The Boulangerie Restaurant Review
See the sign? Come on in!
You don’t have to go too far if you want to get a taste of France. Just go down 4th street in the southwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta and you will see how true that is. A quaint little café nestles sweetly in this vibrant neighborhood where meeting up with old friends and fine dining are a way of life. The best part is, it does not have to break your bank. So lets take a look the cutest little French café in the city.
Atmosphere
This is a cheery place with chic accents and old-world charm. It may not be fancy but it has a comfortable feel that puts any patron at ease. The bright but subtle yellow walls bring both light and joy into the space while the wicker chairs and marble-like tables bring a touch of class. The menu boards that are on display hanging above eye-level have clear and concise lettering of all food options. Not only is it easy to read but with the brief descriptions listed, it helps you make a decision of what you want faster. Also, the colour choices on the board remind a person of what cafes in Europe must look like.
They also have a delightful petite patio where a person can enjoy a beautiful day of people watching while treating themselves. Bright red umbrellas and the same table sets that are inside are also outside shows that this place has an unpretentious feel as well as a stylish one.
It’s like Sunshine!
Service
The workers at this café are good people. Not only is this an inclusive place where everyone is welcome but they are genuine in their desire for you to enjoy your visit. This place is the kind of place where you get what you ordered quickly and with quality. On top of that you get it delivered at your table if you choose to stay which can be rare for some coffee houses. Some times you have to wait to pick up your order and choose a table afterwards. They ask you how the food is and if you are enjoying yourself. Afterwords they give you your space and let you stay as long as you want.
Let’s Lunch!
Food
Whether your tastebuds are more on the sugared or saline side you will not be disappointed with the menu. They have a long list of crepes (both sweet and savoury), sandwiches made with baguettes or croissants, soup, and a variety of desserts. I chose to have a brie and spicy pepper jam baguette sandwich, a chocolate hazelnut tart, and an unsweetened iced matcha latte. So, suffice to say, it was a well-rounded lunch.
The baguette of the sandwich had a good crunch to it and as it was a multigrain one, it was earthy, a little nutty, and quite lovely. The creaminess of the brie was complimented perfectly with the sweet and spicy pepper jam. A sandwich this well-balanced makes for a good bite.
Let’s look at the hazelnut chocolate tart. The chocolate was rich like velvet, moist like a cloud, and surprisingly (albeit pleasantly so) filling. To round this whole thing off, I had the iced matcha latte as it is a summer favourite. The subtle flavours of green tea with cold milk and ice brings a healthy yet cooling effect while cleansing your palate at the same time. Definitely worth the stop!
Perfect for sitting in a cafe
Book
The best book to read in this boulangerie is “The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris” by Evie Woods because it talks about a very special and almost identical bakery to this one. As I was reading this book in this eatery I could not help but notice how similar these two places are. They have the same items in their menu, it is a small local business, and something about it feels like magic. In this particular novel it is about an Irish woman named Edie who is looking to find her place in the world. Not only does she find it but finds many enchanting surprises along the way and it all takes place in a bakery.
Yeah! Chocolate and Hazelnut Baby!
Final Thoughts/Ratings
10/10
This place has options for everyone. Whether you are a vegetarian, gluten-free or an all-around lover of food, there is a lot to enjoy here. The people are fun as well as friendly and the space is as warm and inviting as the morning sun. Let’s continue to find true treasures like this bakery.
Address: 2435 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2T4,
