PAINLESS PAIN

 

A couple of years ago I fell in love with a Belgian. We met in Rome. Or rather I came across Le Pain Quotidien in a small street not far from the Spanish Steps.

Instantly I loved its bakery ambience, its communal table, the shelves of jams and spreads. We lunched there and I even forgave them when I found it was not a French emigrant to Rome, but a Belgian-born franchise. 

Belgian chef Alain Coumont began Le Pain Quotidien (the daily bread) in the 1980s when he was unable to find a baker who could produce bread to his exacting standards for his Brussels restaurant.

While I recently learned the Rome outlet has closed, I am not devastated. There are now TWO Le PQs much closer to home. The other night I attended the opening of Sydney’s second one (the first opened in Leichhardt last year) and it is everything and more than I remembered from its Roman counterpart.

Of course there are similar racks of just-baked La Tartine organic sourdough breads, a tall sideboard of condiments, jams and an addictive Belgian praline spread, and a patisserie showcase so tempting I averted my eyes. Here too are broad and long timber communal tables, ideal for relaxing with a coffee or a glass of wine, light meals and snacks.

I have to admit, I’ve fallen for Le Pain Quotidien all over again.

But more is ahead – further outlets are in the system (there are 99 worldwide already), and a brave ‘all-organic by the end of 2008’ resolution has been made.

 

Le Pain Quotidien, Surry Hills, corner Fitzroy & Bourke Sts, Surry Hills, NSW, 02 9360 8460.
also
Le Pain Quotidien, Leichhardt, 54 Norton St, Leichhardt, NSW, 02 9564 0099 
www.lepainquotidien.com