One of my new favorite places to grab fresh French pastries or croissant is La Grignote. The old Conch House opened on the quiet side of Duval Street, where you are just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean. Sit on the patio, and feel the ocean breeze, or on the back sitting area for a little more intent service.
They are open for breakfast, brunch, and have a selection of savory and sweets, that will take you to the south of France.
Actually, that is where owners Babeth and Joel come from. After taking their passion for cooking from their childhood and mother country, they took their insight to San Francisco, where they continued their education at the San Francisco Baking Institute. They landed in Key West and found they had something to offer.
“We wanted to give people, the A-Z, style of cooking that is less-frequent offered on the island”
Babeth, who you can find baking, seating customers, or filling your glass of water, saw only a few establishments, in Key West, cooking food from scratch. Moving down here was not a rick because they knew there was a demand for people who wanted to taste fresh ingredients made every day.
The decor is modern and simply comfortable. Tables, chairs, and a glass window separates a counter full of freshly baked items. The restaurant opens up to a back sitting area on hardwood floors, under a canopy, of dripping vines. The place is pet-friendly and has seating for groups up to ten.
Order the Norwegian Salmon Eggs Benedict or the Belgian Waffles. All the croissants, pastries, pizza, sandwiches, salads, muffins, cookies, jams, honey, bacon, juice, are fresh and made every day. La Grignote makes Gluten-free items, and there is also a variety of Vegetarian options.
Matthew Baldwin
Matthew is a true Conch who grew up in Key West swimming at Higgs and Ft. Zachary Taylor beaches. He attended Florida Keys Community College and Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida earning a Bachelors of Arts degree in History. Matthew loves to travel and meet like-minded folks with progressive outlooks and a sense of humor. He enjoys cooking for friends and staying active by working out at the outdoor gym at Higgs beach and doing yoga. His five-year plan is to write and publish a book about the keys and eventually make his way out west to the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California.
