Cafe Soleil--Provence Cafe & Bakery

Who would have thought I'd find these delicious cookies in the United States? These macaroons are normally found in European countries like Switzerland and France. Essentially you take two oversized macaroon cookies and place a slather of filling between 'em. The texture of the tasty filling is a cross between the hardness of an Oreo cookie center and the lightness of mousse. Cafe Soleil occupies space in an unexciting strip mall several miles from downtown Phoenix. Proprietor and head baker Chef Joseph hails from Paris--which explains everything. Repeated visits allowed me to taste test all the delectable fillings: vanilla, mocha, chocolate, pistachio, raspberry and lemon.