The foamiest latte in the world

The other day, I encountered the foamiest latte in the world. Its source was Le Pain Quotidien on the UWS, where I was having coffee and a light bite with SB.

I got a pot of green tea. Extra points to LPQ for steaming the side of milk for the tea-- well done.

Tea service

SB got a fruit salad. LPQ's fruit salads are always reliably fresh and varied, so there's that.

Fruit!

And then... the latte. It was a soy latte, in fact. And take a look at the picture-- it's so freakin' foamy it looks like rice pudding. Or oatmeal. I mean, is that not ridiculous??

How do they DO that?

That is all.

Le Pain Quotidien
60 W. 65th Street, at Columbus
212-721-4001

Birthday lunch at LPQ

Dear readers, last week was my birthday. I turned 25, and it was rather uneventful. However, my delightful and thoughtful brother took me out to lunch to celebrate my day. We headed to Le Pain Quotidien, right around the corner from his office.

You may recall that Tuesday, July 6, was 103 degrees in this sultry, sweltering city. We were nearly melting once we got inside, and the restaurant was packed with sweating bodies, making things just a touch warmer than they otherwise would have been. No matter, we pressed on, flagging down a harried waitress and placing our order.

For me, a cup of berries. LPQ does this well, with mostly fresh specimens, although this cup was kind of only about 2/3 full. The cup is small to begin with, guys-- better fill 'er up to the top.

Fresh and pretty

The bro went with the chicken cobb salad. This was a bit more robust, packed with shards of bacon, cubes of forme d'ambert cheese, and topped with a fanned-out quarter of an avocado. He enjoyed it.

Manly salad

We both had to eat and run to get back to our respective offices, but it was certainly nice to get out and get some quality sibling time. Thanks D!

Le Pain Quotidien
1271 6th Avenue, at 51st Street
646-462-4165

A quick stop at LPQ

Last weekend, SW and I got together for a catch-up bite. We were aiming for Cafe Zaiya near Bryant Park, but the seating situation wasn't quite what we were hoping for, so we ended up around the corner at Le Pain Quotidien.

Nothing much new here-- it's still the charming rustic chain restaurant that's disproportionately good for what it has to be. SW ordered a ricotta, fig, and honey tartine. It looked pretty darn delicious, except for the incongruous bits of chopped tomato in the mix. Tomato? Really? In this already classically delicious sweet-and-savory combination? I'd consider ordering this tartine, but I think sans tomato is definitely the way to go.

White canvas, with honey. And tomato.

She also got a mint lemonade. Thumbs up, and extra thumbs up for reminding us of a mojito.

So tropical!

I got a sparkling water. It wasn't worth photographing.

And that's that. Till next time, LPQ, till next time.

Le Pain Quotidien
70 W. 40th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues
212-354-5224

LPQ is coming to the UES!

Spotted on the Upper East Side this weekend: The formerly empty storefront at the corner of Lex and 88th, which in a previous life was a bizarre boutique-y women's clothing store:

That's plywood there...

The reveal

Le Pain Quotidien is coming! Hello, Sunday brunch, tempting pastries, and crusty breads. Now the questions is, when? "Soon," yes, but when?!

A quick bite at le Pain Quotidien

Early afternoon on Monday found me at Le Pain Quotidien in Bryant Park, grabbing a bite with my mentor at work. As usual, the place was bustling-- loud and a bit warm and humid inside. Also as usual, the treats all looked tempting, but we managed to make some choices. A tartine with black bean hummus, avocado, and spicy tahini spread for her; a cup of berries for me. Both were fresh, tasty, and delicious.

Open faced sandwich with delightful garnishes

Berries were admirably fresh and tasty

Le Pain Quotidien
70 W. 40th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues
212-354-5224