Michele Coulon Dessertier   

The sign says "Dessertier," but don't be misled -- this sweet bistro also serves breakfast and lunch al la Francais. Petit dejeuner eases patrons into the day with muffins, croissants, bracing cups of French roast coffee and Belgian hot chocolate, followed by lunches of cassoulet, quiches and crispy-crunchy endive salads. Soups du jour are made daily with seasonal veggies from Chino's, and pate -- real Muscovy duck pate redolent of green peppercorns and shallots -- is always available. And we haven't even mentioned the word "dessert" yet. Michele Coulon's sweet little establishment in the heart of La Jolla carries on the tradition of the now-defunct but fondly remembered Belgian Lion; she's a scion of the family that ran that much-missed eatery. Coulon's Dessertier continues the tradition of classic French food and incredible desserts: gateaus layered with buttercream and berries, the iconic Lemadamia Tarte (a macadamia/citrus wonder), cookies with the perfect amount of crumble, classic bombes and American-style fruit pies. Handmade truffles, fresh sorbets and craftily sized mini-cakes that make it impossible to say no. A pleasant place to linger over a good meal, Michele Coulon's also does brisk takeout business. Her cakes and cookies, while requiring a certain financial investment, guarantee a successfully sweet end to dinner parties and baby showers; brides-to-be order months in advance to guarantee the perfect cake for their big day.