Seattlest Pix 09Nov24
Tuesdays are Muppet Days
Seattlest Pix 09Nov23
Can't Miss It: Monday
Thanksgiving Pairing Suggestion: Sides with a Pint
Magritte references aside, can we catch a break in the 2500 block of Fourth Avenue, please? (See previous post about a sidewalk sale across the street.) Early in our Seattlest career, we opined that Boulangerie Nantaise bakes Seattle's best-tasting baguettes. Still true. But it turns out they don't know squat about sandwiches, whether it's how to spell 'em or how to make 'em. Shoulda gone online, where they've at least posted a picture of a toasted ham-&-cheese panino. Had we but known, had we but known.
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So what is a Croque?
@1 It's a hot sandwich that usually has ham in it. The Croque Monsieur gets ham on the inside, and bechamel sauce ladled over the top, then a slice of gruyere over that. Then it all gets broiled until it's heated through and the cheese gets browned. If you're curious, Cafe Presse on 12th and Madison does a good if inconsistent Croque Monsieur. (I've had ones there that were stone cold on the inside! Gross!) Croque Madame is basically the same thing, with an over-easy fried egg on the top. They're both good if done correctly, piping hot, and every ingredient is high quality. Otherwise it can taste like gluey ham.
Ronald... speaking of sandwiches, do you have a favorite place for Monte Cristo sandwiches in town?
Ah, yes, the Monte Cristo. For a while, there, we were in search of the best Reuben. Got as far as Hilltop Ale House when we ran out of gas (literally). For the Monte Cristo, on the other hand, you need eggs. The Stranger's stranger, Thadius Van Landingham III, actually found several places last year that made such a thing. Not sure we've ever actually had one.
Note to Editor: please notice that we're adhering to the Seattlest Third Person voice.
Actually your vow of plurality is lifted in the comments and you're free to refer to yourself, and only yourself, to your heart's content. But I know it can be hard to let go.
I would hardly take this as a sign that they know "squat" about sandwiches. I went on their web site and only saw a 'grilled sandwich' subsection. No direct indication that the croque-monsieur was paired with the picture of the above panino. Did the reviewer actually order a croque-monsieur and receive something that did not have bechamel sauce on top? I know there is definitely a most proper way to make a croque-monsieur, but I've had slight variations on that even in France.
Otherwise, the picture issue notwithstanding, all they seem to have done incorrectly was fail to write the cedilla on provençal and not hypenate croques-monsieur. The plural form keeps the monsieur singular, and while they should not have pluralized it, it is nevertheless not incorrect technically speaking. i've seen a lot worse.
The menu item is "Croque Monsieur" in the singular, just like "Burger" or "Apple Pie." You get only one sandwich. We ordered, photographed & ate the sandwich depicted on Seattlest.
On closer study, the virtually identical panino shown on the Boulangerie Nantaise is in fact identified (in the jpg's filename) as a Provençal. Seattlest regrets the error.
Gawd, a restaurant puts an extra "s" on a word on its sandwich board. Yep, sure deserves our scorn, Ronald. What a pinhead.
"Croques-Monsieur"...that's rich. As brilliant as that antique shop over on 25th Ave. N. & 65th St. that advertises "objects d'art".
Did no one catch that they offer a "Grilled Vegetarian" ? I'm guessing they went with a vegetarian because the vegan had less fat on him.
Seriously, though. I'm vegetarian with a French boyfriend, I'm always happy when there's an option for me on a French menu. --Except when the option implies cannibalism.
Had a lovely croque madame at Tilth. Also, my favorite reuben in seattle is at Essential Baking Company.
@9 Haha, awesome. Now I see it. Menus are rife with error in most restaurants, it's a favorite past-time of my cold cold heart to find them and laugh about them while I wait for my food.
Thanks Ronald and the guest @10 for the suggestions regarding Monte Cristos/Reubens... Happy sandwiching to you both.