Champagne French Bakery ~ A Cozy Cafe, Gluten-free Options

Champagne French Bakery ~ a cute french cafe serving up some tasty gluten-free options.

Champagne French Bakery Cafe, serving French dishes and baked goods for breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1987, opened first in North County San Diego.  Now they operate 12 cafes in California (5 in Los Angeles, 4 in Orange County, 3 in San Diego), each quaint and cozy.

Keep your meals F U N ! Indulge the kid in you and enjoy prepping your “smile” salad.

Eating their Parisian Salad makes me smile – as does playing with my food ;o).  Mixed greens, dried cranberries, apples, shallots, candied pecans, blue cheese and balsamic vinaigrette – voila!  I skip the blue cheese (and baguette), and add a side of grilled chicken.

I’ve indulged in this meal countless times.  It’s a great ‘to go’ salad to enjoy on a picnic at Franklin Canyon Park before a hike, or out at the ocean on my beach towel… or simply on one of those days when you just don’t want to cook, but want to indulge in something nutritious.

Simple, chic, and cozy – each cafe has inside and patio seating.

Their menu is pretty fantastic.  Of course, the day they start serving gluten-free bread will be TRES fantastic.  Until then there are soups, salads, breakfast items and a few desserts to keep gluten-free customers happily full.  Their website blog lists a gluten-free menu (from 2010), and their Director of Food and Beverage was kind to email me a few additional options, as follows:

• eggs & house potatoes
• yogurt parfait (granola is gluten-free, but not ‘certified’)
• all salads (request no bread, no croutons)
• potato salad, french slaw, fruit bowl
• tomato basil, vegetable soup, potato leek and butternut squash soups
• creme brulee, chocolate mousse, and any meringues

Champagne French Bakery Parisian Salad – plus chicken, minus blue cheese and baguette. Delicious!

They do not use soy or any marinades that contain gluten on their proteins (chicken or smoked salmon), so add them to your salads for a little boost.

In addition to their catering menu, they have a kid’s menu and list nutritional facts.  My Parisian salad w/ added chicken and balsamic comes in around 800 calories – however by omitting the blue cheese I’ve got to save a handful of calories there ;o).  They also serve fresh brewed, tasty and refreshing iced tea by Mighty Leaf.

Clearly I have many options for my next visit… wonder if I can resist my fabulous salad enough to indulge in something new ;o).  Bon appetite!

• Parisian salad, add chicken – kitty = $ 11.68 + tip