Foodie Adventure: Le Pain Quotidien
What a better way to wind down on a weekend than a Sunday brunch in beautiful Newport Beach? A friend and I decided that True Foods Kitchen would be our spot for the morning, but alas, they had run into some plumbing issues and would not be open for brunch. At least we received a $10 gift card for our troubles! Since the both of us were extremely famished, we were willing to settle for anything. We stumbled upon Le Pain Quotidien. It is a relatively new restaurant in Fashion Island, and coincidently, I've been wanting to give it a try. Here is what we found:
Upon walking into the quaint restaurant, I was overwhelmed by the stacks of pastries and cakes. The windows were lined with the fresh baked goods and I couldn't take my eyes off of them. Seeing that I was in such a ravenous state, I could've eaten the whole row of fruit tarts. But, I had self-control.
I decided to be adventurous yesterday, so instead of ordering my usual water, I got their watermelon cooler. It had fresh pressed watermelon with lemon, agave, and cucumber. The drink was quite refreshing on this hot day, but I felt that the lemon did not mix well with the watermelon. In some sips, the lemon actually overpowered the watermelon and it tasted odd. Not something I would order again.
On the other hand, the Paris Ham and Gruyere Tartine was to die for. It came with cornichons and a delicious mustard trio. The sweetness of the ham mixed with the sour taste of the cornichons and the sharp taste of the mustards were a harmonious combination. The gruyere was the cherry on top, bringing together the tartine with its milky texture and sweet and salty taste. The whole plate was devoured in minutes.
In the end, I ended up paying $20 for my meal (Including tax and tip). It stung a little bit, seeing that I only have a meager college student budget, but I think I can survive. If only I had gotten the water. Overall, Le Pain Quotidien is a place I would try again, but I think for next time, I'll settle for one of their savory pastries and call it a day. On second thought, I may purchase a couple of fruit tarts too.