Lunch at TC Paris

I cannot tell you how lucky you are Saratoga Springs to have TC Paris in your backyard. We miss having them in Albany dearly but have seen them grow and evolve into such a fantastic shoppe over the past couple of years. It's no longer about the macarons, albeit the best ones we've had in the Capital Region, but Chef Paul and crew are churning up more and new exciting things every time we get chance to get our butts up there. Things are getting savory and tres delicieux! We checked out their new Lunch in Paris menu:

Croque Monsieur: Not your typical lunchbox ham and cheese. This sandwich is grilled with a generous amount of butter and lovingly layered with carefully picked ingredients--European Ham from Niman Ranch, imported Gruyere, on "Pan de Compagne" bread. It's topped with a luxurious, creamy bechamel sauce spiked with thyme for added layer of flavor and broiled until brown and bubbly. A light spread of mustard adds just enough zip to cut through the richness of it all. How cute are the teeny tiny cornichons served alongside?

The Remy: The french baguettes at TC Paris remind me of the ones at home in Montreal. For me, the flavor and texture of the bread is very nostalgic with just the right balance of a crisp crust to chewy innard. Add some sweet fig jam, salty prosciutto, creamy St. Andre cheese, and some peppery arugula and you've got yourself another winning sandwich.

Mac 'n Cheese: What's so French about macaroni and cheese? Well the same buttery bechamel sauce adds a wonderful creaminess with a dash of nutmeg and imported Malaysian black pepper. But a simple but generous amount of cheese, both Gruyere and aged Canadian cheddar, add a very comforting and familiar taste. It's a well-made classic dish but somehow tastes more sophisticated.

Be sure to polish things off with a fleur de sel caramel. It's salted caramel taken to a whole new level with a deep bruleed flavor. For good measure, take an opera cake or Isphan macaron home too. What a treat to have a taste of Paris without a passport!