Café Gourmand - a perfect ending to any meal

What is a "Café Gourmand," you ask? To be honest, I had no idea until about five years ago. I had seen this seemingly pricey coffee option on menus for years (usually about 7-10 Euros/$8-$12), but never knew what it was. That changed on a vacation in Château-Thierry, France with my husband. While at the Jean de la Fontaine café, I noticed the French businessman next to me enjoying a plate of tiny, delectable desserts alongside an espresso. Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked the server what it was, much to their horror. I couldn't believe that this plate of pure deliciousness was under $10! (Check out the center photo for my first masterpiece!) What magic you see here includes a sugared brioche, a tiny île flottante, a cannelé, and a crêpe with an espresso - FABULEUX! Where had this been all my life? This past year, I indulged in two more memorable café gourmands (see left and right photos). Next time you're at a French restaurant, be sure to order one and let me know what you think!

(Note: I'll be posting about different French desserts and pastries soon... in the meantime, enjoy the photo for a basic overview!)