Chez Meme Baguette Bistro - Burnaby, BC

It's a beautiful day and I've gotten up early for once in life so I wait patiently for Mr. Piglet to get up...  Ok, that lasted 5 minutes.  I kick his behind out of bed and demand to be taken to brunch.  Take me to brunch on this beautiful day!

We end up in North Burnaby at this little place on East Hastings that serves good ole fashioned French favorites in a non-descript location.  Not much going on in here in terms of decor - just a list of wines and drinks written on chalk boards and a few photos and that's it.  It's not that big with seven or so tables for 3-4 and two counters that could seat another two.  We get there at lunch to find all of the tables full so we take a counter in the front window, order and wait for our French delights...

Beef Bourguignon Baguette with Onion Soup - $10.75 + $3 to substitute for the Onion Soup

Boneless beef short ribs, caramelized onions and horseradish

The baguette is absolutely wonderful - crispy on the outside and light as air on the inside and it holds the fillings like no other.  I would buy this bread on its own.  The beef is the MOST TENDER beef in a sandwich I've ever had.  A hint of the wine sauce, a bit of onions for a change and a hit of horseradish to may you cry (and it will - I cried twice).  Not recommended for those sensitive to that kind of spice!  It's a meaty delight so I would recommend you go with the side salad for a lighter counterpoint although their fries also looked crispy delicious.  I chose to sub for the onion soup since it looked so enticing on a few other tables and I'm glad I did.  It may have been an extra $3 but it was well worth it - TONS upon TONS of layers of cheese, savory savory savory broth, soft browned onions with rich onion flavor in the soup.  Just the best onion soup I've ever had as the flavors were balanced so well and it doesn't fall victim to the curse of oversalting.  C'est tres bon!

Montagnarde Omelet - $10.50

Black forest ham, onions, potatoes and Raclette cheese served with fresh baguette and sauteed potatoes

The eggs are cooked perfectly and the potatoes have a nice crust but it's that absolutely awesome baguette that steals the show.  How can something be so simple but so delicious at the same time?  As I couldn't finish my onion soup, Mr eats his baguette dunked into stringy cheese and savory soup...  just an awesome combination.  

This is the type of place and these are the types of meals that the Piglets will remember - those plain places hidden in the middle of nowhere that just knocks your socks off.  They've been so popular, they've even decided to open for dinner.  One of the best lunch/brunch meals we've had in a while and we will definitely be back and recommend you pick up the phone, make a reservation and also get yourself one of those wonderful baguette sandwiches.  Bon appetite!


Pros:

• Free street parking available
• Wonderful food
• Moderately priced
• Friendly service
• Reservations accepted

Cons:

• Slower service - probably because it's so busy
• Smaller place so waits are to be expected
• No aircon - there's only a fan in the corner moving warm air around