La Gourmandine's new Downtown location, now open for business.

Pastry lovers, take note: The popular French bakery La Gourmandine opened its fourth location yesterday, this one Downtown at 308 Forbes Avenue.

“We opened the first in Lawrenceville because it was up and coming. Then in Mt. Lebanon because we were from that area,” says co-owner Lisanne Moreau. After opening their third location in Hazelwood, where all the baking is done, she and her husband Fabien “realized we were able to produce much more.”

Interior of the newest La Gourmandine location, Downtown on Forbes Avenue. Photo by TH Carlisle.

So at their new 15-seat location across from PNC Tower, La Gourmandine will offer the same range of croissants, pastries, bread and baked goods their fans have come to love, running the gamut from savory to perfectly sweet.

That includes a selection of French baguette sandwiches such as butter, ham and swiss cheese, as well as quiche, brie tarts and focaccia topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese, fresh basil and tomato sauce.

This outpost will also feature Fortunes coffee from McKees Rocks, but unlike other locations, they will also serve up specialty coffees such as cappuccinos and lattes.

The response from the Downtown crowd has been enthusiastic, no surprise. The line was long at lunchtime yesterday and many of the customers were those who already frequent the bakery’s other locations.

“We’re seeing a lot of familiar faces,” Moreau says with a laugh.

Kidsburgh Editor Melissa Rayworth specializes in stories about culture, gender, design and parenting. She has written for a variety of outlets in the U.S. and Asia, and is a frequent contributor to The Associated Press. Find a selection of her work at melissarayworth.pressfolios.com.