What: Croque madame
Where: Café Mon Amour, 333 N. Palm Canyon Drive, No. 105, Palm Springs
How much: $15.90
Contact: 760-327-0382
Why: Simple yet delicious.
Bread. Ham. Gruyere cheese. A sunny-side-up egg. A properly done croque madame is so simple—yet so amazingly delicious.
The croque madame is indeed properly done at Café Mon Amour, a delightful and popular breakfast/lunch spot that opened two years ago in the downtown Palm Springs space previously occupied by L’Olivo. The menu includes all of the things one would expect at a French café: pastries, savory croissants, sweet crepes, breakfasts, quiches, sandwiches, salads and even rillettes (spreads) with bread.
Everything we ordered had endorsement potential. The chocolate croissant ($4.40) was appropriately buttery and flaky, while the hubby’s quiche Lorraine (with bacon, onion and gruyere, $15.90) was a savory treat. A sign on the counter where customers order warns that since the food is freshly made, it may take a while to arrive—and this proved to be the case, but we did not mind.
On our recent weekday breakfast visit, the café was quite busy, with most of the inside tables occupied, and a good number of the outside tables taken as well, despite the chilly weather. The place is the very definition of charming; inside, a variety of seating options are surrounded by shelves with knickknacks and plants, and the walls include a variety of photos, signs and posters. Outside, the patio offers a different vibe, highlighted by a slightly subterranean view of Palm Canyon Drive.
If you’re in a hurry, or you’re looking for a meal with substantial portion sizes, go elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a relaxed, quality breakfast or lunch at a place with a great vibe, consider Café Mon Amour. It’s not a Paris cafe—but it’s as close as you’ll get in the Coachella Valley.
