French Meadow Bakery & Cafe

French Meadow Bakery & Cafe Restaurant Review:

As we glance up at the chalkboard behind the counter, two thoughts run through our minds: how do you pick one thing among such a garden of delights, and how many hours short of eternity will it take for the order to arrive? This bakery (certified organic since 1985) draws patrons for its bread and just as often draws gripes for poor service. But it's hard to stay mad at a place where you can order creamy lemon bars, white chocolate-raspberry cheesecakes or any kind of crusty loaf (including spelt and hemp varieties) and be rewarded with an artisan-quality baked good that makes the bakery's French aspirations seem less like a boast and more like a promise. Soups, such as vegetarian chili, are consistently satisfying, and the salads and sandwiches come packed with the freshest ingredients. We know spring has arrived when we go to the French Meadow, order one of the plate-size pancakes and head outside to watch the busy foot traffic on Lyndale.