Gaby’s Gourmandise celebrates grand opening

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Chef Jean-Gabriel “Gaby” Ferrandon started the business in the market’s incubator kitchen in August 2020. Courtesy Gaby's Gourmandise

A French patisserie celebrated its grand opening inside the Grand Rapids Downtown Market.

Gaby’s Gourmandise hosted a grand opening Friday. The eatery’s menu includes sandwiches, soups, stews, boxed lunches, and sweet and savory pastries.

Chef Jean-Gabriel “Gaby” Ferrandon started the business in the market’s incubator kitchen in August 2020 and soft-opened the pastry shop in the former Sweetie-licious Bake Shoppe market stall front and center at the market’s main entrance in May.

Since the soft opening, Ferrandon and his employees have been working on their menu of pastries, cakes, quiches and lunch options. Included in the new offerings are two tartines, or traditional French-topped toasts. Gaby’s first option is layered with béchamel sauce, caramelized onions, slow-roasted local bacon and a melted blend of cheeses. The vegetarian tartine is topped with roasted yams and zucchini with a cream sauce steeped in herbs and garlic.

“Traditionally, tartines are a street food in France meant to be eaten while strolling around,” Ferrandon said. “They can be topped simply with jam or with savory and hearty ingredients like the selections on our menu. Along with creating unique dishes, it’s also important that I source local ingredients for the tartines and everything we make. From Field & Fire bread to fruits and veggies from nearby farms, I’m always looking to incorporate ingredients made and grown in West Michigan.”

Other new menu items include a jambon-beurre sandwich prepared with rosemary-roasted ham and homemade butter, a vegan ratatouille open-faced sandwich, rotating soups and salads, and a fraisier using organic strawberries and vanilla mousseline cream. Boxed lunches also will be available with multiple combination options of sandwiches, quiches, savory tartes and side salad pairings.

“It’s been wonderful to see the menu that Chef Gaby and his team have developed since opening in the market hall,” said Mimi Fritz, president and CEO of the Downtown Market. “The moment you step up to their counter and see the abundance of thoughtfully prepared fare, you can instantly recognize that Gaby and his staff are passionate about creating a special and delicious experience for our guests.”

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