There’s nothing more comforting than a good fried-egg sandwich. And the French (as they do in so many culinary endeavors) take this classic to new heights in the guise of the Croque-Madame.

Here is Maximilien Restaurant’s Croque Madame served on the weekend brunch and weekday lunch menus at the restaurant’s waterfront location in the Pike Place Market. It’s made with Black Forest ham, béchamel, and cheese, all topped with two sunny-side up-eggs. You get to choose between hand-cut French fries or green salad.

For more than you ever wanted to know about the Croque Madame (and variations–such as the Croque Monsieur, which is the same sandwich sans the fried egg) here’s a link to WikiPedia.

Turning to a more heart-healthy option on the Maximilien midday menu, here’s my Salmon Caesar, properly called Saumon Grillé sur Salade Tiède. It features grilled salmon (sadly slightly overcooked on our last visit–be sure to ask for medium-rare if you like your salmon that way) atop meltingly tender butter lettuce (that wilts slightly under the heat of the fish), perfectly steamed new potatoes, pear tomatoes, a bit of red onion, walnuts, and Dijon vinaigrette (which I asked for on the side so I could sauce the salad myself). Think of all the heart-healthy Omega-3s in this main-dish salad, thanks to the salmon and the walnuts. I could eat it every day. . .