How to order a specific coffee-based experience in Paris

April 2, 2013 6:30 PM

When in Paris in 2009, my sister and I saw the people at a table near us being served a delightful assortment of small pastries to accompany a coffee - and at the time, we learned the name for this. Apparently it is a "thing." But those brain cells have long since been killed off. We may be re-visiting Paris in 2014, and if we want to replicate this experience...what does one call it? I think there were three small bits of heaven on the side of the coffee.
posted by dorgla to Food & Drink (8 answers total)

Lagniappe?
posted by raisingsand at 6:33 PM on April 2, 2013

I don't know if there's a particular term for the cafe service, but I think you're after petit-four - so if you just ask for a selection, I think you'll be right.
posted by pompomtom at 6:36 PM on April 2, 2013 [2 favorites]

(to be honest, I'd start with the bakery, and then find the coffee...)
posted by pompomtom at 6:37 PM on April 2, 2013

Mignardises?
posted by carrienation at 6:40 PM on April 2, 2013

The small desserts are in fact mignardises, although with coffee they're offered as café gourmand. It's all the rage at the moment.
posted by Spanner Nic at 7:12 PM on April 2, 2013 [11 favorites]

Petits Fours?
posted by jamjam at 7:35 PM on April 2, 2013

Le Cafe Gourmand
posted by Joleta at 8:12 PM on April 2, 2013 [5 favorites]

Response by poster: YES!!! Le Cafe Gourmand is *it!* Thanks, all of you!!
posted by dorgla at 9:53 PM on April 2, 2013