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• Bistro de Paris

Bistro de Paris is located in Carmel's Arts & Design district.

After much indecision, the Quiche Lorraine was happily settled upon. (Michelle Pemberton / Indy.com)

Cream of mushroom and chicken crepe is one appealing entree. (Michelle Pemberton / Indy.com)

Onion soup with cheese. (Michelle Pemberton / Indy.com)

Carmel's Arts & Design District continues to expand its cosmopolitan offerings, this time in a culinary-arts format with Bistro de Paris, a cozy Main Street dining spot.

Chef Kathy Jones stars in the kitchen of this quietly elegant eatery, marked by a soothing color palette of soft yellow walls, moss-green carpet and black and blue-green trim. Contemporary paintings serve as focal points in the two-room restaurant; a small bar is tucked unobtrusively along one wall. (The Bistro currently serves beer and wine and is pursuing a full liquor license.)

My friend John and I met for a weekday lunch here and were told to seat ourselves, so we settled in at a white cloth-draped table overlooking the streetscape. The lunch menu offered a tempting mix of salads, soups, quiches and crepes, enough to keep us pondering our options as we sipped soft drinks.

The soup of the day, a creamy mushroom ($7), caught my attention. The thick, velvety creation arrived in a generously sized bowl, with plenty of mushroom slices submerged in a rich base that seemed to include a hint of red wine. So tasty was this starter that John, who hadn't planned to order an appetizer, decided to try a bowl of the French onion soup ($7).

A staple of Bistro's menu, the onion soup proved to be a classic take on the standard. John described the broth as "very sweet -- in a good way," thanks to the mellow combo of broth, sweet onions and gooey melted cheese on top. Four petite wedges of crusty bread accented the bowl as a decorative alternative to traditional croutons.

We had to restrain ourselves from scooping up every last spoonful of our soups to ensure room for the upcoming lunch entrees. I waffled among choices -- the chicken and mushroom crepe with cream sauce? steak medallions? an entrée salad with Roquefort dressing? -- before finally deciding on a traditional quiche Lorraine ($11).

It's hard, after all, to resist a dish that contains two of my favorite foodie pleasures: cheese and bacon.

A large wedge of flaky, crimped-edge pastry crust held eggy goodness mixed with bites of crisp bacon, diced ham and shredded Swiss cheese. The filling managed to be both fluffy and filling, a testament to Jones' skills in the kitchen.

Served with my quiche was a light salad of greens paired with a side of strawberry champagne vinaigrette. The pretty-in-pink dressing was a bit on the sweet side for my taste, but would go over well with someone who enjoys a fruity lettuce topping. John, meanwhile, was busy singing Jones' praises in between bites of his Poulet Grille sandwich.

Served on peasant bread, this healthy take on lunch featured a double-sized chicken breast, grilled simply without extra spice. The flavor came from the meat itself, along with a walnut-chive mayonnaise. Watercress and thinly sliced apples upped the nutritional score.

John's side was especially appealing. Thinly sliced and baked yam strips teamed with his sandwich for an inventive pairing. The yams were crisp and crunchy, without a hint of oiliness.

Before we left, we took a peek at the Bistro's dinner menu, which features a heartier mix of steak, lamb and poultry dishes, along with a traditional appetizer listing and a separate one devoted to seafood (conch spring rolls, anyone?).

Somehow, I think a return here is in my future.

Taste Test

Appetizers:

Cream of mushroom soup, $7

French onion soup, $7

Entrees:

Quiche Lorraine, $10

Poulet Grille Sandwich, $11

-By Julie Cope Saetre / Indy.com correspondent