.25 returned and take it to an establishment that actually wants my business. It took fifteen minutes after the barista seated us to even get noticed by a waitress...even though there were four eating lunch five yards from us.
No big deal. My friend and I are easy going. Our waitress brought us a white sliced baguette and butter and we placed our order. While we waited for our food the restaurant manager was sitting at the bar a few yards away from us bossing around his wait staff in a demeaning tone. There was tension in the air. You could tell the wait staff disliked this man.
We listened to this manager try to talk his Hispanic bus boy into quitting his second job at Blue Grotto. They discussed how much money the wait staff made in tips the following Thursday dinner service. These kind of conversations need to happen in private and not in front of customers.
The food was great but was overshadowed by the poor service.
Escargots de Bourgogne
Croque Monsieur
Salad Niçoise
When we exited we passed the manager standing at the host desk. He didn't thank us or even look at us. My friend exclaimed "Bye, thank you" in a sarcastic tone. This manager still didn't say anything.
We will never spend our entertainment dollars here again. I would suggest anyone looking to do so heed the words of these Yelp reviews. -
Review from Katherine G.
Kansas City, MO
10/19/2011
I have a love affair with all things French...and mostly with French food and wine, so I was naturally excited to try Aixois. Since I have dined at (and LOVE) Le Fou Frog, I have to admit that I went in with some expections of old world-feel, dim lighting, and an adventurous and unique menu. Unfortunately, what I got was a little less than. Let me break it down:
Decor:
The building itself is in a strip mall-type building (albeit a very nice one) and thus has many modern features which made it a little less than quaint. There were several attempts at bringing the French bistro into Kansas City, such as the tables, chairs and window treatments, but in a modern building, it just didn't feel quite right to me.
Patrons:
The place was pretty crowded for a Tuesday night at 8 pm and the crowd seemed to be mostly 45+ and well-dressed. Because of the crowd, it was a little loud at times, but I am ok with that.
Menu:
Very safe and not exactly what I was expecting. I mean, it was Mexican Night, excuse me, La Noche Mexicain,,,wha??? But I digress,,,
We started with a cheese plate, which had some wilty grapes but other than that, contained some really lovely cheeses. We also had mussels in wine broth, which were mediocre. For dinner, my boyfriend had the pork chops (admittedly, from the Mexican Night menu) and while the meat was perfectly cooked, the flavors were mild and fairly average. I had the hanger steak from the regular menu and once again, the meat was cooked perfectly and had a spicy green peppercorn sauce that I did enjoy. I would have liked a little less sauce so I could fully enjoy the flavor of the meat, but no real complaints. However, my lovely steak came with fries (not fancy and seasoned, just plain ole fries) and....ketchup. Yep, a little ketchup bowl. On my plate. Like at the diner. Ok, ok, I know I am sounding snotty here, but when I head out for nice evening at a French restaraunt and am paying upwards of $20 per plate, I am looking for a little more than average. Fair?
Wine:
The wine list here was very nice. We had a glass of their Cotes du Rhone and it was AWESOME! With dinner, Adam had a Chardonney (good but nothing special) and I had a Bordeaux that was nice and mild.
Service:
Our waitress was very nice and provided excellent service. I have absolutely no complaints here.
Overall:
The experience overall was underwhelming. One earlier review used the term "faux fancy" and I have to agree. I went wanting to really love the place and I just couldn't do it. I would return to try their coffee bar on a Sunday or to sit on their patio in the spring/summer and enjoy a glass of that Cotes du Rhone, but other than that? Au Revoir, Aixois, I think I will stick with Le Fou Frog. -
Review from Kackie C.
Austin, TX
There's not much worse in a dining experience than leaving feeling like you got robbed. Not because the prices are high, but because the food and service were so lousy. I ordered a burger, medium rare, with toppings the waitress said would be an extra $2. The burger comes with fries and a salad. I wanted the salad more than the fries but I didn't fuss. Fries aren't bad. My boyfriend ordered the mozzarella sandwich. His arrived cold. Mine arrived medium well, with no salad. "I guess they're getting ready for tonight so they didn't give you any salad," said the waitress. I told her she could have the fries, given the choice I'd prefer a salad. She brought me back a bowl with a meager pile of leaves. I thanked her.
The burger was completely unseasoned. I can't remember the last time I had to salt a burger. I understand that service is bound to be lackluster on new years eve, but forgive me for wanting to be pleasantly surprised.
Upon receiving the check, I saw I'd been charged an extra dollar on my burger, making it $12, maybe for the inconvenience of having asked for what was listed on the menu as part of what I ordered. I thought to balk, even though splitting hairs isn't my style, but my boyfriend said, "well, I have a feeling this is the only time we'll ever be here." so we just swallowed it. Sorry, Aixois. Wholly, WHOLLY unimpressed. -
Review from Mary H.
Lawrence, KS
3/10/2011
Totally worth a return visit.
We drove in from Lawrence to go to dinner in KC and after we found one place with a 45 minute wait, I called Aixois and they were able to get us in by the time we arrived. Super cute set-up--however, if you want more intimate seating, go on the left side of the bar (across from the host stand). They had sports on, clearly visible to the diners not at the bar which I don't understand but whatever.
I had beef bourguignon which I wouldn't normally order but at that point I was going to give up meat for Lent so I wanted to go out with a bang. It was delish! So tender and flavorful without being too stew-like. Another diner had pork chops which were GIANORMOUS but still very moist and flavorful. They also had the split pea soup which did not taste like mushy peas but rather mildly pea-tasting in a good way. The third dinner had a burger that she ordered medium but definitely came out a little bloodier than medium. It had great flavor apparently regardless.
They ordered creme brulee and really seemed to like it. There was definitely an extensive wine list so I would suggest bringing your Amex (that's "Am ex" not "Aim ex" all you RHOC viewers) if you plan on really imbibing. -
Review from Lee F.
Kansas City, MO
2/1/2011
It's been a while since I have been to Axois. 4 of us went there on Saturday night to celebrate a birthday. Being that it was restaurant week in Kansas City, Axois was doing a Prix Fixe menu as well as their normal menu.
I ordered the free range chicken. It comes with a small side of greens and fries. To my astonishment, the chicken was very dry. In retrospect, I should have sent it back. Especially being that the dish cost $17. This is my biggest issue with Axois. Any chicken dish, no matter how good or bad should never, ever cost $17 !! Maybe in New York, not here!!
I ordered the chicken because I am am on a strict diet at the moment. Any other time I would have ordered the burger. Their burger is great but it costs $12 ! Again, not worth $12
The atmosphere is ok, but I really never have that craving to go to Axois. If I want real French cuisine, I'll go to Le Fou Frog.
The rest of the meal was very good. My dinner mates all liked their meals but none of them did back flips over them!!
I think next time, I will go for lunch or my occasional coffee. -
Review from John H.
Overland Park, KS
1/4/2012
Went for anniversary. Ordered the cheese platter as an appetizer. It was pretty good and varied, although we weren't told what any of the cheeses were. Our food came out before we were done with the cheese platter, which is really annoying to my wife. I ordered the wild boar rack, which to be fair I've never had. It was pretty tough and not interesting at all. My wife's roasted chicken was very tasty however. Decor is boring except for the front area.
Overpriced. Yelp has this at $$, but most entrees are around $20, so I challenge anyone to get out under $30 a pop. Definitely not worth it. -
Review from Bill B.
10/16/2010 ROTD 5/14/2011
This French bistro, Aixois, (pronounced "x-wah"), provides unusually good value. Unlike many French restaurants in this country, Aixois ("the man from Aix-en-Provence") provides large quantities at very reasonable prices with a friendly unpretentious staff, and the food matches the high expectations that the French have of their own restaurants.
Aix-en-Provence, in the South of France, is a small city that can be viewed as a college town, since there is a well known university there. Aix is a short train commute from Marseilles on the Mediterranean coast. People in Aix and Marseilles value and expect good food, but rarely dine at Michelin three star restaurants. They don't need to. They have many really good restaurants. Unfortunately in the US there is a tendency to view French restaurants as pretentious and expensive. Aixois has brought to Kansas City the sophisticated food that the French in the Cote d'Azur expect when they go out to dinner themselves.
The chef, Emmanuel Langlade, was the sous chef at Chez Nous in Austin, Texas, in an exceptional location in the center of the Sixth Street nightlife area of that city, before he moved to Kansas City as a partner in Cafe Des Amis in Parkville, north of the river. He now is owner and chef, with his wife Megan, at Aixois. During the eight years that I lived in Austin, Chez Nous was one of my least favorite restaurants. To my way of thinking, it was exactly what a French restaurant should not be. But Chef Langlade is from Aix-en-Provence in the South of France, was trained in Marseille, and has also worked in Britain, Paris, and Washington, DC. Now that he has his own restaurant and is not just a sous chef, we can see what he really can do; and he and his wife are doing it right.
This is not an upscale "fine dining" restaurant, but if you really want to spend big bucks on French fine dining, you'll do better in France or Belgium. In the US, you will spend three times as much as at Aixois on a French fine dining experience, and it won't match what you would experience in a MIchelin two star restaurant in France or Belgium, never mind a three star. I am ranking this restaurant five stars relative to its prices. In contrast, I would not give five Yelp stars to many French fine-dining restaurants in the US, except for three or four very expensive ones in some of the country's largest cities. You might prefer to save that money towards an airline ticket to France.
One thing that I'd like to see added to the menu is bouillabaisse in the Marseilles style, which is the best in the world, and is the only authentic bouillabaisse. In fact, it started in Marseilles. No, it is not a premixed fish soup in chicken broth (groan), as at almost all American restaurants that serve it. In Marseilles the fish and shellfish are served on a separate platter, while the correct broth is served in a bowl with rounds of bread spread with rouille. Sometimes the rouille also is served separately. The real thing is an experience never to be forgotten.
This chef would know how to do it right. -
Review from Sarah A.
Kansas City, MO
9/1/2011
My parents went to Aixios last night. They were seated on the patio and given water. The candle on their table was lit and then they were promptly forgotten about for half an hour before they got up and left. Everyone else (four other tables) were fully served, including people who came after them. Immediately after they got up, they noticed someone went to clear the table. Needless to say, they were disappointed.
