Just Ask Restaurant of the Month for November - Le Pain Quotidien

The “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month winner for November is Le Pain Quotidien, Kildare Village, Co Kildare

The brainchild of Belgian chef and baker Alain Coumont, Le Pain Quotidien - ‘the daily bread’ - has brought his philosophy of seasonal, organic and local to enthusiastic diners around the world, including the Irish fans who now enjoy their organic breads and wholesome fare around communal tables in Kildare Village.

It’s taken some 25 years for LPQ to reach Irish shores. Its beginnings go back to 1990, when Alain Coumont was unable to find the right bread to serve in his Brussels restaurant. His decision to begin baking it himself has since resulted in more than 200 cafés worldwide serving the signature rustic loaves, and one of the latest is this eye-catching blue-and-white painted café in Kildare Village which has been packing ‘em in since it opened last year.

There’s an atmospheric shop with dark wooden furniture and tiled walls and floors, where you can buy any of the breads - wheat loaves, baguettes, walnut bread and rye loaves to name just a few - along with a host of pastries, cookies and preserves prepared in the kitchens.

Organic production is central to the ethos, and organic is the most-used word on a menu that offers everything for all dietary requirements, from eggs every which way to gluten-free soup, unusual salads and a range of hot dishes. Desserts include tarte aux pommes de grand-mère, inspired by Coumont’s grandmother, and there’s buckets of charm in the hot drinks department, with Belgian-style hot chocolate and organic teas and coffees all served in the cute LPQ Belgian 'hand-warmer' bowl.

Based on organic stone-ground flour and the natural sourdough starter ‘levain’, the robust organic breads of Alain Coumont’s youth feature strongly, of course - and the signature dish is ‘tartines’, the continental take on open sandwiches. 

In Kildare, the LPQ organic sourdough bread is baked freshly every day by Thibault Peigne of the excellent Co Dublin bakery Tartine, and they also offer a range of gluten free options from Foods of Athenry in Co Galway, including scones and soda bread crackers.

While the business is now an international phenomenon, its USPs are not only organic but also local and seasonal. You will find some of the same dishes in any of the cafés worldwide, but local dishes are included on menus too.

At this time of year in Kildare that could mean Irish Chicken & Leek Pie, for example, and Organic Beef & Irish Stout Stew with champ - and many of the ingredients are carefully sourced from local producers which include Flahavan’s Organic Porridge Oats; milk from Organic 4 Us; eggs from Ireland’s largest organic egg producer, Connolly’s of Co Monaghan; and Brady Family Ham, produced nearby in Timahoe, Co Kildare.

Fingal Ferguson’s renowned Gubbeen charcuterie from West Cork also features and, very unusually for any Irish restaurant, the cooked chicken is all 100% Irish and produced to a bespoke recipe by Shannon Vale in Co. Cork. Great Irish cheeses include Hegartys Cheddar, Cashel Blue and Macroom Mozarella among others and, while the fresh produce comes from Keelings Farm Fresh, Co Dublin, local organic fruits also star in the famous Featherbed Farm ice creams from Co. Wexford.

The same philosophy applies to the drinks menu, which includes several highly regarded Irish craft beers and ciders including Trouble Brewing beer from nearby Kill, Co Kildare, and Craigies Cider from neighbouring County Wicklow, as well as Fior Uisce mineral water and a short wine list, all organic.

Baking classes are offered too - and fans who want to reproduce some of their favourite dishes at home will find everything they need in the irresistible Le Pain Quotidien Cookbook.

SAMPLE MENU: LPQ Kildare Village

Seasonal Specials

ORGANIC BREADS & PASTRIES

ORGANIC BAKER’S BASKET 8.95
a selection of our organic breads to share, with organic jams and traditional Belgian organic spreads

SERVING OF ORGANIC BREAD 2.95
baguette, wheat, rye, spelt, multi-grain or raisin, with organic jams and organic spreads

FAMILY ORGANIC PASTRY BASKET 14.95
a selection of our organic pastries to share with organic jams

MADELEINE BASKET 4.95
freshly baked in house

WARM BELGIAN WAFFLE 5.95
served with warm chocolate sauce

FRESHLY BAKED SCONE 4.50
with organic jam and fresh whipped cream

GLUTEN FREE SEEDED SCONE 5.95
with organic strawberry rhubarb jam and ricotta

ORGANIC MILK ‘N BROKEN COOKIES 5.95
our organic chocolate chip cookie with a glass of organic milk of your choice. Great for little or big kids

ORGANIC MUFFIN 3.60
ask your server for flavours

ORGANIC HAZELNUT FLÛTE 3.45

ORGANIC BUTTER BRIOCHE BUN 3.25

ORGANIC PAIN AU CHOCOLAT 3.35

ORGANIC ALMOND CROISSANT 3.45

ORGANIC CROISSANT 3.25

ORGANIC RAISIN DANISH 3.45

ORGANIC MANHATTAN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE 3.45

 

BREAKFAST & BRUNCH

PETIT DÉJEUNER 8.95
choice of croissant or pain au chocolat with an assortment of our organic breads, orange juice or apple juice and a regular hot beverage

SIDE OF AVOCADO 2.50

SIDE OF AGED GRUYERE 5.50

SIDE OF SERRANO HAM 6.45

SIDE OF IRISH SMOKED SALMON 6.95

SIDE OF IRISH HAM 6.95

HOT ORGANIC CROISSANT 4.50
filled with Aged Gruyère

HOT ORGANIC CROISSANT 4.75
filled with Irish Ham

HOT ORGANIC CROISSANT 4.95
filled with Aged Gruyère & Irish Ham add tomato – it’s on us!

FLAVAHAN’S ORGANIC PORRIDGE 5.50
choose from: honey • honey and banana • omega boost • stewed fruit vegan option available

MUSHROOM TOAST 8.95
field, chestnut, porcini, crème fraiche, chives, Dijon mustard, toasted organic brioche
vegan option available

FRESH FRUIT SALAD 4.95 | 5.95

CUP OF FRESH BERRIES 7.25

BOWL OF ORGANIC COCONUT GRANOLA 5.75
our gluten free organic granola made with coconut sugar choose from: honey, banana & honey, stewed fruit
vegan option available

ORGANIC GLUTEN FREE GRANOLA PARFAIT 5.95
organic Irish yogurt & fresh fruits

POWER MATCHA & CHIA YOGURT 5.45
vegan option available

ORGANIC CRUNOLA & RASPBERRY PARFAIT 6.25
with banana & organic cashew nut butter

ORGANIC EGGS
all eggs served with our organic wholewheat sourdough

ORGANIC SOFT-BOILED EGG 3.45

2 ORGANIC SOFT-BOILED EGGS 6.95

ORGANIC SCRAMBLED EGGS 8.25

ORGANIC SCRAMBLED EGGS 8.45
with grilled mushrooms

ORGANIC SCRAMBLED EGGS 8.75
with crispy Serrano

ORGANIC SCRAMBLED EGGS 9.45
with Irish smoked salmon

BAKED EGGS WITH CHORIZO 7.45
organic eggs with chorizo and toasted organic sourdough

BAKED EGGS WITH SALMON 8.25
organic eggs with salmon, dill and lemon and toasted organic rye bread
all our organic whole eggs are from Connolly's, Co. Monaghan

SOUPS
Our seasonal soups are organic and made with gluten-free ingredients. Ask your server for the soup of the day.

ORGANIC SOUP 6.95
served with bread

SEASONAL ORGANIC SOUP 10.95
with 1⁄2 Tartine of your choice

TARTINES

AVOCADO TOAST 9.75
mashed avocado, super seeds, citrus cumin salt, lemon juice and olive oil

IRISH CHICKEN “CLUB”11.45
with roasted chorizo crisps, organic Irish egg and smoky aioli

IRISH CHICKEN, FETA & AVOCADO 11.20
tomato, pumpkin seeds, harissa oil & coriander

AVOCADO OMEGA BOOST 9.95
rich in Omega-3, with white beans, lemon hummus, toasted seeds

IRISH SMOKED SALMON 11.75
with spring onions and dill

SERRANO HAM & MACROOM BUFFALO MOZZARELLA 11.95
sundried tomatoes and basil oil

TOASTED TARTINES
served with a mixed leaf salad

IRISH CHICKEN 13.95
Macroom Buffalo Mozzarella & Harissa Aioli

ROASTED VEGETABLES 13.75
Ardsallagh Goats Cheese, Beetroot Hummus & Basil oil

SALADS

IRISH CHICKEN COBB 14.45
mixed leaves, crispy Serrano ham, organic Irish eggs, Cashel Irish blue, tomatoes and mustard vinaigrette

ORGANIC LENTIL & AVOCADO 12.45
freshly shaved fennel, raw slaw, organic chickpeas and basil vinaigrette

TUNA NIÇOISE 13.95
mixed leaves, organic Irish egg, olives, cucumber, radish, basil and mustard vinaigrette

ROASTED VEGETABLE & ARDSALLAGH GOAT'S CHEESE 13.95
mixed leaves, basil oil

IRISH SMOKED SALMON & BEETROOT CAVIAR 14.95
wild rocket and farmhouse dressing

DETOX 11.95
organic quinoa taboulé, raw vegetables, avocado and Irish rapeseed oil
Add Avocado 2.50 • Chicken 2.95 • Irish Smoked Salmon 3.45 • Omega-Boosting Seeds 1.00

HOT DISHES

HAM & CHEDDAR TARTLET 10.50
with a mixed leaf salad

BUTTERNUT SQUASH TARTLET 10.50
Red Onion & Cashel Irish Blue with a mixed leaf salad

CHORIZO & POTATO FRITTATA 9.75
made with organic eggs and served with a seasonal mixed leaf and our organic bread

IRISH SMOKED SALMON & PARMESAN FRITTATA 10.45
made with organic eggs and served with a seasonal mixed leaf and our organic bread

CHICKEN & LEEK PIE 14.50
individual shortcrust pie filled with chicken in a creamy leek sauce served with roasted potatoes, carrots and French beans

CHILLI SIN CARNE 13.75
vegan bean chilli with fresh guacamole, soya sour cream, diced tomatoes and spring onions

QUINOA CAKE 14.95
crispy quinoa cake, roasted carrot hummus, beetroot caviar, avocado, rocket, lemon and olive oil

CHICKEN CAESAR BRIOCHE BUN 13.50
Irish chicken, Parmesan, aioli and home pickled red onion served in an organic brioche bun with a seasonal slaw

COQ AU VIN 16.75
French trimmed chicken leg in a red wine, mushroom and onion sauce, served with a creamy mash

ORGANIC BEEF & IRISH STOUT STEW 16.95
served with creamy champ

ASSIETTES
Perfect to share and pair with our organic wines
served with gluten-free soda bread crackers

CHARCUTERIE 22.00
a selection of continental and Irish charcuterie from artisan producers

FROMAGE 22.00
a selection of continental and Irish cheeses from artisan producers

MIXTE 22.00
a selection of continental and Irish charcuterie and cheeses from artisan producers

HUMMUS MENAGE À TROIS 13.95
sweet potato, beetroot and chickpea hummus, with vegetable crudités

SIDES

ROCKET & PARMESAN SIDE SALAD 4.95
SEASONAL SALAD BOWL 4.75
MIXED OLIVES 3.95
BEETROOT HUMMUS 4.75
ROASTED VEGETABLES 4.75
SWEET POTATO HUMMUS 4.75
ORGANIC HUMMUS 4.75
GUACAMOLE 4.75
AVOCADO 2.50
AGED GRUYÈRE 5.50
MASHED POTATO 3.95
ROASTED BABY POTATOES 3.95
IRISH SMOKED SALMON 6.95
SERRANO HAM 6.45
IRISH HAM 6.95
CHAMP 3.95

DESSERTS
All of our desserts are made fresh daily by our team of dedicated pastry chefs, using the finest organic ingredients wherever possible.

TARTE AUX POMME DE GRAND-MÈRE 5.95
Grandma’s Apple Pie
organic apple pie inspired by our founder’s grandmother’s recipe

ORANGE POLENTA CAKE 5.95
warm orange polenta sponge served with seasonal fruit compote and orange and honey sauce

ORGANIC MUFFINS 3.60

WARM BELGIAN WAFFLE 5.95
served with warm chocolate sauce

GLUTEN FREE SEEDED SCONE 5.95
with organic strawberry rhubarb jam and ricotta

FRESHLY BAKED SCONE 4.50
with organic jam and fresh whipped cream

CHEESECAKE 5.95

PAVLOVA 5.95
made with organic eggs

TARTE TATIN 5.95
with cream

CHOCOLATE BOMBE SLICE 5.95

CARROT CAKE 5.75

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE BROWNIE 4.95

COCOA & PEAR CAKE SLICE 5.95

ORGANIC CHIA SEED & COCONUT MILK PUDDING 5.75
choose from chocolate or vanilla

ORGANIC MANHATTAN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE 3.45

BANANA & TOFFEE TART 5.75

LEMON TART 5.75

STRAWBERRY TART 5.95

MIXED BERRY TART 5.95

BELGIAN CHOCOLATE TART 5.95

VANILLA ICE CREAM 3.95 | 4.95

STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM 3.95 | 4.95

CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM 3.95 | 4.95

SALTED CARAMEL ICE CREAM 3.95 | 4.95
All of our desserts are made fresh daily by our team of dedicated pastry chefs, using the finest organic ingredients wherever possible.

HOT DRINKS

All our coffee, teas and milk are certified organic.
Served in a signature bowl, our very own Belgian “hand-warmer.”

ESPRESSO 2.10 | 2.45
MACCHIATO 2.30 | 2.60
AMERICANO 2.50 | 2.95
CAPPUCCINO 3.10 | 3.45
FLAT WHITE 3.35
LATTE 3.10 | 3.45
MOCHA 3.30 | 3.75
BELGIAN STYLE HOT CHOCOLATE 3.10 | 3.55
MATCHA LATTE 3.75 | 3.95
organic Japanese green tea;
delicious with almond milk for a vegan alternative
POT OF ORGANIC TEA 2.60
Irish Breakfast • Earl Grey • Jasmine Green Chamomile • Rooibos • Fresh Mint
CINNAMON & APPLE STEEPER 3.30
LEMON, HONEY & GINGER STEEPER 3.30
Add soya or almond milk at no extra cost. Ask your server for our seasonal special drinks.
ORGANIC STEAMED MILK
ORGANIC SPECULOOS STEAMED MILK 3.30
our winter favourite, flavoured with our cinnamon cookie spread – a Belgian classic
ORGANIC NOISELLA STEAMED MILK 3.30
the nutty flavour of hazelnuts meets the richness of organic Belgian chocolate in our grown up version of chocolate milk

COLD DRINKS

FRESH-PRESSED JUICES 3.95
Immune Boost • Pineapple, Melon & Apple • 1-a-Day Green
HOMEMADE LEMONADE 3.50
Traditional • Raspberry
FRESH ORANGE JUICE 2.95 | 3.75
FIOR UISCE MINERAL WATER 2.95 | 5.50
Still • Sparkling
DP CONNOLLY & SONS BOTTLED DRINKS 3.80
Blackcurrant & Apple Juice • Elderflower & Raspberry • Apple

ORGANIC WINE

All of our wines are organic, with minimal added sulphur.? Better for you, better
Sparkling 125ml glass | bottle
White & Red 150ml glass | bottle
for the planet... and better for your head the day after the night before.
PROSECCO FRIZZANTE FASCINO 8.00 | 34.00
Veneto, Italy
FALERIO, SALADINI PILASTRI 6.50 | 28.00
Trebbiano/Passerina/Pecorino, le Marche, Italy
LA CABANE 7.90 | 36.00
Pinot Blanc, Domaine Léon Boesch, Alsace, France
LAM WHITE 8.60 | 39.00
Lammershoek, Chenin Blanc, Swartland, South Africa
LES GRANDES LIGNES 8.75 | 40.00
Riesling, Domaine Léon Boesch, Alsace, France
ROSSO PICENO 6.50 | 28.00
Saladini Pilastri, Sangiovese/Montepulciano, le Marche, Italy
DOMAINE LA ROUVIOLE 7.20 | 33.00
Cuvée Baroque, Cinsault/Grenache/Syrah, Minervois, France
BODEGAS AROA 7.80 | 37.00
Le Naturel, Garnacha/Merlot, Navarra, Spain
DOMAINE NICOLAS GROSBOIS 8.70 | 39.00
La cuisine de ma mère, Cabernet Franc, Chinon, France

IRISH CRAFT BEER & CIDER

THE PORTERHOUSE BREWING COMPANY 5.80
Hersbrucker, Craft Pilsner, (33cl / 5.0%)
THE PORTERHOUSE BREWING COMPANY 5.80
Plain Stout, Craft Stout, (33cl / 5.0%)
TROUBLE BREWING 6.95
Deception Golden Ale, Craft Ale, (50cl / 4.3%)
THE WHITE HAG 5.95
Irish Wit Beer, White Beer, (33cl / 5.0%)
CRAIGIES BALLYHOOK FLYER 7.00
Dry Vintage Craft Cider, 2014 (50cl / 5.8%)
CRAIGIES DALLIANCE 7.25
Sweet Vintage Craft Cider, 2014 (37.5cl / 5.8%)

Local Producers Spotlight

We choose our producers with care, keeping it local wherever possible. It’s important to us that they share the same love, passion and commitment to quality as we do.
By working with the finest Irish producers, we aim to create a sense of community right here at Kildare Village.
We’re all for stocking our kitchens with the best organic and local products.

These are some examples:

Our organic sourdough bread is baked by Thibault of Tartine bakery freshly every day
Our cooked chicken is 100% Irish and produced to our bespoke recipe by Shannon Vale in Co. Cork.
Keeling fruits of County Dublin supply all our fresh produce.
We serve organic eggs from Connolly, Ireland’s largest organic egg producer and packer.
Our porridge is from Flahavans.
Our milk is from Organic 4 U in Donegal.
We have delicious ice cream from Featherbed Farm in Co. Wexford who use local organic fruits in their flavours.
We offer a range of gluten free options from Foods of Athenry including scones and soda bread crackers.
We serve excellent local Irish cheeses, Hegartys cheddar, Cashel Blue and Macroom Mozarella to name a few and Gubbeen charcuterie.
Our drink menu features some great local beers and ciders such as Craigies and Trouble Brewing Ale from Kildare.
Keeping it local is good for our bodies, our communities and our planet!

[carrot symbol indicates where 100% BOTANICAL / VEGAN]

KILDARE VILLAGE
Kildare Village ?Nurney Rd? Kildare Town ?Co. Kildare ?Ireland

T:0035345499190

OPENING HOURS
Mon-Wed: 9.30am - 7pm
Thurs-Fri: 9.30am - 8pm
Sat: 8.30am - 8pm
Sun: 9.30am - 8pm