What happened to Renaissance patisserie in Larchmont?
Anyone know what happened to Renaissance? We only visit once a year and loved the place. Have they moved or gone out of business? Are there any comparable replacements within 30 minutes driving distance from Larchmont?
-
La Renaissance in Scarsdale has gone downhill since the change in ownership. The old standbys just don't taste the same.. And I'm tired of that rude woman who always works the front. She's driven off most of my friends with her rude snooty attitude. She actually started yelling at me once, likely because I starting quizing her about some ingredients we are allergic to. Drive to Lulu's or Galloways instead.
-
My friend just had a TERRIBLE experience with Renaissance. She ordered a birthday cake, walked out, did not feel right about the decision, got in her car, called the manager on her cell phone and said she wanted to cancel her order. He told her they do not refund deposits made in cash. She put down a $75 deposit on a $150 cake. Mind you, this cake was not over the top...the same cake at Lulu's costs $80. Anyway, the manager would not budge and said that if she had charged her deposit on a credit card he would have refunded her money but it is not their policy to refund cash. Buyer Beware!
›3 Replies-
-
re: lollypop
I'm sure the cake at Lulu tasted 10 times better anyway. A lot of people here think that Lulus is expensive, but I really think their prices are fair, considering the quality of the product. Once we got the wrong cake (actually twice) but they were kind enough to give us a full refund. (Not that their mistake didnt taste delicious!) The last cake we got at Renaissance tasted stale and when I called to complain, they almost insinuated that we wanted a free cake. It would have been nice if they had extended the same courtesy as Lulu's, and admited their mistake. I guess that why we will never go back to La Rennaisance.
-
-
-
I loved Renaissance - they had the best coffee, as well as wonderful pastries and french bread. It was my Saturday morning treat, before heading over to the farmer's market. I was told there was a divorce, so the Larchmont store closed. The one in Scarsdale is now owned by different people, which may account for the change in quality.
-
scharffenberger
Nov 16, 2007 03:13 AM
I am not certain but I think the rent was raised, There are several. Including another branch of Renaissance in Scarsdale.
›11 Replies-
-
re: dolores
Striver
Nov 16, 2007 04:08 AM
We go to Scarsdale, primarily for Lulu's bakery (which also makes excellent croissants, especially their cheese version), but also for Renaissance's dacquoise. Parking isn't that bad, really (and we're only there on weekends) - especially if you're willing to park on Garth Road and walk a few blocks.
-
-
-
re: scharffenberger
Yes, Renaissance was amazing - and reasonably priced too. I'm from out of town, so could you tell me exactly where in Scarsdale Lulu's is located? Couldn't find it the one time I tried several years ago. Also, how do I get to Kneaded Bread? Parking in Portchester? Thanks so much!
-
-
re: kathy777
Striver
Nov 16, 2007 06:17 AM
Lulu's is on Garth Road, which is just off - and parallel to - the Bronx River Parkway. Check their website for specific location (and a map).
-
re: Striver
did they change the new la renaissance in scarsdale village? is it under the same ownership? we had their signature cake with the almond meringue crust the other weekend and it was awful. it used to be my favorite. normally its good when its sitting a few days in the fridge but i think this thing was just plain old.
lulus is where the old jespersens used to be -- a word of advice about lulus. the berry scones there are really out of this world and i love their german chocolate cake, and i think they make the best brownies around -- but dont even THINK of walking in there without ordering something. last time we went there on a saturday morning and there was nothing on the shelves. it looked like the place was closed. we were very upset.
if you head to the kneaded bread in portchester you have to try the provolone bread its the best!
-
re: MaxAvery
Striver
Nov 16, 2007 11:58 AM
We bought some Renaissance squares and some palmiers a while ago and they were up to the usual standard - but their quality, IMO, has been somewhat erratic in the last year.
Lulu's is a matter of luck if you haven't placed an order, for sure - but I stopped there last Saturday morning around 11:00, and went home with a substantial vanilla cupcake with raspberry buttercream frosting, 2 amazing thin brownies (almost like a chocolate truffle cake), 2 big house-made devil dogs (devil's food cake filled with vanila cream), and 2 croissants (1 plain, 1 cheese). Everything was excellent.
Portchester's a bit far for us (we're in the Bronx), but I get my provolone bread fix at Madonia Bros. on Arthur Ave. Thanks for the tip, though.
-
re: Striver
so you were the one who cleaned up the shelves before we got there! jsut kidding.
i love their brownies and their rugelach. they are both incredible. i read on another post that they hired the pastry chef from bouley. you can tell by the quality. i have also heard of these mysterious devil dogs but will not believe they exist until i see them with my very own eyes!!!
-
-
-
-
-
