There’s a certain kind of cafe cuisine I strongly associate with California. Vegetable forward. Fresh flavors. Raw elements. Marinated elements. Colorful and bright. A daytime spot that serves coffees and teas and juices and probably some variation of a wellness drink. The kind of place that caters to hip millennial flexitarians who more often than not work in creative fields. But this genre of food, of establishment, is growing in popularity around the world. It’s no memorable culinary experience, especially in the context of travel, but it is, for me at least, a kind of comfort food I seek out after a length of time spent abroad.

Mammouth falls squarely into this category. It’s “off the beaten path” geographically (at least, a safe distance from where most tourists hang out), closer to the Midi train station than the city center. It caters to locals who fit the very same demographic expected to frequent a place like this. The space is airy, decorated with character, the menu features seasonal produce in the form of salads, tartines, soups and juices, the daily specials scribbled on a chalkboard. Tall windows let in plenty of natural light, even on an overcast day. Light wood furnishings, bright textiles and small plants warm it up. The “happy” food and drinks are curated by the two sisters who own the place, filled with colorful seasonal ingredients that are a sure upgrade for any weekday lunch.