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| - The top memory is having a nice breakfast, reading the paper I brought from the hotel, having a well made latte, and listening to the pastry chef visiting with a friend in French. It transports me out of Las Vegas and to a favorite cafe in St-Germain, Paris.
The pain au chocolat has perfect chocolate throughout it, and the pastry just melts in the mouth after the crispy bite. Just saying chocolate croissant seems to be too prosaic. It's the best palmier ever, and finally, the canelé -- perfection.
A canelé is supposed to be so heavily caramelized so as to be skirting with going black. It will taste like caramel and molasses on the outside. The inside will be airy and cake like. It is heaven in two small bites. That is if you get a proper one. I've almost never had one like that in the US. I was so looking forward to another one on our second trip, and they didn't have any. As our dear leader says -- Sad.
The second day we went with cooked food, along with pastries. My wife says it's the best omelette she's ever had. It was more in the French style.
Finally, the coffee. The coffee was excellent both days. It wasn't bitter, or sour. The drinks were properly made. However, on our first visit the barista had more skill, and it wasn't just that the latte art was better (it was), the coffee was better. That's the problem with real espresso drinks (no whipped cream or flavorings wanted) is that the flavor is in the quality of the barista. So, good both times, but the only inconsistency we found.
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