What can I say about Josette Leblond that has not been said. She is a culinary icon, with so much knowledge and wisdom, she is a true restaurateur She is just so fun and vivacious, she is a real people pleaser. When you meet her, you can tell that she loves what she does and has a shining personality. My longtime friend Pamela Clay is also a good friend of Josette’s, she sings at her fine establishment often, Pamela usually sings legend Edith Piaf’s repertoire. I saw that they were doing a Bastille Day party, but I was already engaged so I asked Josette is I could come in for a tasting, and she gladly said yes.
She runs a very tight ship and most of her staff have worked for her for a very long time. Jossette rules the roost, she is the boss, and everyone loves her.
The interior is airy and bright, with a true French Café feel. You are just transported back to Paris without the pricey airfare. The music is French pop, classical, songbook, it really sets the tone for the full French experience.
Part of her business is wholesaling their wonderful baguettes and other bakery items. Many of the best restaurants in Los Angeles and beyond serve her lovely bakery items. Carlos Alvarez cooks all of these wonderful baguettes, his baking day starts everyday at 5am.
Here’s What I Tried:
Croissant and a cappuccino, this is how I started my lovely lunch, a croissant, with homemade strawberry jam, and a cappuccino. Something i used to get all the time for breakfast when I lived in San Francisco both the croissant and the cappuccino here are just to die for. I loved every minute of it.
Onion Soup, topped with croutons and melted Swiss cheese. My dad and used to have a contest in San Francisco and throughout Paris to find the best onion soup. We found one that we really liked at Le Petit Cochon in Paris and the other one was Perry’s on Union Street in San Francisco, but I have to say the Normandie Bakery gave both a run for their money. The soup is very mellow and rich at the same time. it doesn’t have a big onion salty flavor, it’s subtle goodness. I would want to order this every time, it’s just that good. Too bad that my lovely father Philip could not have experienced this soup and the fantastic hospitality of Josette.
Escargot, with garlic, butter, parsley. Oh, my goodness, I really thought I was back in Paris, so authentic.
Niçoise Salad, with tuna, eggs, tomatoes, greens, and onion. this salad rocked my world, and the dressing is Josette’s house made vinaigrette, what a treat.
Merguez Plate, with beef and lamb sausage served with French fries. This is Josette’s favorite, and I can see why. These are made in house and have the perfect marriage of a beef and lamb combination. The fries are truly delightful, another great menu item.
Lasagna, delicious lasagna topped with homemade Provençal sauce. They serve you a nice size portion with rich meaty goodness, and the noodles still held up, it’s a great delicious dish.
Dessert:
Tarte Tatin, this is filled with luscious apples and very sweet, just anything they do at Normandie bakery is going to be awesome. There was a lady that picked up a full large tart for a party, and she was just happy to be sharing it with her guests. She and Josette talked about their great friendship while she waited for the tarte. I feel like everyone who comes in is going to form a bond with Josette.
Fruit Tart, this would be my go-to dessert item, the fruit manages to still be fresh even though it is glazed over with sugar. The crust is stupendous, and the crème is just luscious, a must have.
Crème Brule, the top is hard and will crack, but underneath is a rich silky, perfect custard that is out of this world, wow!
Chef Victor Gonzalez is the excellent executive pastry chef since 1994. My great server Mary Martinez was with Toast before Josette took it over, she is a 23-year seasoned employee.
Josette has a long-standing business relationship with Michelle Richard, selling her famous baguettes to this well-established restaurant and many others in the great Los Angeles area. She says she sells more then 2000 baguettes a day. Their croissants are just the best as well, the oven that makes their lovely croissants is called a Eurofour from France.
Josette came to America and did not speak English. She worked at the Queen Mary; it took her 2 years to learn English and she did it just by being around English-speaking people. Photos and TV shows of Josette are everywhere. Josette’s says, “When you give you get”. Josette is multi-faceted, besides her cooking shows on Youtube she also judge’s beauty pageants. She is a modern-day French version of Martha Stewart but with a lot more pizazz. Born in Paris, raised Normandie, she is the real deal. She is 74 years young and has so much energy, I really think that no one can keep up with her!
Normandie Bakery
3rd Street Location (Formerly Toast Bakery)
8221 W. 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA. 90048
Hours: Mon – Sun 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
