French Filling

Some people make it a point to get to Paris every year. In the absence of that possibility, I make it a point to get to Nicole's in South Pasadena whenever I want a taste of France.

Now, before anyone outs me I'll admit I practically starved in Paris. I didn't know how to order what I wanted. It's scandalous to say so, but I'm not crazy about a lot of French foods. (I once told this to a foodie friend and it made her cry.)

But I can handle French bread--lots of it. I love macarons--in fact, just about any French pastry will be fine, merci beaucoup. And you won't hear me complain about French chocolate.

Nicole's has all these things, plus sandwiches, coffee and a little French grocery, too. Though it's a bit too far from the Louvre to be perfect, I've never left there hungry.