La Quinta Baking Company
Charming Parisian Bistro & Patisserie

Amanda and Marisol provide excellent service on the inviting patio.

The fragrance and ambiance of this charming restaurant and bakery at Washington and Highway 111 in the Vons Shopping Center reminds you of French bistros that may be found on any Parisian corner.

Choose a seat from gaily-covered tables under umbrellas on a brick-paved patio set with a splashing fountain. Or slide into a café chair at butcher paper-covered tables and gaze through arched French windows at the village center and rugged Point Happy mountains beyond, while enjoying a simple, freshly prepared meal or sipping your latte, cappuccino, or tea.

Chef Louis is the master behind the full menu that includes such traditional French fare as crêpes, quiche, Chicken Cordon Bleu, French onion soup, Steak Marchand de Vin, Sole Meunière, Coq au Vin, and grilled sandwiches. Napoleons, Tropezienne, chocolate éclairs, and bread puddings that border on the decadent are tempting desserts anytime.

Under the hand of French Pastry Chef C. William Austruit, pastries and breads are baked fresh every day the European way. As in Paris, the French baguettes, boule, and demi-rolls contain no preservatives. The long pastry case is laden with delectable patisseries from luscious fresh fruit tarts, raspberry and blackberry filled pastries, French apple tart to popovers, croissants, and creamy Danish pastries.

La Quinta Baking Company transforms from a bustling café by day to a romantic bistro at night. With twinkling candles at each table, wall sconces emanating a soft glow, delicious dinner fragrances now wafts in the air.

Open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., dinner starts at 5 p.m., but enjoy uninterrupted service all day with tantalizing but moderately priced offerings. Dinner reservations are recommended during season.

SHOWN ABOVE: A few of the exquisite creations featured at this quaint French bistro, clockwise from the bottom — French Ham and Cheese Panini, a hot sandwich with French ham, Swiss cheese, and tomatoes on a soft French baguette, grilled to perfection; Sole Meunière, prepared in a Mediterranean caper sauce and served with gratin Dauphinois; an eight-person Princess Fruit Tart, also available in a six- or 10-person size.

“A bustling café by day, a romantic bistro by night — a touch of Paris in La Quinta.”

MENU HIGHLIGHTS

BREAKFAST
Belgian Waffles
Omelettes
Spinach Frittata

LUNCH
Chicken and Mushroom Crêpe
Quiche Lorraine
Chicken Panini
Club Sandwiches

DINNER
French Onion Soup
Rack of Lamb
Sole Meunière
Lobster Ravioli

BEST OF THE DESSERTS

Napoleon
Chocolate Éclair
New York Cheesecake
Bread Pudding
Jack Daniels Bread Pudding
Tropezienne (Robert’s Favorite)
Pecan Tart Princess
Fruit Tart
Berry Tart
Tiramisú
Opera Cake
Crème Brûlée
Paris Breast
Torta del Nona
Torte Pom
The Bomb
Pear William
Key Lime
Lemon Meringue
Hazelnut Mousse
Canoli
Pyramid
Salambo

LA QUINTA BAKING COMPANY
78-395 HIGHWAY 111
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA 92253
(760) 777-1699

More Information - Websites, Maps and Directions

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