La Bonne Soupe Cafe
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
142 Reviews for La Bonne Soupe Cafe
I came today to try a little taste of heaven in my mouth. Yes ladies and gentelmen, what I am talking about is the warm fig and goat cheese sandwich on the special board. I came thiiiiis close to not getting it because the brie and proscuitto sandwich was just that good the last time I had it, but glad I did!! It was out of this world amazing and I recommend trying it the next time he offers this fabulous special.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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06/30/2008
I had to come here once and for all and was so glad I did! I only work one block away so this will… Read more »
Vegetable cream soup and brie and proscuitto sandwich. Whenever I think of a soup place it makes me think of the Soup Nazi episode on Seinfeld, but the chef here is so nice! Too bad I'm not working downtown anymore...
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Here's something fun to try with the significant other which will illustrate why I'm loving this place:
1. Tell the S.O. that you'll be taking her to lunch at an intimate downtown spot where your food will be prepared right in front of you by a venerable French chef.
2. Feel the sting of her disappointed grumble/slap across your face as you drag her to some soup-and-sandwich joint next to Sacramento Bail Bonds.
3. Get the satisfaction of regaining all your cred as your delicious meal is prepared exactly as you described it.
4. Gain financial satisfaction (and be branded a cheapskate by the S.O.) as you get out for around 20 bucks.
As an aside, I must say that I'm somewhat dismayed by the ELEVEN references to "the Soup Nazi" that appear in Yelp reviews. First of all, soup is a relatively minor player on the menu, with 4 or 5 soups against the 15+ sandwiches. Second, the proprietor/chef is French, so he'd probably take serious offense at the reference.
That being said, this place really is a gem in the heart of the city, and as authentically French as you're likely to find this side of Bistro Jeanty. The waits are legendary, but unlike most Sacramento joints, this doesn't result from laggard half-wit servers dragging their asses and taking long breaks. Rather, it is because the chef is the only guy in the kitchen, making your sandwiches one at a time with freshly baked baguettes. Since he makes the food in plain view, it adds somewhat of an entertainment factor to boot. Watch this guy in action and you'll see what sandwich skillz are really about; those flunkies at Togo's can't hold a candle (and I like Togo's!).
Those baguettes are, in fact, the cornerstone of the sandwiches, i.e. even Spam would taste pretty good on one of these hot, crusty beauties. However, the chef displays plenty of artistry in how he adorns them. Each sandwich is a precise, focused creation, without all-too-common faults like unnecessary flourishes, excessive/low-quality toppings (hello, Beach Hut?) or cookie-cutter fixin' application schemes (I'm looking at you, Subway!). The pate du maison was a richly flavored duck and pork creation, with the appropriate addition of sliced cornichons. Perfect! A cream of spinach soup was just rich enough, and aggressively (i.e. properly) seasoned. With the usual warning to come early or late to avoid the rush, I give La Bonne Soup my highest recommendations for delicious, unfussy lunch grub.
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Hands down the best lunch in sacramento ... on weekdays only since it is closed on weekends.
I finally made it to La Bonne on my summer sabbatical tour of downtown lunch spots. I had high expectations, and how could one not, with all the 5 star reviews and top ranking in best of Sac Yelp. Armed with my yelp acquired knowledge of the place, I made my visit right at 10:30 when they opened. And my research paid off, there was nobody in line and I had no wait. There was a lady eating her soup sitting down who had made it there before me. I appeared to be the 2nd customer of the day.
Chef Pont was polite and reserved. I enjoyed watching him make my sandwiches with care. In about 5 minutes I scurried off quickly with my soup and sanwiches, ready to sink my greedy chompers into them.
The sandwiches were great, we had the proscuitto & brie and the pork loin. The ingredients were fresh and his secret sauce was what really helped pull all the flavors together. The bread is hard on the outside, but not too hard to sabotage the entire sandwich. If you eat it carefully you can avoid scraping the roof of your mouth. I came through with just a few mild abrasions. My wife said it was too hard for her liking. The brie was cut thick and was fully melted, oozing out of one side of the sandwich. Amazingly my sandwiches were piping hot even after the drive home. The pork was moist and light in flavor, definitely not too salty. It still made for a great sandwich.
The cream of corn soup was heavenly. It was sweet and filled with corn goodness. I am a corn soup nut, and this really fit the bill. The cream of mushroom was also good, and had plenty of garlic. Both soups had a spicy zing to them, as noted by our 4 year old: "It's spicy, spicy like bell pepper."
Looks like I will be going back often this summer, I've got the rest of the menu to explore! (I took pics of the menus and have posted them for your enjoyment.)
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Mmmmm.....yummy, creamy, delicious soup! I had the cream of mushroom soup. At first I thought, "Soup is soup" ... WRONG!!!
nice and light, yet rich and filling with garlic and spices i can't pick out...I'll never go back to Progresso again (unless the Cafe's closed and I'm desperate, of course).
One day I went in and had butternut squash soup. tres bonne!! So creamy with a light flavor, not too powerful that your tastebuds get overwhelmed - I had the whole bowl. It was superb! And of course, the lovely french music playing in the cafe is wonderful, along with Chef Daniel Pont!
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Tasty sandwiches and soups
The perfect lunch: soup + sandwich and Chef Dan does sandwich and soup like no other.
After reading all the reviews on here, I "HAD" to try to cream of asparagus! It was delicious, not TOO salty, but just the perfect amount and not too creamy either. Simply perfection, and to be honest, I usually avoid asparagus in my diet, but this was really tasty stuff.
I had the brie and proscuitto sandwich and it was super tasty that I decided to emulate the sandwich at home this weekend.... Unfortunately I didn't have Chef Dan's secret sauce so this just means I'll have to go to La bonne Soupe more often!
He treats each sandwich like art and really takes the time to do it right. I applaude his patience and culinary talents to take something so simple.. Soup and sandwich and turn them into nothing less than perfection.
Absolutely delightful... can someone please get him a new yelp sticker already?
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I have eaten here a few times at lunch, and I love the fact that the owner is the only person in the place. He cooks, serves, and works the register, but this means you have to go early or late to avoid a long line.
Although some of the soups, salads, and baguette sandwiches are tasty, I have major issues with filth, and this place is grubby... lots of dust and fruit flies. Takeout might be a better idea.
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Very french (5 stars because i am biased).
I was at the courthouse on jury duty. I will always look forward to jury duty because i know ill be eating at La Bonne Soupe Cafe for lunch.
prices are decent 5-6 bucks for a sandwhich. i ordered la chevre et figue (fresh fig and goat cheese) a sweet sandwich vs. the brie et prosciutto which has a salty taste. tried the cream of asparagus... wasn't as exciting as my sandwich but still good
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Question: What happens if Chef Dan needs to take a sick day? Were this guy not to show up to work, I'm inclined to think the downtown shirt-and-tie brigade would storm that shop window Bastille-style!
Who's in on some Daniel Pont t-shirts??
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Finally made it in here it goes.....
This is a one man show!!!! One order taker, one sandwich maker, one person on register, and guess what, its all the same guy. This man has patience like no other. People are packing into this small place and the man behind the counter just keeps on going at the same relaxed pace, no hurry here. I like that. With that in mind expect to wait a while for good food, everyone does.
Oh and here is a tip, this happened to me on Monday. If you come here to eat there are only 6 tables in here if my memory serves me correctly. So, if you come in the door and see about 15 people in line ahead of your party don't scramble over and claim a table (or 2) for yourself because chances are by the time you get to the front of the line and get your food, all 15 people in front of you will have had time to eat and leave. So let people in front of you sit and enjoy their food too while you wait in line for yours. Just a tip.
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uhh I don't even know why I am writing this.
Yes, it's GOOD. Yes, you have to get here early. We got here a little past 11a, by the time we starting eating...the place was packed.
I had broccoli soup and a prosciutto with warm brie sandwich. I saved half of my sandwich cause I thought I was too full. Yeaaaa it didn't exactly last in my to go bag, I just got done killing it. The bread is kinda hard though and if it weren't for my fear of chipping my front teeth (don't ask) we'd be home free. Regardless, I still managed to bite into and enjoy the warm gooey goodness.
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After reading the reviews over and over, I finally was able to make my way to La Bonne Soupe. It happened to work out quite well because I had a noon meeting, so an 11 a.m. lunch was in order. And this place is everything they said it would be.
I had the braised pork sandwich, which was fantastic. It goes back to the idea that simple foods done well will best overly complex dishes any day of the week. Even though I was happy with my pick, the guy in front of me ordered the warm brie and prosciutto sandwich. I had to put my tongue back in my mouth and wipe the drool from my lips. I am ordering that next time! Anyway, added to the sandwich was a bowl of French onion soup. A-1! It is a must order.
My only regret is not ordering 2 sandwiches and taking one home for dinner.
The bottom line - believe the hype!
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So, after 100+ reviews, what more can anyone say about this landmark, nay, godsend? Stay tuned - I'll get to that in a minute.
When elite status was bestowed upon me with a jaunty hoodie, Yelp warned me: "Be elite, not elitist" or something to that effect. But come on - if you had heard about Monsieur Pont's House of Wonder the old-fashioned way, say, in person during an actual conversation, months before you even discovered Yelp, you would brag too. I mean, this was back when people were still comparing him - endearingly, I might add - to the Soup Nazi.
Myself one who enjoys soup at all hours of the day, 365.25 days a year, I had to find this place. The Soup Nazi episode, if anything, made me hungry every time I saw it. When Elaine found his recipes in that armoire and started reading them off, I was practically drooling. Little did I know that the little glass door on the shady side of the US Bank building would be a gate to heaven.
Thus began a love affair with perfectly baked (yeah, they're initially par-baked - whatever!) bready-love enveloping the most artfully assembled ingredients, period. First, the warm Brie and prosciutto, then the smoked salmon, the baked salmon, duck breast, braised turkey, the braised pork, the salami with roast beef and cheese ("this sandwich reminds me of France" he once chimed) and my seasonal favorites, the baked halibut and the figs and brie. The onion soup is, naturally, to die for, and the creamy vegetable creations are divine on a bad day, if such a thing exists in the La Bonne Soupe world (this is a lie - once, I tried to go in and he was closed because his AC was broken! I was lost and defeated trying to find lunch elsewhere.)
With a Pellegrino or a French lemonade to complete the gastronomic vacation, I became something of hedonist. I was waiting in those long lines, popping in at different parts of the midday to study the flow of clientele, developing a La Bonne Soupe strategy. Show up at 11:20 and you may not have wait in line - show up at 11:25 and a group of hungry lobbyists/lawyers/staffers will keep you there for an hour. Drop in at 1:45 and you'll have the place to yourself, almost guaranteed; the cream of asparagus, however, will be gone. Occasionally, you can stop by anywhere between noon and 1pm and catch an eye in the storm. I tried to create a system, but I mostly depended on luck.
Now, unfortunately, I do not work Downtown anymore. I was once a mere three blocks from my own little Paris (without the cigarettes - woohoo!) I can only dream about it these days. A tiny bit of paradise could be bought with six dollars and encapsulated in a baguette; now, it is just a memory.
And now, the grandest of memories: one morning, I stopped in very early, maybe around 11:15. Monsieur Pont was assembling my sandwich when a couple of faces most likely familiar to him walked in; it was a middle-aged Latino couple.
"Eau-la, commeau estazz?" beamed Monsieur Pont.
I nearly died from holding in my laughter.
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WOW! am i glad i found this gem while spending the week in Sacto. i read all the reviews prior to stopping in and decided i'd make up my mind once i got there. person after person ordered the famous smoked salmon sandwich. i decided to go for it since it's so popular.
amazing. the bread is to die for and fresh out of the oven. the owner/chef makes each sandwich with grace and it comes out as an art form. i also had to try the soup since everyone raves about it. i went for the cream of corn.
another WOW. smooth, rich, seasoned perfectly. it brought me right back to France....and i haven't even been there yet.
this is a MUST in any Sac trip.
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After over a year of meaning to try La Bonne Soupe, I finally made it down for lunch last month on my birthday (at my significant other's suggestion/insistence). I was sick that day, and hadn't felt like eating much, but the french onion soup was tres, tres bon, and the owner! Ah! I think I'm in love. He may have replaced the owners of Cafe Rolle for my favorite French import in Sacramento.
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Think this place is over-hyped, or maybe I just came on a bad day.
Ordered a cup of cream of vegetable (one of the soups of the day), along with a warm brie & prosciutto sandwich.
Sandwich was very good.. don't find warm brie sandwiches around very much, lettuce and tomato tasted very fresh, I think he even said he grows them in a greenhouse -- since there's a tomato scare going on right now. Could have used a little more prosciutto (I think I just had one slice). The cheese overwhelmed it, could barely taste the prosciutto, but everything was good and on nice crusty bread.
Soup was overly salty. That's where I dock the points for.
Prices are pretty high, and being a made to order one-man operation (while very impressive), is not good for you if you're in a time crunch...
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Great food, very sympatique small restaurant where you can order in French too. Location doesn't help a lot for parking, but it's worth the troubles and the wait; careful though, it's only opened for lunch on week days.
I'm putting only 4 because he could easily hire someone to help him and help customers not waiting in line for 15+ mins ( I appreciate his care of the preparation, but that's a bit "too much" I guess).
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thanks yelpers, this was quite a treat.
I had a hard time believing what I was seeing as I walked in. The guy you see in the pictures takes care with every order, and is the only one working there. Expect a delay if there is a line, but it was well worth it! Very cozy and delicious!
Cute little place with a cute little man running everything.. My friend asked for the trout sandwich and got pork instead though. Still, we can't complain because the sandwich was delicious and we wanted to try everything anyway.
There always seems to be a never ending line there but it's well worth it. The only con to this place is parking.
Outstanding food. The broccoli soup and prosciutto brie sandwich were perfect. Tiny place. Long line. Don't get impatient with the line. It's worth every minute of wait time. The next item I want to try is the trout fillet.
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I loved this place. I had a meeting in Sacramento and happened to just park in front of this little cafe.
The man working here is very sweet and french and the sandwich he made me divine!
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I just went here, again, today for like the umpteenth time . I love the food, I love the cook and I love the people that go there. We ordered the Warmed Brie & Fig sandwich with two soups; vegetable and asparagas. I liked the asparagas better because it was saltily delicious! The sandwich, as usual, was amazing: homemade french roll, crunchy on the outside, soft & warm on the inside, the brie, cut about 1/2" thick and soft, sweet fig slices on top. crap...have to go or i'd write for another hour!
OK, it's true. This place does not really need another stellar review. But I can't help it, I just have to.
The treasure of a man behind the counter really is the best at what he does in Sacramento. Just like in the movie "Big Night," he suffers for his food. Go early or plan to wait. But it is unquestionably perfect in every dimension and well worth the wait!
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Meh. A little over-rated. Not much better than La Bou. I mean how hard is it to find soup and a sandwich downtown?
The man working there is so sweet! He is alone in the process of making your sandwich...so it takes awhile, since the line is out the door!...but it's so worthwhile!!! The time flew as your mouth watered, wataching the chef create his masterpiece with every order. I had one of the sandwiches of the day, warmed brie and apples....so tasty, lights, and filling!! I fell in love with the small tables by the window and the decor, some of which being his accomplishments via newspaper clippings, framed and on the wall. The cream of mushroom soup with leeks was also delectible! And the prices! I got a sandwich, soup and lemonable for $12, fantastic. Please tip him!!! He totally deserves it!
This place is a gem.
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So amazing! The soup, the sandwiches! Everything I've eaten there has been great. The one thing you need to keep in mind is that cuisine this good takes time, and Chef Dan assembles each sandwich to order, so make sure to give yourself enough time to have a great lunch.
What a wonderful restaurant. Unprepossessing on the outside, the line stretching out the door is only way you'd know there was a reason to stop in (other than the local buzz about "the French guy"). Manning oven, cutting board and cash register, he makes everything to order, splitting each asparagus spear and slicing each strawberry immediately before putting it on the sandwich and handing it to you. The results are fabulous. My first visit, munching the brie and apple sandwich while walking back to work, the thought in my mind was that this sandwich was the sort of thing that makes life worth living. It really was that good. Don't miss it!
This place really doesn't need yet another rave review, but I just had to comment on the bread. I could just eat that bread for breakfast, lunch and dinner. How is it so perfectly toasty on the outside, yet so soft on the inside???
The man is a genius. He's able to be only open on weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and have a winding line of people patiently waiting while he carefully crafts each sandwich.
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I'm licking the bowl of my cream of corn soup as I type this review...it might just be one of the best soups I have ever had. I decided to try this place after reading about it on here and I must say that it lived up to the hype. Yes, the line takes forever but once you see the process, it is understandable. The chef makes everything himself and truly takes time with each sandwich. I had the smoked salmon sandwich which came with creme fraiche, asparagus, cucumber, lettuce, and a vinaigrette. It was fantastic. Every ingredient worked well with the other. So yummy! As I mentioned before, I had the cream of corn soup which was beyond words. My roommate had the sausage and the french onion, both of which he loved. I will be back soon because I'm already craving more of that sandwich even though I'm really full.
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Best kept secret in Sacto! The french onion soup is ohhh so savory as well as the smoked salmon sandwich with asparagus and creme fraiche. Each food order prepared to perfection no matter how long the line is out the door. The price is completely reasonable, especially compared to La Bou and other such generic establishments that do not even compare to this unique hole-in-he-wall. The chef is a whole other character that makes the experience even more superb.
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Chef Daniel Pont, will you marry me?
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The Hype is all true. It is fabulous. I recommend a braised pork sandwich and a side of squash soup (when he has it). The food sells quickly and it does have a line out the door. However, I would wait because when you taste your first bite you will be addicted. It is flavorful and not your typical deli sandwich!!!
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SOOO yummy. I love soup and his soup is amazing. Delicious, hot, fresh, flavorful, never too salty or heavy. The sandwiches are good too but I am somehow not as wowed by them He makes each one lovingly and as if it were a masterpiece. The bread he uses is very good too. The only thing that sucks is the long line, lack of parking for those that don't work within walking distance and the lack of tables. It's great that he works alone and takes such pride in his sandwiches but it gets annoying when you just want a cup of soup and you have to wait for half an hour while he slowly, meticulously and lovingly makes each sandwich to order. Then walks over to the register to ring each customer up usually with some wait time for the credit card machine. He is just so cute that you can't be mad for long. I did take off a star because of it. On second thought I just can't give him less than 5 stars. He probably can't afford to hire help and to be honest most of the wait is for him making the sandwiches. I would not want anyone else to do that part. It would be nice if those of us wanting soup could have our own line but the place is too small. So I'm giving him his 5th star back. :)
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I've been here a handfull of times in the past month, I went once and I was hooked. I've had a number of soups, cream of mushroom, vegetable, and asparagus. They're extremely rich, but really hot and tasty. I've also had the lamb, smoked trout, roast pork sandwiches. I have to say the trout is my favorite by far.
The man working behind the counter making these delish eats is so sweet and really takes care in making the sandwiches, I really appreciate that. I'm really happy to have somewhere like this to have a lunch when I'm at work.
I have to say, this is probably the best lunch spot for me, I heart soup, and this is some of the best soup I've had. I haven't had anything here I have disliked.
Golly it sure is windy today.....
The kind of weather that makes me want to have some soup.....and I don't even like soup.
I work about 3 blocks away from this place, and ever since I started my job, 6 months ago, I've been dying to try it. I know that the price is a bit outside of a clerk's salary, so I haven't quite made it yet.....Until today....I had some birthday money burning a hole in my pocket, and to celebrate my joining of Yelp, I figured I would visit Mecca.
Ladies and gentlemen, believe the hype! This place is great! I arrived with a buddy around 11:10am, and the place was empty....yeah, you read right, I didn't wait in line at all! I ordered the hot brie and apple sandwich, and a cream of corn soup. The sandwich didn't sound like it would be all that great, but one taste, and I was blown away. So simple, yet so delicious......every part of every bite tasted of caring and studious preparation. Like I said, I don't like soup. It just doesn't seem like food to me. It's more like a drink, I've never been full from eating soup. This cream of corn flipped my perception of not only soup, but in turn, the whole universe, and everything I thought I knew about existence. Creamy, buttery, perfectly seasoned, and filling. A big bowl of warm hug, just what I needed for this blustery day. The portions are mid-sized, not a lot, but definitely enough. The term "perfect lunch" gets thrown around so much these days, but Mr. Pont is the king of lunchland. My bill came to $12.03 with a coke, a bit steep for everyday, but an excellent value for a mini-vacation out of Sacramento. I have never been to a place like this.....Trust the 5,000,000 reviews of La Bonne Soup, and go as soon as you can.....and often.
P.S.- I have to get a glass of wine next time.....
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Excellent sandwiches and mouth-watering soups. Monsieur Pont uses the freshest ingredients and spruces them up with his secret sauce. Try to go earlier to beat the lunch crowd, otherwise have plenty of quarters handy for those parking meters. Venture out from boring turkey and ham, the smoked duck breast sandwich is to die for...
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Just as delicious as everyone is raving about! The Smoked Salmon and Warm Brie and Apple are both mouth-watering!! Definitely give this place a try
I have wanted to go to forever and have been jealous of all he yelpers that review this place, but have been to lazy (lame?) to get moving and leave my corporate rat hole daytime neighborhood to drive across the American River and have a proper lunch.
This all changed today and as it now stands I might need to find a new job that is more convenient to my new favorite lunch spot. The chef can definitely make a tasty sandwich. The portion size was that perfect, when he hands it to me I think "whoh thats not enough" but in actuality I'm sitting in my cubicle with a full stomach. The tastiness of that warm crispy French baguette, , the silkiness of the warm brie, the saltiness of the prosciutto, and the sweet tartness of his secret sauce will be on my mind for the rest of the day.
Le Bonne Soupe if you get a credit card machine for my lame cashless self I will give you another star, because at that point you will be everything I need.
Update (Le Bonne Soupe Day 2): The man has a credit card machine hiding behind the cash register, and all my french onion soup dreams have come true. Career Builder .com here I come.
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