Le Pain Quotidien

Another of my favorite hangouts is less modern city chic, but French farmhouse refined. Le Pain Quotidien is a Belgian chain of bakeries specializing in rustic breads and simple, scrumptous desserts and the coffee is darn good too. I love ordering my cappucino and seeing it arrive in a bowl with lots of seaming foam. The flute aux noisette is also a staple for me with raisins and whole hazelnuts, it's particularly yummy with their house label Garrigue honey. A recent special creatively toasted the flute with gorgonzola cheese. The communal table is central to the theme of the place with the a wide variety of self-service spreads set out to make breakfast social, as well as tasty. The service is especially good here which is something rare in a country where tipping is not a custom. It could be that I'm in our local Pain at least twice a week so I received especially good service, but the waiter forgot to bring my cappucino after I finished my lunch and he actuallly gave it to me sur la maison. On entering the cafe there is a variety of products for sale as well as dishware with the Pain Quotidien logo. Even if I don't stop in, I love to linger in front of the shop window and admire the beautiful pastries prominately displayed to lure in customers...sometimes I can't resist!



http://www.lepainquotidien.com/