A baguette for me

One of these weekdays I went to Le Pain Quotidien (pronounced as luh pan koh ti diyan) at Colaba for lunch with my colleague. It's a Belgian bakery-cum-restaurant, serving authentic French cuisine (which you wont find at many places in the country), located very close to the Gateway of India. When you enter the place, an enticing mild whiff of freshly baked bread and pastries greets you, slightly tantalising your taste buds. The balmy wooden environs, and the thriving yet languid pace of the place almost instantly put you at ease. I ordered for the soup of the day, which was a concoction of carrots and coriander. It was at my table in a short while with some crisp baguette and butter. One of the best soups I have had outside my home, it was thick, rich, creamy and very tasteful, and filling too. I was pleasantly satiated with my soup and didn't feel the need to order anything else. For those of you who may be wanting to go for a full-fledged meal, let me tell you that the menu is extensive, with a lot of options to choose from for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a huge counter displaying a variety of breads and desserts, along with some scrumptious marmalades. And not to forget, there is a selection of wines too at the restaurant.            

Great selection of wines to choose from

Charming view from the first floor

The other good thing about LPQ is that it's spatially engaging and is aesthetically laid-out in two floors, with a charming alfresco section on the first floor. They have something called as a communal table, a long table with many chairs, where you can sit and enjoy your meal with your neighbour, who may be a complete stranger. While you have your brunette, you can indulge in a random conversation and get to know somebody new in this strange big city. All in all, if you are looking for a beautiful eating out experience to linger with you for long, LPQ is where you should go, atleast once.