French Corner Café and Bakery
Cheerful Bistro Blossoms Under New Ownership

The creators of delicious French fare are Owner Marc Davy, Pastry Chef Aimeric Davy, Chefs Alejandro Esqueda and Mireya Garcia with several ribbons won at the Desert Dessert Derby.

French Corner Café and Bakery near Target in Palm Desert’s Desert Crossing Center at Highway 111 and Fred Waring Drive has a fresh new look. One of the Valley’s unique, authentic French pastry café, French Corner Café won the Soroptimist’s Desert Dessert Derby Contest 2008 and offers a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. New owners, brothers Marc and Aimeric Davy, originally from France and Switzerland, have taken this charming café to new heights since last year.

Refreshed décor includes cheerful ocre walls on which picturesque French countryside paintings are exhibited for sale. Comfortable new woven rattan bistro and pub-height chairs, and freshly upholstered banquettes are accented by red droplights.

New curved-glass pastry cases are filled with Aimeric’s mouthwatering croissants, Brioche bread, berries tarts, crème brûlée, éclairs, lemon meringue, Napoleons, and delectable chocolate, fruit, or custard mousse cakes, as well as St. Honoré, Tiramisú, and Black Forest cake. Don’t forget the original French macaroons in their rainbow colors, the exquisite little petit four collection for your private parties. Enjoy a pastry with espresso, latte, or cappuccino any time in the bakery area at the counter or pub-height table.

Find moderately priced but authentic French bistro cuisine such as Parisians dine on every day. Luscious crêpes, omelettes and quiches, French-style salads such as Montrachet, Niçoise, and Duck Salad, plus a variety of croissant sandwiches, Croque Monsieur, BLTs, and even burgers are available all day.

Start dinner with a French onion gratinée soup or buttery escargots smothered in bleu cheese. Delectable steamed mussels in white wine, scallops, sautéed fillet of sole, grilled shrimps, roasted chicken, rack of lamb, and steaks with creamy pepper sauce are some of the dinner offerings. Take-out fresh-made soup and bread are also available.

Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., breakfast is from 8 to 11 a.m.; lunch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Private parties are welcomed. French Corner Café and Bakery also provides desserts for parties, birthdays, weddings, and all special occasions.

SHOWN ABOVE: A selection from the French Corner Café’s menu featuring authentic and innovative French cuisine, clockwise from the bottom — Carré d’Agneu, rack of lamb demi glacé, served with ratatouille and potato; Assorted Pastries from their bakery display case; Salade Niçoise, red leaf lettuce, albacore white tuna, egg, olives, green beans, anchovies, potato, and tomato, served with a house vinaigrette; Gratin de Coquille St. Jacques, scallops with their shell, béchamel mushroom sauce, served with rice saffron and vegetables. The suggested wine is Château Beaulieu, France, Grand Vin de Bordeaux, 2002.

“Authentic French cuisine and pastries made to order in a charming café setting with very affordable prices.”

MENU HIGHLIGHTS

BREAKFAST
Croissants and Brioche
Organic Granola
French Corner Crêpes
Florentine Crêpe
Eggs Neptune
Eggs Benedict
Breakfast Croissant Sandwich

LUNCH
Daily Soups
Tahiti Salad
Salad Niçoise
Chicken Citrus Salad
BLT
Croissant Sandwich
Croque Monsieur
Crêpe Maison
Ratatouille Crêpe
Quiche Steak Frites

DINNER
French Onion Soup Gratinée
French Corner Cheese and Pâté Platter
Gratin de Coquille St. Jacques (Scallops)
Moules Marinière Pommes Frites (Steamed Mussels with French Fries)
Carré d’Agneau (Rack of Lamb)
Fillet of Sole
Filet Mignon

BEST OF THE CELLAR

RED WINES
Canyon Road, California, Merlot
L’Orval, France, Merlot
Château Beaulieu, France, Bordeaux

WHITE WINES
Campanola, Italy, Pinot Grigio
Canyon Road, California, Chardonnay
L’Orval, France, Chardonnay

BEERS
Fischer, Alsace, France, Amber Ales
Heineken
Miller Lite

FRENCH CORNER CAFÉ AND BAKERY
72-423 HIGHWAY 111 ( IN THE TARGET PLAZA)
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260
(760) 568-5362

More Information - Websites, Maps and Directions

BY PAMELA BIERI
PHOTOGRAPHY: ARTHUR COLEMAN/ASSISTANT: TIM CARTER
FOOD STYLIST: ROLAND BIERI