LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN

100 Grand Street (among other locations)
[A, C, E to Canal Street – after that, you’re on your own]
www.painquotidien.com

Generally I hate the French. And not that I-hate-because-I-love kind of hate. But even I can’t hate on their daily bread, or their bowls of coffee (how French of them! Just watch out for the large), or their adorable staff, made up of the wispy (but not waspy) kind of girls who LOVE to do their undergrad coursework in French. My first voyage to this country kitchen (where you can sit alone, or mingle with strangers at one of the larger tables) was a job interview, but later I managed a pleasure trip: Scott and I split the French rolls and a croissant which came with butter and what we yanks would call some right peculiar fixins. A praline spread the color and consistency of peanut butter, but tasting like straight hazelnut? Red current as the fourth fruit in the jam? Apricot so and so? [Le sigh] Go. Just go. And bring me back some of that praline thingy. Mm.