Our friend Heather, author of Dr. Hbar, raves about Marche Artisan Foods.   I regret that we were unable to visit the quaint bistro with Heather before she moved to the Midwest.  We recently had a chance to visit Marche on a Sunday for brunch.  During our 30 minute wait, we enjoyed an iced cafe au lait and people watching.  There is a very eclectic crowd (from hipsters to…  well, people like us…  that wouldn’t know trendy if it hit us in the face) that enjoys Marche.

Marche’s menu varies with the season.  Our waitress told us this was the last day for the peaches and ricotta on whole wheat bread with honey.  With that little bit of peer pressure, we caved and tried it.  The peaches were fresh, the ricotta was creamy and the honey accented both very well.

The steak and eggs came with roast potatoes and a tangy gremolata that seemed to have a touch of mint.  The steak was very tender and paired well with the roast potatoes, both of which were useful in sopping up the bits of egg and creamy yolk.  Overall a great way to start the day!

The omelet was stuffed with portobello mushrooms, Gruyere cheese and bacon.  The eggs were fluffier than in most European omelets, which I tend to prefer.  The salad that accompanied it was fresh and delicious, topped with a light oil and vinegar dressing.

Heather told us we absolutely must try Marche’s desserts, not that she had to twist our arm.  The Panna Cotta was creamy and sweet, but also with the light addition of vanilla. The strawberries you can see on top were juicy and added a nice bit of texture to the overall dish.

The peaches were so delicious, I couldn’t resist the peach crumb pie.  The texture was surprisingly smooth and the flavor was wonderful.

After hearing such good things about Marche, I can honestly say that it lived up to the hype!