On a sunny spring day at Zazie under the heat lamps, life suddenly becomes like a wonderful day in the South of France. Van Gogh and Cezanne seem to be having French Toast nearby, and things are quaint and lovely. The big saucer bowl cups for milky lattes are a nice touch. Fresh baked rolls with raspberry jam and butter are brought to the table. The brunch menu offers Provencal and Yankee favorites together. Baking from scratch is a common theme with tartines and bagels topped with flavors like goat cheese, red peppers, salmon and capers. My eyebrow was raised by the French Toast Tahiti, which is made of fluffy challah stuffed with caramelized bananas and walnuts. Poached eggs come in ones, twos or threes with romantic names like Pierre Noir (bacon and tomatoes provencales), La Mer (Dungeness crab, green onions, avocados), Monaco (prosciutto) and San Trop (smoked salmon). 
I chose one of my all time favorites, the Ahi Salade Nicoise. It was certainly like sitting on a deck chair overlooking the Mediterranean with fresh seared ahi tuna, crisply blanched green beans, tomato, hard boiled egg, roasted peppers and (my personal favorite) salty boquerones anchovies. My compatriot’s roasted white trout was light and topped with nicoise olives, roasted peppers, and goat cheese. As Edith Piaf would sing, Je ne regrette rien, I regret nothing. As is the beauty of Provencal French cuisine, there is so much flavor and richness while still being fresh and light. Zazie’s menu is absolutely worth the wait.
