Winter is slowly melting away, even while the occasional cold front comes through to give us chills, as so everyone seeks out more fresh selections in their lives. Thoughts of starting anew, cleaning out old memories, and getting ready for the dawn of spring – cool moments morphing into vibrant beginnings. And what’s a more vibrant way to start off the day than in a fresh-feeling cafe?
Overilliteration aside, Le Petit Paris is just the place to go to for this transitional vibe. Started in Atlantic Beach in 2018, each of their four locations in Jacksonville has that classic romantic feel, making you think you walked straight into a novel or a tiny French getaway. Fresh little vases of flowers on every table, the interior reminding me of a classic Parisian painting, all bright and picturesque colors and ambiance – It was a whole new cute and cozy feeling. Their food and drinks are crafted in a similar, fancy yet free kind of way, with an air to them that I haven’t found in the other cafes I’ve visited so far. And the staff were also wonderfully cheerful and warm, checking up on me often and talking with me about all the different foods and drinks. They were so engaging that I ended up wanting to stay there forever. But, alas, food had to be eaten and blogs had to be written.
The foods and drinks at Le Petit Paris are all handcrafted French cuisine that you simply can’t find anywhere else. When I visited the Mandarin location, I had decided to go with the chocolate hazelnut plait, the Belgian waffles with banana slices, and the chestnut praline latte during my visit. An ultimately sweet yet divine time!
The Plait – a type of French braiding style, typically used in braiding hair, but also to distinguish the braiding and shape of this particular pastry – truly deserved a round of applause. Baked to golden brown perfection, warm and flaky, and with that evenly distributed, creamy and delicate chocolate-hazelnut spread. I honestly could’ve eaten ten of those, but I refrained from doing so.
The Belgian waffles were much sweeter than I thought they’d be as well, with a slight crunch of sugar on all the edges and small pockets. It was so warm and comforting to eat, but combining it with the bananas and garnish of strawberry slices and a pop of exciting vibrance. The dollop of butter on top, though, truly brought everything together. Extremely creamy and sweet, it just truly became the cherry on top to the eating experience.
The chestnut praline latte, by comparison to the food, was much more subtle but still rich in flavor. A soft, nutty smell that draws you in, along with a very buttery and nutty taste. Some flavors like that can get lost in the coffee, but it was surprisingly prominent. The espresso itself was also very smooth, though, with an added layer of milk foam on top to create a truly decadent experience.
Being in Le Petit Paris was just a brightening experience from start to finish. Getting my spirits lifted by such sweet flavors and vibrant atmosphere, I think I’m ready to tackle spring with everything that I have! With a million other selections – including even alcoholic beverages, yummy egg croissant sandwiches, and much more in their ever-changing seasonal menu – I’m sure everyone will find a romantic pick-me-up for themselves there as well.
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A local girl with a love of writing and food, who has transitioned into writing articles about all the local food spots, in order to encourage everyone to explore and take in the tastes of their community! With a bachelor’s degree in Communications & Media from FSCJ and a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies – Film & Screenwriting, I hope to get the community more engaged with their surroundings and take in all they have to offer! I’m glad if any of my articles encourage anyone to try new things or get out into the world!
Roughly bi-weekly uploads, but also taking everything one day at a time and going at my own pace~ Also will cover more than just food; looking forward to all of the local events I can attend on our First Coast as well!
