Café gourmand

A café gourmand is an espresso and a selection of mignardises (also known as petits fours) served together.

[1][2] There are similarities between "cafés gourmands" and the English tradition of afternoon tea, although the latter is an altogether different occasion.

Back in the 20th century it was common as a minimum to have a starter, then a main course, then a plate of cheese, then a dessert, then a cup of coffee, and then a digestif.

Then the starter ceased to be the accepted norm, and the plate of cheese became scarce, and the digestif disappeared.

Apart from the gain of time, the "café gourmand" has other advantages: While there is no requirement for the composition of a "café gourmand", the desserts most commonly included are chocolate mousse, apple pie, ice cream and crème brûlée.