{Le Pain Quotidien in Dusseldorf, Germany}

Late this afternoon we went to Le Pain Quotidien for a light lunch after a full day of shopping. The atmosphere is very casual and reminiscent of a cafe where you could gather over a cup of coffee with friends & family & mingle & gossip & be. But they also offer many food items in case you are hungry… which for me… happens quite often

The interior design is rustic and the table centerpieces are very au naturel… I the coffee beans in the candle holder and look… a miniature Easter egg tree… very similar to what my sister has in her own home. It’s a nice deviation for the typical floral designs. Speaking of coffee beans… what a great idea to use common house items to stabilize motive candles such as jelly beans or pasta shells. Later… remove the candle to transform the holder into a candy dish or a pasta container. Or turn it upside down to make a cake stand!

My parents ordered the cobb salad. I don’t know about you… but this looks nothing like the cobb salad I am used to. I had a bite and while it was very delicious… I’m not sure I would call it a cobb salad. Maybe a fancied up version of a mixed green salad… but a cobb salad? Absolutely not!

My sister & I both ordered a warm tartine dish. Above is my sister’s order and below is my order. Above the tartine is topped with grilled chicken… sauteed mushrooms… gruyere cheese & arugula with a mustard sauce on the side.

My tartine dish was on the sweeter side as it was topped with gruyere cheese… sliced pears & drizzled with a bit of honey. Honey… pears & cheese work very well together and offer a perfect balance between sweet & savory.

While Germany may not have the best dim sum… pho… or sushi in the world… the country really has perfected the art of serving up hearty salads… wonderful baked goodies… and superb hot cocoa! So much so that Europe… all of Europe… is beginning to feel like a second home to me and that is a very very good thing indeed

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