Rose Bakery

My favorite cookbook this season is “Breakfast Lunch Tea” by Rose Carrarini of Rose Bakery in Paris. A good friend took me to Rose Bakery this summer telling me in advance that it was really healthy, and that I would love it. I was immediately suspicious. The name didn’t sound French and the health angle was alarming. Still, my job is to be open minded about new things so I agreed to go, but I was already missing my steak frites.

Rose Bakery is tucked away on a small street in the 9th arrondissement. It’s a humble unassuming little restaurant and I loved it at once. There was a wonderful take out station in front with simple salads, tarts, pizzettes, and an array of desserts. They also sell many of the organic ingredients they use. There’s communal seating in the back where you’ll find an eclectic and exceptionally chic array of people.

When we ordered they brought us bread along with a slab of butter sprinkled with fleur de sel. And not just any bread. This was the staff of life made famous by Jean Luc Poujauran who no longer owns the bakery that bears his name though he does bake bread for a select group of customers. One bite and I knew I was eating the best bread in Paris. The menu was small and I surprised myself by ordering, for the first time ever in Paris, a quiche. As an American familiar with the quiche craze of the 70s, I am quiche averse. But this tart, filled with bacon and cheese and served with a simple bibb salad, was absolutely sensational. The crust was not soggy, the quiche was light as air, and the bacon was crisp. I fell in love with Rose’s that minute.

I was told Rose had another cafe in London at The Dover Market. I was going to be in London later that summer so I made a point of checking it out. The café is on the top floor of the building with the coolest views and a small deck. I ordered a vegetable tart (quiche to you), and to my astonishment it was just as good as the one in Paris. The menu is even smaller here but they have enough great choices to satisfy anyone.


When the cookbook came out I was pleased to find that the recipe for the vegetable tart is in it! I can’t wait to try making some of the other delicious recipes including the toffee pudding which I am going to have for Christmas dinner.

It’s comforting to know that when in Paris or London I have a Rose Bakery to go to.

Rose Bakery
Paris: 46, rue des martyrs
75009 Paris
01.42.82.12.80

London: Comme des Garcons Dover Street Market
17-18 Dover Street
London W1S 4LT
020.74.91.84.60