The breakfast, brunch and lunch hot spot on St. Paul’s charming Cathedral Hill has classics like quiche Lorraine. But those looking for adventure can also find it here with untraditional menu items such as coffee cake muffins and coconut lime French toast.

Scallops and bouillabaise are some of the menu offerings from Tria in North Oaks.

Menu offerings from Tria in North Oaks. (Tria Restaurant/Provided)

The North Oaks restaurant on the former farm of railroad magnate James J. Hill features French-American cuisine in honor of the owner’s French-Canadian roots. Escargot represents the French classics, and American fare with a European spin — a croque madame burger and a walleye dish in a French beurre noisette brown butter sauce among them — emphasizes seasonal ingredients.

A "Great Chefs" profile of Patisserie 46 chef/owner John Kraus. The bakery restaurant is on the corner of 46th and Grand in South Minneapolis _ John Kraus helps the staff fill the display case about 5:30 Staurday Morning.[ TOM WALLACE � twallace@startribune.com _ Assignments #20026490A_ Dec 1, 2012_ SLUG: chef1213_ EXTRA INFORMATION: Signature sweet, from the Minneapolis, French bakery, Patisserie 46, The staff; Owner/artisian baker, John Kraus, Wife, Dawn Kraus, Jason Curry, Ashley Johnson, Mar

Pastry chef/owner John Kraus fills the display case at Pâtisserie 46 in Minneapolis. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Of course, we can’t talk about favorite French foods without mentioning airy, crisp baguettes and artful, decadent desserts. The Twin Cities has its fair share of places specializing in these culinary art forms, including award-winning pastry chefs at Pâtisserie 46, Rose Street Pâtisserie and Marc Heu Pâtisserie Paris. Here’s a sampling of pâtisseries, bakeries and dessert places:

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