09/05/12\n\nWas hoping to make it in for breakfast, but was too late. The only breakfast items left were almondine shells and a couple of strawberry fruit tarts. I opted to try a cappuccino and an almond shell, while I waited for my Chef panino ($7.80 for a full order, with side salad) to arrive. I believe the shells went for 50 or 75 cents each. It was a very nice way to begin (or end!) a meal. The panino was very delightful! Loved the crunchy exterior of the pressed ciabatta, and the combination of thick-cut ham, brie, caramelized onions, and pesto made my mouth (and brain!) very happy! Eating half of the leftovers a few hours later proved to be almost as good, even without reheating the sandwich in the toaster oven, and I polished the rest of the panino for breakfast the next day. I recall that the salad dressing (on the side) was nothing to write home about, but I appreciated the added greens to round out the meal.\n\nI docked a star for the cafe's mediocre decor. I didn't feel like I was in a French cafe. I can't even recall if the music playing was French. Additionally, the only other people there, besides the server (also owner?) and cook, was a table of elderly women playing an actual game of mahjong- a Chinese tile game (with many variations possible) played on a table with three or four people, not the computer memory game. (I wonder- in France, do French people play mahjong in American restaurants?) Was tickled to see that my receipt tray had the Mona Lisa on it- cute! Another star docked for having weak coffee. Yes, great coffee service deserves a full star in my book... The cappuccino was the worst I'd ever shelled $4 for, and no wonder-- the drip coffee I replaced the caloric cup with tasted almost like water. I've wanted to come back a few times since, to try breakfast here, but if I can't look forward to a great cup of cafe avec un bon petit dejeuner, then why even bother? Perhaps it was an off-day for coffee? I will visit again very soon and see if breakfast is just as fun!
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