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Le Pain Quotidien
Everyone needs a favorite place to run away to on occasion. A place where you can shut out the noise and breathe; if only for a moment.
Le Pain Quotidien offers the perfect atmosphere to wind down and indulge in a bit of rustic fare that is basic and good.
With locations in major cities in the US and abroad, connecting in a space that is familiar is as easy as finding the location nearest you.
This is especially good for travelers who very often do not have the time nor desire to experiment with something unfamiliar.
I have had the pleasure of visiting several in and around the Washington DC area and have found the food to be pretty consistent, although depending on where you are the space and atmosphere itself can vary.
I spent a wonderful afternoon recently with a colleague at a location in Washington DC’s Georgetown. The weather was beautiful, so rather than choosing a table indoors I opted for seating in the courtyard and garden area. Having arrived about 30 minutes prior to my actual meeting, it provided me with just enough of a breather to bask in the moment of solitude in the garden which was alive with fresh spring blooms and lots of feathered friends.
Le Pain Quotidien is built around a concept of communal tables which are especially nice if you are in the mood to dine in a family atmosphere. If you are shy about being seated next to strangers, however, there are also private tables available.
Le Pain Quotidien states: “This philosophy influences every part of the way we do business, from the food we serve to the design of our stores to the materials we use. We use reclaimed wood and recycled Gypsum in construction, energy-efficient lamps, and environmentally friendly cleaning supplies and packaging. It's good for our bodies, our communities, and our earth. Friends and strangers alike come together around our communal table to break bread and linger for a while. Like all of our furniture, the communal table is made from reclaimed wood, which means no trees were sacrificed for us to sit and unwind.”
I began my meal with a Café au Lait rather than my usual afternoon tea, as a way of re-living a bit of my past experiences during my many junkets to France over the years. I was entertained by feathered friends who darted around the courtyard in search of stray crumbs that might have fallen from the plates of diners as they filtered in and out.
Once my guest arrived, I ordered a lovely salad of fresh steamed shrimp on a bed of lovely salad greens, accented with grape tomatoes, avocado and fresh scallions. The finishing of a lite vinaigrette was just the right touch, without overpowering the flavor of the salad. Slices of fresh rustic breads from the bakery were served; complimentary as a part of the meal.
My colleague ordered a small bowl of lentil soup whose smell awakened the senses, adding to an appetizing dining experience. As an entrée, she delighted in a version of the shrimp salad in the form of an open sandwich (canapé). The presentation of both meals was exquisite.
The service was just right as they allowed us to savor the moment while paying just enough attention to make sure we were adequately taken care of.
Prices are moderate and serving sizes are ample. For a quick get-away; just because, treat yourself to a slice of simple heaven. Le Pain Quotidien! An absolute good-breather!
Visit their website at http://www.lepainquotidien.com/.