Boulange de Strawberry

When you walk into La Boulange and see the glass display filled with rustic tarts, sugar brioches, fruit danishes, madeleines, raspberry financiers and chocolate shortcake, you won’t want to look at anything else. But try to yank your eyes away, because this French style café and pastry shop also offers a range of specialty breads, savory sandwiches and delectable salads, so there’s much to sample before dessert.

Salads include a yummy mixed green with candied pecans, tomatoes, and vinaigrette. Add smoked salmon to this basic salad for an additional $3 – it goes well with the sweet, tangy flavors and adds some protein to the mix. Other salads on the menu are just as savory, making you eager to get your serving of healthy veggies. Think beets with goat cheese, orange, candied pecans, and greens. Or smoked trout with apple, potatoes, avocado, walnut croutons, and greens. The salad course here is definitely tasty.

For a heavier course, there are open-faced sandwiches on organic breads, filled with more fresh ingredients like smoked turkey, provolone, Portobello mushrooms, cucumbers, or roasted bell peppers, put together with the touch of French tradition. Soups are made daily, and quiches and grab-and-go sandwiches are also available.

When it’s about time for something sweet, you can easily spend as much money on cookies as you did on lunch, especially when this place has some of the best macaroons, or almond meringue sandwich cookies, on the planet. A box with one of all 10 flavors will cost you close to $15 – these cookies aren’t cheap, but they’re worth it.

Part of the Bay Bread Group, Boulange de Strawberry is one of a small smattering of La Boulange cafes in the San Francisco, where the bread is baked fresh in the morning and driven to the Marin location. Boulange de Strawberry is located in Mill Valley’s Strawberry Village, joined by a range of specialty shops and restaurants. Enjoy comfortable seating both indoors and out.

HelloSanFrancisco Tip: To become the office favorite, order a box of mini pastries, breads, or quiches available two dozen at a time.

- by Renee M. Rutledge, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Renee M. Rutledge

Renee M. Rutledge currently writes articles on local travel and culture for Red Tricycle, Parents' Press, Oakland Magazine, and Alameda Magazine.