The French Baker has an almost hidden bistro named "Benny's". In the front of the house, you can watch the real croissants being made with chilled butter. No just-proofed and baked-off pastries here. The coffee is superb...Illy in a bowl with warm milk is perfect -- and the breakfasts options, not counting the long list of classic pastries (brioche, pain aux raisins, chausson aux pommes), range from great (under-stated) mushroom and cheese omelette to what I mowed down...a fluffy goats milk cheese frittata with a dollop of chipotle creme fraiche with thick slices of multi-grain toast. The jam was a gingery rhubarb....the best springtime tonic out there. (Note to self: This kind of pace cannot continue. But there is a celebration of my book later tonight..#$#&&%$%!!!!)
