Jean Paul

It's a red letter day. Jean Paul said hello to me when I went to buy pastries this morning. That means I am really beginning to rate as a customer.

"Jean Paul's Goodies" is an ironically named shop in Laguna Beach, operated by the crusty Jean Paul. He has wonderful croissants, quiches, brioche and has a fun selection of cheeses and current French magazines. But whenever I walk in the door I'm not sure if I'll leave with what I want.

I heard a story about a woman going to buy ten croissants in the morning and being asked why she wanted them. When she replied she was going to make them into chicken salad sandwiches, Jean Paul refused to sell them to her.

One time my husband went in midway through a long bike ride and pointed to a knish in the display case. Jean Paul said, "That's not for you." When my husband paused, puzzled, Jean Paul added, "It's for someone else." But he didn't remove the item from the under the glass.

If you order coffee using anything other than a one word request ("coffee," "espresso" or "cappuccino") you will be told this is not Starbucks and he will point across the parking lot to the friendly green logo.

One time I went with my son and I wanted a second cup of coffee after we'd been sitting outside reading for a while. My son went inside to get a magazine and the coffee for me. Jean Paul reluctantly made the coffee, but only after commenting, "She wants another one?"

But today I emerged triumphant with a bag full of items to make everyone at home happy. And all for $11.