Brunch with Ray at St. Tropez

St. Tropez Bakery and Bistro

Today I traveled to St. Tropez. The red, blue and yellow tables jumped into my sight as I began to pass the French bistro and bakery in downtown San Diego. A friend and I were walking swiftly, anxiously surveying the restaurants and cafes. With empty stomachs, we paid a visit to the counter, the cool air that we found indoors refreshing us from the oddly intense heat of the November sun. The array of crepes, both savory and sweet, and the splendid offering of pastries presented us with delightful possibility.

After taking our seats outside, enjoying the aesthetics of the tall buildings mixed with shadows and pockets of sun, a maitre d kindly directed us to the counter of pastries where guests must first place their orders. The men working the registers offered welcoming smiles and encouragement when my friend decided that the $5 bottomless grapefruit mimosas might be excellent additions to our omelets. While our orders went straight to the cooks, the other staff filled our flutes with a tad of grapefruit juice and a good amount more of sparkling wine. Eager to stir the beautiful layers of sweet drink, Ray and I dashed towards the door and slid into our comfortable chairs.

We had only begun to empty our flutes, when our steaming omelets arrived from the kitchen. The maitre d lowered a self-created omelet of feta, tomatoes, onion and avocado, and then I received mine filled with spinach cream. Crunchy potatoes that melted in my mouth, sweet finely chopped fruit that guaranteed a break from heartiness, and sliced baguette with jelly all arrived with my plate, as well. My first bite of the omelet was warm, and the silky cream, accented with nutmeg and aromatics of the spinach cooked in it, fell across my palette. I closed my eyes and smiled. I had found a new place that I would recommend to anyone desiring a quiet, friendly place of brunch. Next time, I will try the crepes!