It's hard to go wrong with Mussels Provençal -- that classic French bowl of mussels, steamed in their shells in a spirited white wine sauce.
But even if you're a fan of this dish, you may not be prepared for how gorgeously it's executed at Brasserie by Niche, arguably the best restaurant in the restaurant-rich Central West End. Here the mussels aren't just pleasingly plump; they're downright fat. And that's key to their ability to absorb the wonderfully fragrant broth they've been cooked in -- in Brasserie's incarnation, they're so deliciously juicy, they seem to be channeling fresh tarragon and warm garlicky liquid right into your mouth.
Beginning last year, RFT restaurant critic Ian Froeb counted down -- in no particular order -- 100 of his favorite dishes in St. Louis. Now Gut Check has taken up where he left off. Check back frequently as we detail our 100 favorites, and don't hesitate to send us yours, too, either via the comments thread or at tips@riverfronttimes.com.
Riverfront Times works for you, and your support is essential.
Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of St. Louis and beyond.
Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.
Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep St. Louis' true free press free.