The French Gourmet lives another day

With the amount of restaurant turnover we see in our beach town, it’s common to grieve old neighborhood eateries. North PB is still reeling from the loss of The French Gourmet earlier this year. So imagine my surprise when, over the weekend, I drove past the beloved restaurant and saw the doors wide open with banners out front. 

There’s no recent news coverage about the restaurant or the Turquoise Tower that’s in line to replace it. Nothing on social media either. So I called the restaurant to get the dish. 

The employee I spoke with said the restaurant and catering did close in early January, but the bakery remains open. That’s why there’s signage out front. They are still currently operating under the same owner, Michel Malécot, but can’t guarantee how much longer the bakery will be around. It all depends on when the building gets demolished, and that could be as quickly as the next one to two months. 

This is bittersweet news for fans of French Gourmet pastries. While the bakery is working on borrowed time to keep offering delicious eclairs and croissants, the end is imminent. 

Maybe stop by this weekend to pick up your favorites while you still can.