South Lake Tahoe is getting a taste of Europe.
La Baguette opened this week at 2108 Lake Tahoe Blvd., the former site of Don’s Bakery.
La Baguette will serve caterers, restaurants and walk-up customers.
“In Europe, dining is a social experience,” said Gerald Palomares, who owns the bakery with his wife, Ann. “They like to take the time to enjoy the food.”
The bakery will make 25 different types of bread each day, and there will be a German continental breakfast and a variety of Italian meats, said Palomares, who also is authentic: He’s from Grenoble, France.
“In France we eat bread with every meal,” Palomares said. “We will prepare bread every day, and we don’t keep bread more than a day.”
Palomares recruited Pascal Baudrey, who has 35 years of experience in Switzerland, to move to Tahoe to handle the baking and pastry duties. He will handle the pastries and breads, while longtime chef Palomares will take care of the savory items. Ann Palomares is in charge of wedding cakes and communications. La Baguette is on the lookout for an additional pastry chef.
The Palomareses moved to South Shore from Spain six years ago in order to help their children master English. They formerly owned Dixon’s on Emerald Bay Road.
“I’ve been looking for something in the food industry for the last three years,” he said.
A feng shui remodel, which included and electric and plumbing overhaul, took two and a half months.
There is a river-rock entry and a large-stone slate floor, along with a log cabin interior siding and knotty pine ceiling. The addition of an exterior deck means diners will be able to enjoy food, conversation and the latest edition of Lake Tahoe Action.
Antiques adorn the shelves, and there will bee much more, along with historic photographic images of Tahoe, Palomares said. “It will be very traditional, very Tahoe,” he said, adding that he is seeking a pair of antique skis.
The continental German bar opens at 7 a.m. with fresh fruit, croissants, and cinnamon and raisin rolls. The staff will convert the bar for homemade soup-and-salad lunches.
“People who know me know I like to work from scratch,” Palomares said. “I don’t use powder.”
The deli includes a variety of quiches, pizzas, salted and unsalted crepes — and even chicken pot pie. An espresso bar offers a number of coffee drinks, mochas, teas, lattes and fruit smoothies.
Now that Oscar Palomares has mastered English and earned his South Tahoe High School diploma, he will learn the bakery business for two years before heading off to college. He is one of eight La Baguette employees, but expect that figure to increase.
“The hiring sign will be on,” Gerald Palomares said.
La Baguette is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. The phone number is (530) 600-0300.