Rating :  10 out of 10

August, 2009

Tariff : Lunch for 1

• 1 sandwich
• 1 pastry
• 1 latte
• tip
• $13

This is a new restaurant and it's located in the new Hamilton Marketplace along the frontage road, next to 101, just North of the main entrance to Hamilton.  It is not alone in that location, but it deserves its place among the 6 or so restaurants there. Despite my reviews/top ten list of Novato coffee shops, we have never had a coffee spot/lunch location with great baked goods.  We had some good savories from Ignacio's La Coppa, great bagels from Redwood, a few decadent sweet treats from Dr. Insomnia's, and Peet's, but nothing to compare to a real French Bakery, and certainly not one with a spacious, light filled dining area that feels like Provence. There are rough hewn wood tables and chairs, big windows, some seating outside.  There is a table with glasses and self service ice water. The table for utensils is stocked with the basics plus lemon slices, cornicion pickles, Nutella, jams, and butter. This small chain has shops all over San Francisco as well as in Mill Valley and I, for one, think we are very fortunate that they have arrived in Novato!

One end of the pastry counter	almond croissant, mozzarella & tomato sandwich, pecan sticky bun, black coffee

The Pastry Counter

My favorite area of the store, this large glass counter houses everything from sticky buns to colorful, little macaroon cookies, strudels to bread pudding, and croissants to fruit tarts.  It's hard to choose, but choose you must and then move along a bit farther to order your drink or your lunch.  The staff are very pleasant (and patient!). Pay at the counter and take a number so your order can be delivered to your table. There's a retro tin tip can on the counter. You can also get your order to go, buy bread,  or have La Boulange cater an event for you.

Food

This day I had a light lunch of Croque Monsieur, a hearty toasted ham sandwich, the top of which is crusted with melted cheese (it looks like an open-faced sandwich). The Swiss cheese had good flavor and the inside of the sandwich was creamy. Then I had a raisin swirl pastry, which was sprinkled with chunky sugar and lightly flavored with cinnamon. The latte I ordered was made with good coffee, served, as all drinks at La Boulange are, in a real cup and saucer, and topped with a lovely froth of milk foam. The large size drink is served in a crockery bowl rather than a cup--how European!

On another occasion I tried the warm cauliflower tart, a slice from a scallop-edged rectangular tart, filled with lightly cheesy chunks of tender cauliflower topped with a sprinkling of chives. I had iced tea (see below) and for dessert I tried the stone fruit tart, which was a round moist almost scone-like pastry with studded pieces of fruit (peach, plum), lighter than other pastry choices but still delicious! (This lunch cost $10.)

Cauliflower Tart	Stone Fruit Tart

The menu includes breakfast, brunch, soups, salads, sandwiches, and of course all the pastries and beverages. On other occasions I have tasted a number of their sandwiches: the open-faced Smoked Salmon Sandwich is served on slices of rustic wheat bread with a chewy crust. The salmon is topped with cucumbers, and creme fraiche and then sprinkled with capers, red onions, and chives.  There are 3 good sized pieces and a side salad for $8.50. The Boulange Club was on white bread (pan de mie) and included avocado, making it even richer and creamier. The Provencal BLT included thick cut bacon, goat cheese, and aioli on ciiabatta bread--delicious.  Another open-faced offering was The Goat Cheese Sandwich, which contained Portobello mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and pesto on grainy bread--it seemed both rich and healthy. (Lunch for two with one cafe au lait was $20.) I've had hot tea or fresh iced tea--they brew a light berry flavored tea daily (or the counter staff will gladly give you a glass full of ice to pour your choice of hot brewed tea over).

For good coffee and some really high quality French pastries, try La Boulange the next time you want to take a coffee break. 

La Boulange Cafe & Bakery
5800 Nave Drive
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 328-8594