Croissants in Sonoma County

[Marsha]

Recently returned from Paris, and am seeking croissants that come somewhere near what I got used to there - insanely crisp but never dry, tender but not wodgy, in short, ethereal. Can I find them in my county, does anyone know? Even better, in Petaluma? I've found an acceptable one, which I will include in a report once I have compared it to whatever else is available.

[PorktoPurslane]

Tartine Bakery in the Mission!!! They are SO flaky - you will be absolutely covered in croissant crumbs by the time you finish.

[fyoulady]

DUH Cafe de Croissants in Santa Rosa, they opened a small family run cafe about 10 years ago on Chanate Road and Lomitas Ave and now they have a few other locations (Coffee Lane and one on the corner of 4th and Brookwood) but I think the owner still works at the Chanate Road spot most mornings. They are REALLY REALLY good

[Lala0310]

Not sure if this has been mentioned in other threads...William Sonoma croissants are wonderful. They come to you frozen. You put them on a silpat and pan the night before you wish to eat them. They defrost and rise overnight and you bake them off in the morning. They are sublime. You can order them at http://www.williams-sonoma.com

Whoops, this got double posted. Sorry folks!

[Nikiforos]

I like Bouchon Bakery's in Yountville--darker than most

[LikeFrogButOOOH]

I've always been a big proponent of Pâtisserie Angelica in Sebastopol. I don't know about the authenticity of their almond croissants, but they were delicious the last time I went. Also, Marsha, would you mind sharing which ones you've already been to? I'm always up to try a new bakery.

[LikeFrogButOOOH]

I just realized that I forgot to put up the link.

http://www.patisserieangelica.com/pat...

And I'll be hearing back from a cooking school in Paris where I'm planning to spend the next year, so I'll be asking you for some tips on where to go very soon!

[Marsha]

My research is as yet in its infancy, but I have covered a few places. The results so far have surprised me. I try to purchase before noon, but I have noted when this was not possible.

Della Fattoria: $2.25 each: Quite small, too much shortening, not flaky or airy enough, wodgy bottom and middle, good flavor

Raley’s Rohnert Park: $1.09 each: Dry, poor flavor, not crisp enough. Bready.

Panorama (from our farmer's market, so purchased mid-afternoon, which I think lessens the quality; I'd like to taste this closer to the oven): $1.75 each, good flavor, wodgy middle

Albertson’s: $.69 each Very good flavor and texture (bought from the bin at the front of the bakery, not the packaged ones). So far, this is the clear winner. I've tried them twice, and all the others once.

[rworange]

And I've been condescending about my SO buying croissants at Albertsons. Another place to try is the local Mexican panadrias which usually have croissants with the pan dulce. They tend to usually be on the bready side, but you never know ... and they are usual 25 cents.

[Marsha]

I'm working on it, folks, so thanks to all who have responded so far. I've kissed a few frogs (something odd about that metaphor, isn't there?), but also found some surprisingly good ones. I'll also investigate the flour and butter situation as well.

[sonomajom]

having lived for years in France I've never found any croissants here that are truly comparable. Artisan Bakery in Sonoma does an ok job but I'd recommend their bread - pain de campagne ones rather than baguette
What I understand is that the flour is different here and that plus butter makes for a different product. If you do discover one that's on a par I'll be ecstatic

[Melanie Wong]

Marsha, also wanted to mention the croissant au beurre at La Dolce V in Sebastopol. They're actually baked from frozen, supplied by Gourmet & More.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/31366...

Today I had a croissant from Downtown Bakery in Healdsburg. I think I like the dough better as pain au chocolat. Nice and butter with good flavor and crispness, but on the heavy side.

[Cynsa]

Downtown Bakery's croissants are heavenly when split, buttered and pan-fried... this 8am-Sunday morning breakfast at the Downtown Bakery Cafe was truffled poached eggs on frisee and arugula served between that lovely split croissant...then, a walkthrough the antiques for sale in the Square and a 9am stop at Bovolo for ginger gelato and bacon baklava... I do love breakfast!

[Melanie Wong]

You know, while I was munching on my croissant, I was thinking that it would be better suited for sandwich making. But can't complain much, I bought it at the 50% mark-down.

I did see the truffled eggs on the cafe's breakfast menu . . . along with the note that it doesn't serve on Tuesday and Wednesday. Huge disappointment that I couldn't have it for breakfast today.

[OldTimer]

We buy our croissants at Costco, and they are pretty close to Paris. Usually very fresh and buttery.

[Sharuf]

Last time I bought Costco's croissants, admittedly a few years ago, they were about halfway between Safeway's and the real thing.

[luvcake]

Check out the ingredient list on the ones from Costco! The are the opposite end of the spectrum from anything in Paris!

[Marsha]

Thanks for the suggestions - I will do a comparison (wistfully) and report back on the results of the research. Any other suggestions will also be included.

[napamike]

closest I ve had tothe real thing are at the french bakery on the square inthe town of Sonoma.

[Melanie Wong]

Have you tried Della Fattoria's croissants?

[Robert Lauriston]

Della Fattoria's are also the best in San Francisco (on Saturdays during Ferry Plaza market hours).