Food & Drink: C’est la Vie like a charming trip to France

This space houses C’est La Vie French Café & Crêperie, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once a month, there is a Soirée Dinner Party. There is a well-stocked store on-site packed with local goodies such as Silagy Sauce, Kember’s gluten-free mixes, Oliver’s Bloody Mary Mix and Oregon Growers jam. There are also C’est La Vie goods such as granola, compound butters, buttermilk rosemary dressing, sweet pickles and a well-curated collection of wine.

Soirée Dinner Party happens once a month. Six courses (each paired with wine) are served at a long communal table built by Buhman’s husband, Justin (a general contractor who built this friendly space). Past dinners included an homage to Julia Child featuring classics such as potato leek soup (vichyssoise) and coq au vin.

On a recent morning visit, I was seated across from regulars Bob and Alice Chase at the communal table. They have tried most of the menu items and assured me that everything was good. I indulged in a mimosa flight (it was mimosa Monday) and a pistou tartine. The salad of the day included peaches, heirloom tomatoes, housemade ricotta, quinoa and candied pecans on a bed of mesclun with vinaigrette.

There were 12 different types of mimosas on the menu. I’m indecisive so I got a flight of three flavors — blood orange (citrus-y), St. Germain (a bit of elderflower) and Fleur (sweet, floral hibiscus).

The pistou sandwich starts with a fresh rustic baguette from Grand Central Bakery in Portland. Herby and nutty French pesto (pistou) is slathered on the bread then topped with melted mozzarella. Tomatoes and briny Kalamata olives are nestled in the cheese. The sandwich came with a mesclun salad drizzled in a delectable housemade buttermilk rosemary dressing.

The salad of the day was the perfect showcase for gorgeous heirloom tomatoes, fresh peaches and creamy ricotta.

Buhman shops for fresh produce every day. She told me, “I like to get my hands on the produce.” And, that (along with housemade ricotta) made this salad extraordinary.

Buhman’s attention to detail, along with her passion for French-inspired fare, combined with friendly service in a bright, comfortable setting, are why I return again and again to this charming cafe in Hazel Dell.