Dish of the Week: Bacon, fig and brie tartine at Amélie’s
It's important to remember that sophistication and sky-high prices do not necessarily have a causal relationship. Case in point: the bacon, fig and brie tartine, which costs just $6.19 at Amélie's, a French bakery and cafe at the intersection of Northside Drive and Marietta Street.
Many Atlanta diners likely would not be surprised to see a similar dish cost more than $10 at any number of trendy restaurants around town. But, why? A tartine might sound more expensive than toast, but what else would a French cafe call it? None of the components is particularly expensive — sturdy toasted baguette, gooey brie and crispy bacon — so, why charge customers more than is needed?
As one might expect, the combination of solidly executed food, good coffee and fair prices at Amélie's results in a restaurant that is as busy as the industrial intersection beyond its large windows. Fun decorations, comfortable seating and plentiful parking help as well.
Sitting down to work for a few hours in a cafe, enjoying a large cafe au lait and a tasty tartine with classic French flavors, feels like a treat, and it's nice not having to pay $10 to use the restaurant's wifi. It makes you reflect on the fact that nice things don't have to be expensive. Think of it this way: It costs nothing to cut your toast in half, but doesn't it seem so much better cut on the diagonal? Real sophistication comes from the extra effort to make something better, not from the price tag attached to it.
Amélie's. 840 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta. 404-921-0276, ameliesfrenchbakery.com/atlanta.
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