Bistro Chairs and Easy Blueberry Lemon Tart

Can you see yourself taking a bite of a zesty tarte au citron while sitting
on one of these typical French bistro chairs?
These are normally around $350 a piece.  So, when I found two chairs by Palacek at a 
used furniture store for around $100 each, I splurged.
I put them on either side of the French doors to the patio, so

that they are handy to bring out for extra seating…

 These chairs are also in my favorite local coffee shop.

The lemons on our tree are ripening and are really fragrant.
 For my mother’s birthday, I prepared this easy Blueberry Lemon Tart.
I made the dough, but to make it even simpler you could buy refrigerated pie crust.

There was extra lemon mixture so I poured it into custard cups and baked it along with the tart.

I love this mesh sugar shaker from Williams Sonoma.
It has a cap so the powdered sugar is stored and ready when you need it.

Pretty tasty!  Grab a bistro chair and have a seat.  
I’ll make some tea.

Participating in 
On The Menu Monday

49 Comments

  1. Those French Bistro chairs look so wonderful…
    I'd love to have some just like that someday.

    That tart looks yum!

  2. I've always loved the classic French bistro chairs – my favorites are from TK collections – yours are certainly a great find. And LOVE your blueberry lemon tart – my favorite kind of dessert!!

  3. MaryAnn, just saw your "party" picture over on Brooke's blog (she is one good friend) and you look AMAZING! You model you! (And you must have had a blast!).

    In my dream house I will have a bistro feel kitchen with exposed brick walls. What a relaxed and fun way of dining.

    ox, Mon

  4. MaryAnn,

    Perfect! The love of people, places and things keeps you on the verge of wonderment and life loving joy. Great score on the bistro chairs and making your Mom feel so special with the love of baking. So yummy!

    Bette

  5. I love your bistro chairs. A very resourceful friend tracked down a good price on some online. They remind her of a lovely trip to France a few years ago. I'm an Orange County gal…where is your darling market?
    I really like the pan you use for your tart…it looks so much prettier than a basic round.
    Karen

  6. Well, I've printed the recipe. It will now go into my file for unbaked desserts and probably stay there forever more. I love dessert but don't make it often. I also love the plates. Don't they call it Candlewhick? So pretty and simple! The chairs are great and will remind you of Paris! Good score!
    Cheers!

  7. ivy and I have the same idea! Yummy on both accounts. Of course since I have taken myself off of all sugar that tart looks especially good!

    xx

  8. Yum! Thank you, I don't mind if I do! Wow, that looks divine! I also have loved french bistro chairs for years. Seeing your beautiful chairs makes me want to head back to Paris ASAP! I like how you placed them on either side of your doors. Don't you just love a fabulous bargain? Especially when it's closely associated with a place that we love. Enjoy sitting and dreaming of Paris! xo-Lisa

  9. That tart looks so good. Love lemon anything, and I have always loved bistro chairs.

  10. I would love to sample some of the yummy lemon blueberry tart while sitting on one of those cute French Bistro chairs. What a fun post!!!! The coffee shop looks like a fun place to visit, too…

    xo,
    RJ

  11. Love the new chairs! What a deal! They must be comfortable, too, to be used in a coffee shop.

    Your tart looks amazing! I love pairing blueberries and lemons. Thanks for sharing.

  12. *** OK sweet pal, WHAT'S your "SECRET" to finding "suuuuuch a deal"?!?!?!?! I have ALWAYS admired that type of Bistro Chair, & here Y*O*U find them for T*H*A*T price?!?! OK, I might be a liiiiiiitle envious, sure, but I reeeeally am HAPPY for y*o*u!!! CONGRATS on such a good-looking S*U*P*E*R FIND!!!

    BFFs Barb & Kent arrived from Kansas City yesterday, for their annual visit, and this house is ALREADY full of joy and MUCHO laughter!!! (I just WISH I were a "baker" and could have made your LEMON TART for them~~~ it truly looks D*E*V*I*N*E!!!).

    Once again, LOVED our lunch & bit o' shoppin' with Brooke… it was wunnnnaful-a-wunnnnaful!!!

    Hugs,
    Linda ("in AZ *")
    [email protected]

  13. Hello,

    We are spending a couple of days in Harvard Square in Cambridege MA and we sat in these lovely French bistro chairs eating chocolate croissants. Lots of fun! Thank you for sharing. They look lovely in your home.
    Claudia

  14. I love those chairs..and always enjoy when I discover them at a restaurant or coffee shop! Lemon tart and tea? I'll be right over….

  15. What a steal on the chairs. I had those in my first apt. when we got married. They are great looking and your tart sounds wonderful.

  16. Never knew you were a baker extraordinaire!!!! Looks so good!! Fresh lemons from your own tree? I am jealous. Also jealous of that charming little coffee shop you have there and let me guess when you are sitting they open the doors so that warm California air can come rushing in? Arghhhh!
    Great steal on the chairs….just perfect!

  17. Great find! The tarte looks yummy!
    I love the shakers from Bills {William Sonoma} I have a few of them for powdered sugar, cocoa etc.
    Thanks pretty
    xo,
    Gail
    casualloveslegance!

  18. One of my favourite coffee shops in Cape Town has very similar chairs and I have been drooling over them for years. What a lucky find! x Sharon

  19. Great chairs and perfect price tag! Your tart looks wonderful – and your lemons make me want to squeeze a little in my evening tea 😉

    Very pretty blog!

    leslie

  20. What a deal on the bistro chairs – I wouldn't have resisted either. Have bridge at my house on Wednesday…now I know what I'm having for dessert!!

  21. The tart looks divine! There's nothing like having a lemon tree in your garden. Those bistro chairs were made for your home. Perfect!

  22. Those chairsa re fabulous! I've been wanting a set for a while now! You hit the jackpot! I also love how you are able harvest fresh lemons from your tree!

  23. The chairs are *almost* as great as that delicious looking tart! Yum! I love the candlewick plate you served it on too! I have an entire collection of candlewick dishes I inherited from my grandmother. I haven't dared get it out with the kids still so little!

  24. I love those chairs! I've been thinking about getting a few barstools for my kitchen, but haven't done so yet. Lemons and blueberries are a favorite combo of mine, so this tart is right up my alley! Yum!!! Your coffee shop is darling. Wish we had something that looked that good here. I guess we would if I designed one! Where did you find your shelves? They remind me of a piece by Hickory Chair.

  25. Love the chairs!! They are a nice addition to your beautiful home. And the Blueberry Lemon Tart looks delicious! I love anything made with fresh lemons.

  26. Love your little bistro chairs!!!! I would love to have a set for my home :o) Your little tart looks delicious too!
    Have a great week!!!
    ~Des

  27. I love these chairs and you really did get a great deal.They look perfect in your home. I would love a piece of your tart, yum!!! Kathysue

  28. Great chairs! And I love the succulent plant out on your patio table. Succulents are my favorites! So envious that you have a lemon tree in your yard — how wonderful to be able to pick your own wonderful lemons!!!
    Claudia

  29. I love the dish you made the tart in!
    Lemon and blueberries! How delicious! Your chairs are gorgeous!

    XO,
    Jane

  30. You are killing me, Mary Ann! The pie looks delicious!
    I love your chairs. Such a fabulous find.
    Hope that you are having great weekend.
    Teresa
    xoxo

  31. I have always had my eye on those Palacek bistro chairs…$100 for 2, you are lucky I didn't see them first! They look great both inside and out. How do I not know about your favorite coffee place? It looks like I need to go there. And your tart…to die for…I love lemon. I may make this yet today. (of course I'll have to skip the blueberries when I pour the extra lemon filling into custard cups for Patrick).
    xo
    annie

  32. Oh, thse gorgeous bistro chairs would have followed me home too! Yeah, great accessories for any use, even by your french doors they look terrific! Yummy tart too…got me hungry, it's 7pm here, time to eat some light dinner too! Have a nice evening.
    FABBY

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