Café Gourmand
Have you heard of the concept of “café gourmand”? At the end of a meal in France, this option is often found on dessert menus as café gourmand or tea gourmand in addition to the usual dessert items that feature the latest specialities, whether that be tartes, millefeuilles, or brûlées, along with the usual end-of-meal digestifs, cafés, and thés.
This magical item on the menu is truly my favorite! It consists of a small espresso or tea set along with the chef's selection of 3-4 individual dessert specialities, often in a smaller format of mignardises and their identities a mystery until presented at your table. So after you’ve enjoyed your main courses of the lovely lunch or dinner, you can experience the fine establishment’s range of desserts. What a great concept. I have no idea why this has not been picked up in America even though it's been written about by food magazines hoping to make it a trend. I may have to open a special concept business.
Credit: Café Gourmand in La-Londe by RudolfSimon, 5/31/13