What: The lunch special
Where: D’Coffee Bouteaque, 73131 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert
How much: $16
Contact: 760-636-1702; www.instagram.com/d_coffee_bouteaque_
Why: Tasty food in a charming space.
I am not sure what I was expecting when I walked into D’Coffee Bouteaque. All I knew was that it was a café/coffee shop, and that it’s been getting rave reviews over the year-plus it’s been open.
However, I can confirm that I did NOT expect what I discovered—one of the most charming and unique restaurants in the valley.
At D’Coffee Bouteaque, décor and vibe is just as important as the food and coffee. The tables and chairs vary, including a cushioned seating area under a dome … with a monkey on top. You’ll find flowers, trees, shelves with old books and knickknacks, and more. There’s also a nice patio for people who wish to sit outdoors.
The coffee and food are not served in boring old dishes. Heavens, no: It will all arrive at your table on China and other colorful, gorgeous tableware.
But D’Coffee Bouteaque is not just about the décor: The drinks and food are fantastic. I ordered one of the specialty lattes, a Salted Caramel Dreams ($6.50), “made with a rich caramel sauce and a pinch or two of sea salt topped with signature whipped cream and a pretzel.” Yum.
For my lunch, I got the lunch special: a half-sandwich (a ham and cheese croissant, in my case) and a cup of soup (I selected French onion over the tomato basil) with a small house salad. Everything was splendid, especially the savory soup and the flaky, tasty croissant. My only quibble is that I wish the cheddar cheese on the sandwich had been a little more melted.
I didn’t expect to walk out of D’Coffee Bouteaque knowing that I had a new favored breakfast-and-lunch spot … but I did. It’s a whimsical space offering a delicious escape from the outside world.