I have a fondness for the communal table—any eating
establishment that forces a bunch of strangers to break bread together
automatically wins points in my book. If that establishment also
happens to have drop-dead-amazing lunch and breakfast specials, all the
better. Le Fournil‘s long wooden center table is nearly always
full on bustling weekend mornings. Patrons gobble down the generous Le
Fournil Special: egg, ham, and Swiss melted onto a croissant—sort
of like a croque madame with clogged arteries—plus a
12-ounce coffee beverage, for $4.99. They also make passable soups and
salads, but the real glory is the lunch special: a drink, a pastry, and
a sandwich for a mere $7.99. I’m partial to the baguette with
cornichons, mustard, and pâté. Others might prefer the
Camembert, the more pedestrian ham and Swiss, or the surprisingly
delicious tuna fish. Their baguettes are crunchy on the outside, soft
on the inside, and just flavorful enough—as close to the real
Frenchy style as any I’ve tasted in Seattle. And did I mention you also
get a pastry? Tack on an extra one (pear tart, pain au chocolat,
madeleines) to bring home to your sweetie and not only will you get
extra points, you’ll still fork out <10. SAGE VAN WING