LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN – THE DAILY BREAD

Bon Jour!

A friend of mine is planning a trip to Paris and wanted some advice.  I love helping friends with their travel plans because, not only do I get to relive some of my own journeys around the world, but I also get to live vicariously through their travels.

So, my girlfriend and I got together last night and had fun reminiscing about a trip to France that Brad and I made with our sons, Nathan and Taylor, way back in 2007. We poured over my photos of the trip put together in a wonderful book that Nathan produced and gave to us as a thank-you gift.  (This is what you look like after 12 hours of flight:  tired and disheveled but very happy to be in Paris!)

Our trip was in celebration of Nathan’s graduation from college and Taylor’s 16th birthday.

We stayed in a charming & quaint hotel called Le Relais Saint Honré near the Louvre.

As I was flipping through the pages of my book it brought to mind, of all things, one of my favorite restaurants: Le Pain Quotidien.  Why?  Well, it actually has to do with the fact that I am addicted to my morning Cappuccino.  It’s something I told you about in a previous post.  I can’t live without my morning Cappuccino, even when traveling.

But our tiny Parisian hotel was so small it did not even serve coffee. So, that sent me on a mission to find a true Parisian cafe where we could walk for our morning brew.  My husband was content to obtain it at, believe-it-or-not, the Starbucks down the street.  Yes, they have Starbucks in Paris!  I love Starbucks by the way, but I was not in Paris to live like an American and was determined to drink my morning coffee like a Parisian. So, after a bit of searching, I discovered what I had been looking for: a charming little Boulangerie/Patisserie called Le Pain Quotidien – The Daily Bread. 

Photo Via Style and Lipstick

I loved going there every morning to sip coffee, eat fresh baked toast and jam, and watch the stylish Parisians stroll by on their way to work.  But, as I later learned, Le Pain Quotidien was actually a Belgian establishment.  And when my son saw the logo, he realized it was the very same company that was in the process of building a cafe directly behind his college flat in Georgetown.

I realized then that it was indeed a very small world.  American Starbucks were being exported to Paris, while Belgian Cafes were showing up on American shores.  I was so delighted to find that this charming establishment, with its really delicious fresh baked and traditionally made organic breads……

Photo Via Le Pain Quotidien

along with their wonderful pastries……

Photo Via Le Pain Quotidien

would soon be cropping up in my son’s backyard, literally!

By the time we returned from our trip, the Le Pain Quotidien had already opened its doors a stone’s throw from my son’s house. Since then, they have opened many more locations throughout the US, including here in Southern California. Sadly, I still have to drive a long way from my home on the mountain to get to a Le Pain Quotidien. But, as luck would have it, there is a location walking distance from my son’s current DC home.

When I’m visiting him, as I have been doing a lot lately, it has become a convenient place for us to grab a casual lunch.

Le Pain Quotidien is famous for its communal tables……

which you can also purchase for your home if you are so inclined.

Photo Via Le Pain Quotidien

The idea is to have friends and families gather around the communal table……

Photo Via Le Pain Quotidien

to share in the time-honored tradition of breaking bread.  A lovely idea, don’t you think?

Photo Via Le Pan Quotidien

Everything I have eaten at Le Pain Quotidien has been healthy and delicious, and much of it is organic.  They specialize in the “Tartine”, which is a Belgian-style, open-faced sandwich, served on organic wheat bread.  I find myself often ordering the same thing: the Smoked Salmon Tartine with avocado, scallions and dill.

Or this tartine of grilled chicken and mozzarella di bufala with diced tomatoes, arugula, herb dressings and tomato salsa.

They offer a variety of quiches on the menu.

And their salads of organic greens are also great.  This is a salad of avocado & hemp seeds, chickpeas and baby greens.

This fresh kale salad is delish.

And here’s one of my other favorite dishes, the Mediterranean Platter.  It’s a trio of hummus, babaganoush and quinoa taboulé, served with an assortment of their delicious breads.

Le Pain Quotidien also has an extensive menu of organic beverages, including beer and wine.  We like the sparkling hibiscus iced tea and the fresh squeezed mint lemonade.

And I love the way they serve the hot tea in cups without a handle.  You have to wrap your hands around the cup, which is, somehow, a soothing way to take tea.

Finally, it is also difficult to resist their large array of pastries.

So, even though Le Pain Quotidien doesn’t know me, I am a big fan and wanted to share this international restaurant chain with you.

I love how food can transport you to a memory in time and enjoyed reminiscing about my memories of Paris with you and my friend.

So, until we meet again……

Au revoir!

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Thank you for visiting!

Celia