A Short Drive to Paris

We are always astounded at the variety of experiences we can get here in Pittsburgh.  Amidst the remnants of steel manufacturing, and under the cheers of sports fans, there exists a bustling food culture, ranging from high-end sit-down establishments to food truck that may best be described as “quirky” (hmmmm..perhaps a future post?).  And wouldn’t you know it, right down the street from us we found the tastes of Paris at La Gourmandine French Bakery.  We were lucky enough to get to sit down with Lisanne, proprietor of this small local chain.

Walking down the sidewalk on a drizzly Saturday morning, we were greeted by the smells of fresh-baked goodies and imagining accordian music playing  - like you might find in a stereotypical Hollywood film.  All we needed was the warm greeting of the shop owner, and Lisanne’s gracious welcome was perfect.  We were entranced immediately.

French natives, Lisanne and her husband Fabien dabbled with the idea of opening a restaurant, at first, but quickly dismissed it as too risky.  But, a French bakery?  There were no patisseries to be found, and they decided to fill a niche Pittsburgh never knew it had.  A little extra schooling at Lenôtre Culinary Institute in Paris, and they were on their way to opening their first location in the Lawrenceville area of the city in 2010.  Through the ups and downs of a new business, they were successful enough to be able to open a second location in just four years.  It’s been going strong ever since, adding two more locations since then – the third of which we get to enjoy. 

Other than their origin story, though, what makes this place so special?  Simply put, this isn’t a knock-off type of place – everything is done the traditional way, from recipes written in French to ingredients measured in metric.  Nothing is bought pre-made or frozen.  Jellies and jams?  Done in-house.  Lemon curd?  The same thing.  At La Gourmandine, you don’t get just an idea of the French tradition – you get the real bon apetit experience.  Oh – and only real butter is allowed, too.  There is no taking the easy way out, including starting the bread-baking at 2:30AM! 

                          

To watch the activity in this kitchen, though, is like watching the ballet of the famed Opera Populaire, with designated areas for each activity.  The bread-bakers are done and cleaned up before the pastry-makers arrive to begin their part of the dance, and still later, the chorus of customers interacting with the front of the house personnel, a carnivale of colors and flavors being passed to eager waiting hands.         

And yet, the challenges remain many.  Blending the traditional with the contemporary, the advent of online ordering and delivery has been a boon during the pandemic, but added software causes headaches.  Equipment breaks, supplies get delayed – the standard problems most businesses suffer – are all challenges La Gourmandine faces. 

What does the future bring?  Will there be a fifth location?  We get the feeling they’ve thought very long and hard about these questions, and according to Lisanne, there are no plans to expand at the moment.  They are content to create quality treats that delight the palettes of many a patron (we can give personal testimony to this fact!)  We’re lucky to have them so close!

But you know us, readers: we can’t just tell you about this wonderful little gem of a store without trying at least a couple of things!  That wouldn’t be right, and it would be far less tasty for us 😊.  We came home with a couple of boxes of goodies, and we know we’ll be back to sample more!  We were very excited to try five different flavors of macarons, a tarte citron, and of course, a couple of flaky, buttery croissants!  WHAT?  One does not simply go to a French bakery and NOT get a croissant (or three)!  That would be rude! 

First up: the macarons!  They were currently making five flavors: Lemon poppyseed, Pistachio, Raspberry, Salted Caramel, and Blackberry Anise.  These are bold flavors, to be sure, and there is an art to highlighting the bold and balancing it.  Even more of an art is controlling those flavors, and that is a mystery the folks at La Gourmandine understand well.  The lemon is VERY lemon, and just when you think you can’t handle it, the poppyseed mutes it and carries out a delightfully light finish.  Likewise with the blackberry and anise – an interplay that feels like it’s not quite going to work until, magically, it resolves into a beautiful celebration of flavor.  The others, too, are each a celebration on the tongue, examples of patience and control, expertise and precision.

If the macarons are an experiment in control, the tarte citron is an expression of joy.  It’s tart, sweet, rich and creamy, like what one might picture a midsummer morning if it could be tasted.  From the crumbly crust to the lightly toasted cream on top, it’s a taste sensation that isn’t “eaten,” it’s “experienced.” 

We must confess here: this isn’t the first time we’ve been to La Gourmandine – we’ve been on many occasions, and each time, we get something different.  We are always rewarded.  Getting to sit down with Lisanne – well, that was just the proverbial “icing on the cake!”    But before you go thinking this is just about desserts, don't forget the bread and other delicacies available - they have a small lunch menu as well!!

   

Whether you live in Pittsburgh, or you’re just visiting, do yourself a favor, check out La Gourmandine,and send your tastebuds on a wonderful journey!  They have four locations around the city: Lawrenceville, Hazelwood, downtown, and in Mt. Lebanon.  But just in case you need more, check them out at lagourmandinebakery.com

That's all from us today, Neighbors!  We've got to go for a run or a bike ride or something to work off those delicious calories!!

Thanks for sharing another view from the Porch!

Your Friendly Neighbors,

Krystal and Bill