New French café brings Paris vibes to Pioneer Square
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The croissants at Mirabelle by Orphée use butter and flour imported from France. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios
Pioneer Square has a new spot for French pastries, sandwiches and more.
What's happening: Mirabelle by Orphée opened March 20 near the corner of 1st Avenue and Yesler, serving up croissants, pain au chocolat, croque monsieur, and what might be the best quiche I've ever had.
Zoom in: Paris-born owner Orphée Fouano is a trained French baker, which shows in the cafe's airy croissants, which have that special French quality of feeling decadent but also ethereally light.
Yes, but: I came back two days in a row for the leek and goat cheese quiche, which has a tender crust and custard texture that melts in your mouth.
- It's accompanied by a lightly dressed salad with blistered cherry tomatoes.
The vibe: The motto of the place — which is posted on the wall — is "live, drink and celebrate like in Paris."
- It's easy to feel transported while sitting at the counter by the window, looking out over the pedestrian plaza that gives the Pioneer Square neighborhood its name.
If you go: They also sell imported French products like jams, tea and pâté.
Stop by: 616 1st Avenue.
- Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays). Opens at 8am.
Between the lines: Staff said the kitchen closes by roughly 2:30pm; during my last visit, the pastries were mostly gone by then, too.
