You can taste Paris at the Plaza

Greer Wylder

How about ducking into a Parisian cafe, sitting outdoors, sipping a

glass of wine and eating some fresh baguette, buttery French

pastries, classic French onion soup or quiche Lorraine? And then

getting back to some of the best shopping at South Coast Plaza?

You can find this taste of France at the new Champagne French

Bakery Cafe near the base of the plaza’s Bridge of Gardens. The

Garden Terrace location just opened to provide the original and

larger side of South Coast Plaza with its own cafe. Another location

is already at the Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing.

This prominent location provides wonderful patio seating -- under

the sun or shaded by an overhang. Since it debuted in early May, it’s

become a popular breakfast, lunch and dinner spot. Breakfast

favorites include an excellent quiche Lorraine, served with seasoned

potatoes ($7.25), and hearty organic oatmeal with fresh fruit

($4.50). For lunch or dinner, try a Parisian combo or preferably the

trio: cup of soup, half cold sandwich and salad ($7.25); or

substitute the sandwich for a half quiche ($7.25). It makes a perfect

meal. The salad Nicoise comes with plenty of albacore tuna, fresh

sliced tomatoes and Nicoise olives ($7.95). And the hot

croque-monsieur, one of finest sandwiches ever invented, is perfectly

grilled with ham, Swiss and bechamel on a pain de mie or sandwich

bread ($7.50).

The cafe offers some great additional menu items, including the

grilled panini with roast beef, cheddar and garlic mayonnaise served

on organic bread ($7.50); a satisfying chicken salad croissant

sandwich ($6.95); and a black forest ham, Swiss cheese and

caramelized pear croissant sandwich ($6.95). Sandwiches come with a

spring or Caesar salad. For breakfast, Champagne’s added a thick

fluffy Belgian waffle with mixed fruit or fresh strawberries ($5.75

to $6.75). Also, Champagne now serves Tully’s Coffee.

Champagne French Bakery Cafe, the little engine that could of

French cafes, was once a small cafe in Encinitas that opened in 1987;

now it boasts nearly 20 locations throughout Southern California. Its

popularity is simple: It offers classic French cafe dishes and serves

them up in minutes. Founder and pastry chef, Jacques Pautrat brings

his expertise and love for pastries by baking mouth-watering

croissants, Danish, sugared brioche, scones and individual tartes.

A catering menu also offers an assortment of wonderful breakfast,

lunch, salad platters and dessert trays for groups of eight or more.

If you’re a sweet tooth watching your waistline, you can also stop

in for a bag of Miss Meringue’s fat-free or low-fat meringue cookies.

The classic French sweets, a light and crisp puff of sugar and egg

whites, are available in an assortment of flavors including mint

chip, chocolate, vanilla and cappuccino ($3.95 to $4.95).

* BEST BITES runs every Friday. Greer Wylder can be reached at

greerwylder@yahoo.com; at 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626;

or by fax at (714) 966-4679.