Le Pain Quotidien, Leichhardt

LOCATION
On Leichhardt’s Norton Street, close to the Italian Forum, 15 minutes’ drive from the city.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Nourish the belly and the soul at Le Pain Quotidien, a haven of fresh-baked bread and organic products in the buzzing hub of Leichhardt. This inviting space is decked out in timber, with a charming little courtyard sitting above the foot-traffic of Norton Street and the cafe’s signature communal table dominating the interior. Simple, wholesome dishes fill the menu, with a tempting range of food products also available for purchase. The Le Pain Quotidien story began in Brussels in 1990, when chef Alain Coumont was so dissatisfied with the products available that he began baking his own bread. This led to the opening of the first Le Pain store, which expanded into another 16 across Europe in the next three years, and now encompasses more than 80 stores in 40 cities across the globe.

Naturally leavened, handmade bread is the focus of the Le Pain Quotidien menu, with an emphasis on organic ingredients and stoneground flour to create a crunchy crust and bold flavours. Choose from the daily baked selection of spelt, walnut, five grain, sourdough or hazelnut to pack away in the shopping bag. Or opt to dine in and start the day with a delicious pastry, organic yoghurt and fruit, or granola parfait. Sweet-tooths will adore the pairing of an almond croissant or Danish with an organic tea or coffee. The lunch menu offers a nourishing collation of dishes, from a warming soup of the day to a refreshing goat’s cheese and rocket salad. Couplets and groups will enjoy a nibble on the Mediterranean or Tuscan platters, or perhaps a board of cheese and organic bread will do the trick. And, of course, no bakery line-up is complete without the treats: lemon tart, fruit tart, croissant, chocolate mousse dome, madeleine or Belgian brownie?

Lauren Barker, May 2009