Situated in the vibrant new Pacific Marketplace in Huntington Beach, Saint Marc Pub-Cafe, Bakery & Cheese Affinage offers nostalgic, American cuisine in a family-friendly environment. From their bizarre Bacon Bar to their unique twist on the traditional peanut butter sandwich, I felt like I was back at home and my mom was in the kitchen cooking for me. No other restaurant offers such “home cooking” options in such a simple, laid-back way.
All things bacon at Saint Marc were my favorite. Do you know of any other restaurant where you can walk up to the Bacon Bar and order strips of bacon in tons of different flavors? You can even grab a few slices to go. It’s fantastic. It’s like walking into my mother’s kitchen at breakfast time and grabbing a few slices from the stove. The Apple Pie Bacon was so delicious that I couldn’t stop eating it. I had to order a few extra slices to take home. The same goes for the Maple Bacon. I mean, I’m a Canadian. Put Maple Bacon in front of me and I’m all set. I’m like a kid on Christmas morning.
So the bacon is a no-brainer for me, but when I heard that they offer a peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich, I almost clapped for the chef. Who comes up with this stuff and why have I never had one before? It was finger-licking good. Packed with gooey goodness, I still can’t figure out how they cooked the marshmallows so perfectly without burning them. It was like magic on a plate.
Like at my mom’s house, dessert isn’t an after thought at Saint Marc. You can eat it any time of day and it’s always acceptable. Does it get any more comforting than apple pie and ice cream? What surprised me at Saint Marc, though, was the cheese baked on the top of the pie. While that’s not a trick my mother uses, I’ve already suggested it to her and expect it the next time I’m home.
My mom is on the other side of the continent and I miss her, and her cooking, dearly. There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not reminded of all the delicious foods and unique creations she made for me growing up. Saint Marc brought me home for the afternoon and filled my stomach with fantastic memories from my childhood.
**Don’t forget to get your parking validated when you’re leaving Saint Marc because you don’t pay to park at home.
