Rosallie
Petit Dejeuner Francais – Croissant, Toasted WholeGrain Bread, House Made Strawberry and Blackberry Jam, French Butter, Coffee
Almond Croissant
Raisin Snail
Pain au Chocolat
Pistachio, Coffee, Vanilla Macaron
Chocolate Dipped Madeline
Chocolate Chip Cookie and Macadamia Nut Cookie
Recently opened on South Rainbow under the creative direction of Jonathan Pluvinet, Rosallie ‘Le French Cafe’ quickly caught my eye as a destination for breakfast and with standards recently bolstered by a trip to the chef’s homeland it was to cheerful service and pastries on par with those experienced throughout Lyon and central France that the casual cafe extended its greetings, another noteworthy entry to Las Vegas’ suddenly booming artisan pastry scene.
Large in size and homey in décor despite its location in a Spring Valley Shopping Center, Rosallie represents a work of passion from the baker whose family owns a similarly named restaurant back home, and with large windows bathing the space in natural light as a mellow soundtrack of female vocalists plays overhead the choice of tables versus a leather chair-clad library offers seating for those looking to tuck into a sandwich or salad as well as those looking to linger over coffee and a pastry while browsing the net via WiFi offered for free.
Unconcerned with prices when it comes to assessing a new restaurant featuring the sort of goods displayed atop Le French Cafe’s stone and granite counter it was with a few questions answered by a young woman behind the glass that a substantial order was hatched and electing for nearly 75% of the pastries and breads offered plus a cup of coffee the total tab of less than $30 was a veritable bargain, each item plated carefully or placed in a basket with bread sliced and toasted to order alongside creamy French butter and a duo of housemade jams.
No doubt a sight to behold, the dozen items overflowing a two-top onto the table where my computer was already in place, it was with the warm multigrain roll that tasting began and with a dense crumb similar to the pain au cereal served at Paris’ Ledoyen the craftsmanship was immediately evident, bites gilded with butter and jam undoubtedly amongst the city’s best while the croissant set a new local standard for quality, the flaky arcs giving way to yawning caverns of lamination – definitely not the sort of thing one should attempt to eat in a car not soon intended to be swept.
Sipping coffee that fares far better than the vast majority of that found in France, a traditional drip in my case though French Presses and flavored lattes plus espresso are available for those interested in such things, it was onward to the raisin lined snail that I progressed and unraveling the springy coil to find light custard notes juxtaposing the fruit the quality once again rivaled all but the very best overseas, a pain au chocolate a bit less filled than one might have expected in America, though true to its French roots in all the right ways.
Hoping to ‘save the best for last’ it was here that the sampling turned to cookies, and although both the chocolate chip and macadamia nut versions were too crisp for my liking the ingredient quality was certainly on point with a dough far less ‘sweet’ than many, the Madeline not really benefited by a chocolate dip as it was delicate and delicious all on its lonesome while the single bite macarons were crisp-gives-way-to-creamy perfection, a country mile better than those served by another Westside “French” Bakery who need not be named.
At this point with several half-items boxed for later it was finally in Pluvinet’s almond croissant that I sank my teeth, and with a pure almond filling layered inside the double baked viennoiserie the question of where to find a truly exemplary version of my favorite French pastry in Las Vegas was finally answered, the powdered sugar and flakes soon showering both table and pants with each bite every bit as impressive as the last.
FOUR STARS: Making a strong case for itself as the best traditional French Bakery in town despite only being two weeks old there is not a doubt in my mind that in due time Rosallie could become the Westside’s go-to cafe, the only thing holding them back at this point being a somewhat limited menu and the fact that nothing was still-warm on my arrival shortly after eight.
RECOMMENDED: Almond Croissant, Butter Croissant, Whole Grain Bread, Vanilla and Pistachio Macarons.
AVOID: Cookies were too crisp and given the fact that only one of each was left at 8:00am the cynical part of me almost wonders if I was sold hold-overs from the day before.
TIP: The whole menu, inclusive of sandwiches, salads, and quiche is available daily from 7a till 6p daily.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor
