Monday I was treated to a devine lunch at Cafe de Flore.This is a Paris establishment, having been at the heart of many great movements since its opening in about 1887. Its name comes from small divinity sculpture which was on the other side of boulevard St Germain. From 1918-1930 the cafe served as meeting place and for the dadaist and surrealist movement. In 1939 Café de Flore, with the aid of Jean Paul Sartre, birthed the existentialist movement. I doubt Nausea was named after the Café de Flore food. Names like Brigitte Bardot, YSL, Giacometti, Hemingway, James Baldwin, Roman Polansky, & Pepe the female monkey rack up throughout the years. Check out their website for the full story


But the real point of this post is the Croque-Monsieur. I ordered it on recommendation by Nathalie but almost turned it down for welsh-rarebit. The croque-monsieur is a hot ham and cheese sandwich with broiled cheese, usually gruere) on top for that extra bit o flavor and crunch. The origins of it's name are unknown but the croque bit is definitely all crunch. Next time (if the welsh-rarebit doesn't get me) I'll try the Croque-Madame - same sammy served with a fried egg & bechamel or mornay sauce on top.