Turkey and Brie Club

Bacon, lettuce, tomato and house-made pear jam on toasted sourdough

Whether you’re looking to impress a new client, celebrate a merger or just work out some details away from the office, The Grande Café is quickly becoming a staple for humble French-American cuisine in the energetic High Street area of downtown Jefferson City.

Head chef and owner Ben Hughman uses simple, fresh, in-house ingredients. “I think the simpler, more authentic the ingredients, the better,” he says. “That’s why the majority of our menu is made in house: our bread, pasta, desserts, all of it. In fact, there is very little that is pre-made.”

With that in mind, Hughman created one of the restaurant’s top lunch sellers, a cold turkey and brie club. “Our customers tend to like a little bit of everything about it,” Hughman says, “but I think it’s the savory house-made pear jam that really brings it to life.” The freshly baked bread, salty turkey and crispy bacon mingle well with the sweetly spiced jam, flavored with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg that will surely satisfy your craving. For those avoiding carbs, opt for the Caprese salad, made with balsamic tossed greens with ripe sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil pesto.

Gone are the days of the mid-day martini — or two. Instead, Hughman suggests quenching your thirst and pleasing your palate with a blackberry iced tea, sweetened with house-made simple syrup, while enjoying the view of the city’s flourishing business district from your comfortable indoor or outdoor seat.

107 E. High St., Jefferson City, 573-635-7842, Facebook