For a short and stupid time in 1982 and afterwards, some American men stopped eating egg pie. A bestselling book was published that year entitled Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche. It was a silly guide to masculine living in a world thankfully becoming progressively less macho. Manly men in France and the U.S. laughed at the silliness and kept eating well-made quiche. I’ve always loved and made quiche because, well, it’s pie for breakfast.
Julien Jeannot knows real quiche. At Lafayette’s Jeannot’s Patisserie & Bistro, the French-born pastry chef melds nutmeg-accented creamy eggs and aged Gruyere cheese plus lots of ham into a buttery flaky crust. Really, what’s not to like?
Jeannot’s classic quiche Lorraine is rich and creamy, not rubbery, and baked long enough to caramelize the cheese-y top. I enjoyed a slice with a side of raspberry preserves, plus a fresh fruit and berry salad and a cup of dark-roasted coffee.
The bistro’s breakfast/lunch menu also features salade Lyonnaise topped with bacon and a poached egg, croque monsieur, and a salmon English muffin with cream cheese, caper, pickle and egg.
The cases are full of traditional French classics including croissant, pain aux raisins, pain au chocolat, financiers, tarts, éclairs and cakes.
What I like here is the attention to detail all around. Jeannot’s is not cheap quiche, but it’s well worth savoring.
Another Roadfood Attraction: Donut Attraction
For decades visitors knew they were nearing the Rocky Mountain National Park entrance when they rounded a corner in Estes Park and saw the Donut Haus sign.
Doughnut lovers have a new reason to smack their lips at high altitude since The Daily Donut opened recently near the original Donut Haus location. With windows where you can view the doughnut frying, glazing and topping process, Daily Donut is far more entertaining than another Estes Park culinary attraction I visited. Beef Jerky Experience is just a whole lot of jerky hanging out.
The Daily Donut was opened by the same folks who operate the You Need Pie bakery and cafe. Doughnut flavors include coconut, chocolate-dipped strawberry, peanut butter cake, and baby Bostons filled with Bavarian cream and coated in chocolate glaze. My favorite variety is the yeast-raised doughnut with thick maple glaze and a crown of smoky bacon pieces.
The shop’s menu also features baked and fried cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, and, on the savory side, Texas kolaches and breakfast burritos.
Culinary Calendar: Take this Class
Please take this class or a similar knife skills class. It is the single best thing you can do to make food prep easier, faster, safer and more fun for the rest of your cooking life. The Knife Skills Class June 18 at Longmont’s Journey Culinary Ltd. shows you how to choose a knife, sharpen it, hold it safely and chop, dice, slice and mince (journeyculinary.com). … Slow Food Boulder County celebrates summer in the field with tours, burgers, wine, beer, s’mores and a campfire June 25 at Longmont’s Community Table Farm (slowfoodboulder.org). … The Denver Greek Festival, June 17-19, features an array of Greek foods (thegreekfestival.com). … Botanica: A Festival of Plants is June 18-19 at Lafayette’s Three Leaf Farm, with workshops about wild foods and a farm dinner (botanicafestival.com).
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Send information about Boulder County and Colorado food and drink events, classes, festivals, farm dinners, farm stands and tastings to: nibbles@boulderweekly.com.
