Wild Flower’s outdoor patio at the corner of Laclede and Euclid is one of the most charming in the Central West End. The menu is innovative, organic, locally sourced and a bit Frenchy—a combination that’s very appealing to their hip clientele.   The pooch friendly area also offers water bowls for pets.

I ordered the half sandwich, soup, salad combo, while my lunch companion had the Nicoise Salad, a dish that I enjoyed watching a youthful Julia Child compose on YouTube.  The grainy film was vintage Julia.  At one point, she exclaimed, “Potatoes are a very neurotic vegetable; you never know how they’re going to turn out.”

According to my friend, the Nicoise Salad at Wild Flower was brimming with flavor, having been blessed with the usual ingredients: red potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, kalamata olives, tomatoes, haricot vert, plus Irish organic salmon.

When I later searched for a recipe for this classic dish, I came upon a great video from Chef Jon-Paul Hutchins.  If you’re not into Nicoise, you can forget that he’s demonstrating how to make the elegant French salad.  The 38-minute YouTube film is loaded with useful tips that you can use on any dish.  The knife techniques alone are worth the time.

Wild Flower Restaurant & Catering, 4590 Laclede, Central West End.  Open:  Everyday, except Tuesday, from 7a till 1a.