Scrumptious French cuisine is a longtime family tradition for Laetitia Ngo.
With more than 20 years of family restaurant experience behind it, Café Paris in Metuchen has become a favorite destination for regulars, tourists, and newcomers alike for fresh, homemade, authentic French cuisine.
In 2001, the family opened its first location at 106 Walnut Ave. in Cranford, followed with a second location in 2004 at 439 Main St. in Metuchen — both have become favorite destinations for those seeking delicious French food.
But the tradition started years before with Ngo’s mother, Marie-Therese Pham, an accomplished chef who loves to prepare authentic French recipes at both locations.
Ngo, who is not a chef, took over operating the Metuchen locale in 2010, and her mom remains in Cranford — keeping everything in the family.
“The philosophy behind the restaurant comes from my grandmother, who owned a beloved restaurant in Paris that was known for her delectable fare, using fresh, healthy ingredients, and my mother wanted to keep it in the family,” Ngo explains.
“In Paris, most of the coffee shops have familiar foods, and people come in for a hearty dinner of Beef Bourguignon and finish with a slice of cake or a sweet dessert crepe with fresh strawberries and Nutella,” she said. “We offer a romantic and cozy atmosphere, where you will feel like you are dining in France.”
The décor makes diners feel like they have crossed the pond. The walls of the restaurant are hand-painted to portray a French street. “So not only do you get to enjoy a delicious, healthy, French meal, but you also get to appreciate the beauty of France depicted in the artwork,” Ngo said
Why was Metuchen a great location for the second shop? “It is the perfect spot because it reminds us of a little town in France,” she says.
“Metuchen Borough is a nice community [where] everyone knows everyone. We have small shops, a train and bus station, and a little church; it all reminds us of France.”
Diners come for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and catering. The commitment to using local-sourced ingredients makes Café Paris a special and sought-after restaurant.
Café Paris is proud to be known as one of the best restaurants in Middlesex County.
The diverse menu begins with a homemade butter croissant served either plain or with Nutella, strawberry or orange jam, for breakfast or lunch, a variety of mouth-watering omelets, pancakes, and French toast.
Other breakfast and brunch items include savory buckwheat crepes known as galettes, kids’ offerings, vegetarian selections, and gluten-free options.
The extensive menu also includes homemade French onion, pea, butternut squash, and asparagus crab soups; a variety of mouth-watering French salads and sandwiches,
There are also several types of quiche, including Quiche Lorraine with bacon, fresh mozzarella cheese, and onions; quiche with broccoli and fresh mozzarella and onions; and Quiche A L’Epinard, with spinach, goat cheese, and onions.
Appetizers include a lovely French cheese plate with prosciutto, fresh fruit, a homemade roll, and an assortment of cheeses; a smoked salmon and cheese plate, coconut shrimp with a sweet sauce, vegetarian egg rolls, and beignets de crevettes.
When it comes to dinner entrees, Café Paris offers traditional French dishes including Beef Bourguignon; Ngo’s favorite, Coco Van, (a traditional French chicken stew cooked in wine and served with homemade mashed potatoes); Veal Campagnol; as well as duck, lamb and salmon entrees.
For the final compliment to the meal – dessert — diners look forward to chocolate mousse; sweet crepes filled with fresh fruit; and an assortment of other desserts, including cakes, pies, brownies, and ice cream.
There are festive specialty drinks, and other items for the fall season, such as a winter cassoulet, Ngo said.
The café has been around for so many years, that multi-generations come for everyday treats, meals, and special occasions. Catering is also available, and the restaurant will work with customers to tailor-make the menu.
Ngo said that she plans to keep the business going, and hopefully pass it on to her children, who are still young – a one-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son.
“Keeping it going for the next generation would be amazing,” she exclaimed.
Ngo enjoys experiencing the food and culture of France firsthand. Her most recent trip with her mother and son to Paris was during Thanksgiving 2023.
“It was so gorgeous and the weather was a little on the cooler side,” Ngo remembers. “My entire family speaks French, and we had such a lovely time there cooking and eating with family.”
Although it is extremely hard work and a constant learning experience to figure out the best ways to deal with people, Ngo loves the close-knit atmosphere of Café Paris and the people who have become close friends.
“We have regular customers who have become like a huge family,” Ngo said. “The environment and connections are what makes it so valuable to us.
“I love being in a business where I can be creative. There are so many ideas to brainstorm. I have met so many good, caring people over the years.”
