467114 Thu Dec 06 15:03:02 -0800 2007 70 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3185995 Where do I find awesome chocolate croissants in OC or LA? I mean, not the pathetic imitation with a smidgen of chocolate encased in a greasy, doughy dishelved mess --- but the authentic version laden with delicious, but not overly sweet chocolate. Sock it to me. Thu Dec 06 15:03:02 -0800 2007 28056 vlad 1 3186036 If for some reason you do not want to leave you home in the morning. Try Trader Joes Frozen Choclate Croissants. 4 in a box for $3.99 Its a tasty treat for my 10 year old in the mornings.. I just take 1 out the night before and let it proof in a pan overnight ( top of the stove is fine) . In the morning I preheat the oven at 350 and cook for 14 minutes.. Box says 20 -25 but 14 works great for us.. Brush with a beaten egg for a more delicate crust. Otherwise I have heard that there is a great place near Pico and LaCienega ( few blocks West ) that has the best in town. Its not Maison du Pain but closer to that old school chinese resto there ( does any one know of this spot?? ) Thu Dec 06 15:14:46 -0800 2007 3185995 97161 Foodandwine 2 3186048 The best I have had was at le Pain du jour(Santa Monica). Thu Dec 06 15:18:45 -0800 2007 3186036 13817 mrsjoujou 3 3186415 I love everything at le Pain du Jour. Oddly enough, (I say oddly, because there is not much good food to be had in the Palisades) a la tart makes an excellent pain du chocolat Thu Dec 06 17:24:13 -0800 2007 3186048 19185 budlit 3 3244165 Have to agree, Pain du Jour's pastries are just like in Paris. From the eclair, to the croissant, to the baguette, its a bit of Paris in Santa Monica, Fri Dec 28 20:40:53 -0800 2007 3186048 153150 matthieuchamussy 2 3186301 Do you mean Delice Bakrey, the kosher bakery on Pico? Thu Dec 06 16:42:34 -0800 2007 3186036 64572 highforpie 3 3191939 many kosher bakeries do not use butter. that would certainly affect the flavor of a croissant. dunno about delice Sat Dec 08 23:02:20 -0800 2007 3186301 11935 westsidegal 2 3187072 I know it's probably not what the OP had intended, but I will agree 100% with the Trader Joe's frozen ones...they are great and easy to make. One of the bestter products at TJ's for certain and very fairly priced. I probably wouldn't have replied to this post, except that i just got a package out of the freezer an hour ago and they are now thawing/proofing in the kitchen right now! Fri Dec 07 00:02:28 -0800 2007 3186036 10957 RSMBob 2 3232909 I tried the TJs choc. cros. and they were great. Thanks. Sun Dec 23 13:34:58 -0800 2007 3186036 28056 vlad 2 3262228 I thought you were joking about the TJ frozen croissants until I tried them. They are *awesome*. Thanks for making my X-mas morning so easy! :) Fri Jan 04 16:15:16 -0800 2008 3186036 150969 RaeRenee 1 3186077 As far as pains au chocolat are concerned, my heart belongs to Breadbar. Thu Dec 06 15:27:08 -0800 2007 3185995 100515 Woolsey 2 3186392 i've had their croissants and pain au chocolat at intelligentsia - they're amazing! Thu Dec 06 17:18:38 -0800 2007 3186077 33727 patz 1 3186089 Amandine Thu Dec 06 15:30:24 -0800 2007 3185995 127538 wutzizname 2 3186477 Amandine -- Ask them to warm it. They use a real oven, not a microwave. Thu Dec 06 17:49:51 -0800 2007 3186089 14014 liu 3 3186850 Another vote for Amandine. Plus everything there is simply delicious. Are any of these croissants close to the Au Bon Pain chain that we don't see out here? It's been years, but ABP was the first chocolate croissant I had and I have nostalgia toward it. Thu Dec 06 20:53:35 -0800 2007 3186477 11577 Pei 4 3186913 is au bon pain the chain of joints that are all over NYC? Thu Dec 06 21:30:17 -0800 2007 3186850 10866 kevin 5 3187049 Yes. And I don't know if they were ever quite as good as a place like Amandine, but I too have fond memories their croissants, particularly the almond. Thu Dec 06 23:41:44 -0800 2007 3186913 127538 wutzizname 6 3198453 Definitely agree re Amandine, though I also urge the OP to try their banana chocolate danish, which is transcendent. Tue Dec 11 10:07:36 -0800 2007 3187049 18466 a_and_w 4 3244197 I confess the same ABP guilty pleasure, Pei. It was my first, too. Authenticity? Questionable. Big hunka chocolate and butter in my belly? DEFINITELY. Fri Dec 28 20:53:33 -0800 2007 3186850 23189 October 1 3187061 Urth cafe has ones loaded with chocolate. http://www.urthcaffe.com/locations.html Thu Dec 06 23:53:07 -0800 2007 3185995 49187 Hungry Girl 1 3187680 Chez Nous in Toluka Lake has great croissants. Fri Dec 07 08:10:23 -0800 2007 3185995 124390 LMelba 2 3188127 I too am on the search for the best chocolate croissants around. I live in Orange County so I go to this French Bakery owned by Vietnamese but it actually has French bakers. Very crispy flaky outside, soft inside, bittersweet chocolate. Boulangerie Pierre & Patisserie located at: 14352 Brookhurst St. Garden Grove, CA 92843 I believe there is another location in San Gabriel Valley area. 714-418-9098 Fri Dec 07 10:20:38 -0800 2007 3187680 16503 Tony 3 3189041 Thanks Tony. I am gonna check it out this weekend. Fri Dec 07 14:31:08 -0800 2007 3188127 28056 vlad 4 3189066 No problem Vlad. Here is a link from a fellow chowhounder, I hope he or she doesn't mind. http://wanderingchopsticks.blogspot.com/2007/02/boulangerie-pierre-patisserie-garden.html Grab a baguette while you are there. I think they are one of the best in the Little Saigon area as well. The croissants like any croissants are best eaten immediately, they lose that flaky goodness, after a bit of time. The prices here are awesome as well. I believe the croissants cost either $1.50 or less. Let me know how it stacked up compared to the rest. Fri Dec 07 14:47:32 -0800 2007 3189041 16503 Tony 3 3252419 Do you have any more details on the SGV location? I can't seem to find any listings. Tue Jan 01 20:17:49 -0800 2008 3188127 122164 chineseTakeOut 1 3188297 Breadbar's chocolate croissant is ok. But the chocolate almond croissant is MUCH better. Fri Dec 07 11:02:44 -0800 2007 3185995 74905 jaykayen 2 3216733 word to the motha', jaykayen. just had one this weekend and it ROCKED. excellent quality chocolate and loads of fluffy almond goodness. but...even better than breadbar's, surprisingly enough, was the one at masa of echo park, though it has been a good 2 years since i have been there. did you notice the dough of the breadbar version isn't that flaky? almost like they are using scraps. and the filling of masa's is more buttery. i will have to stop by and compare anew. Mon Dec 17 17:04:25 -0800 2007 3188297 63941 tastycakes 1 3188410 Also - La Maison du Pain, on Pico near La Brea. Fri Dec 07 11:34:00 -0800 2007 3185995 10604 jacinthe 2 3188478 the one in mid-city on pico is really good. amandine's chocolate croissants on wilshire near bundy are really great and really cheap compared to the rest of croissants around town (at 2 bucks for a large fluffy one) Fri Dec 07 11:50:36 -0800 2007 3188410 10866 kevin 2 3191940 i second the La Maison du Pain recommendation. Sat Dec 08 23:03:34 -0800 2007 3188410 11935 westsidegal 1 3189250 i used to get chocolate croissants from the french bakers at the culver city and westwood farmer's markets. i think they're pretty tasty and reasonably priced - $2 each. maybe you could give them a try. Fri Dec 07 15:58:32 -0800 2007 3185995 83508 cheesecustard 1 3189459 The Cream Pan at the El Camino Plaza Mall on El Camino Real in Tustin Fri Dec 07 17:32:19 -0800 2007 3185995 148550 oxygenozone 2 3190573 I was disappointed with their chocolate croissant. They don't even use butter. Sat Dec 08 10:13:19 -0800 2007 3189459 13817 mrsjoujou 1 3189514 No one yet has mentioned The Little Next Door (3rd at Crescent Heights) it's a wonderful french cafe owned by The Little Door and their croissants (and many other things) are quite excellent. Fri Dec 07 18:01:07 -0800 2007 3185995 148567 maxwhirl 1 3191315 I had an absolutely wonderful chocolate croissant at the Los Feliz Cafe last weekend ... it was formerly La Conversation. Top quality with a large piece of dark chocolate inside. Sat Dec 08 16:21:28 -0800 2007 3185995 13794 SilverlakeGirl 2 3640798 Completely agree. Now that Back Door Bakery (Silverlake) is gone, these are the best croissants on the east side. Large, flaky, fresh, buttery. A bit pricey ($2-3), but truly amazing! Lots of savory ones too. (spinach/cheese, mushroom/cheese, ham/cheese) which are a meal in themselves. Tue Apr 29 13:48:53 -0700 2008 3191315 184813 lafoodie7 1 3192766 Paris Pastry on Westwood Blvd - I think 3 stop lights south of Wilshire. Delicious. Not in the traditional shape. Sun Dec 09 11:29:19 -0800 2007 3185995 10893 TOgirl 1 3216703 I had a good Pain au Chocolat at Bonjour Café in Dana Point recently. Just enough chocolate to balance against the very layered crisp croissant. Mon Dec 17 16:54:44 -0800 2007 3185995 132199 rob.nolen 1 3218513 very good oneas at La Dijoinaise near the Helms Complex. Tue Dec 18 09:40:44 -0800 2007 3185995 10866 kevin 1 3233579 Europane, natch! Sun Dec 23 19:35:32 -0800 2007 3185995 10702 condiment 2 3246251 Trader Joes: wonderful wonderful 3 out of 4. one somehow did not rise right? but those other 3 oh my i have to say MUCH better than many i've tried in my surrounding area!!!! I have had lots of good things at Europane, this is not something I've tried yet there. I do have a problem with eating too much chocolate methinks. Sat Dec 29 21:05:48 -0800 2007 3233579 51111 MaryT 1 3247928 I swear the ones from Blackmarket Bakery, sold at the Irvine FM near UCI on Saturday mornings, are made with butter, chocolate and crack cocaine. They're SO. GOOD. Sun Dec 30 17:00:43 -0800 2007 3185995 10811 Das Ubergeek 2 3248882 The chocolate croissants at BLD are made on site and I like them a lot. Flakey, with good quality bittersweet chocolate. Mon Dec 31 06:16:50 -0800 2007 3247928 102543 rachaeln 2 3252997 And I can't believe I forgot about Porto's -- if you get them warm out of the oven, they're unimaginably good. If you don't, well, ten seconds in the microwave will soon fix that. Bring lots of napkins. Wed Jan 02 07:37:14 -0800 2008 3247928 10811 Das Ubergeek 2 3254742 Blackmarket is the absolute bomb. That's the biggest thing I've missed leaving OC for LA. My weekend FM visits just aren't the same without one of their pastries as my breakfast to kick start the day. Large Mocha from the late Diedrich and a scone was a standby. Then some orange shortbread and any of their chocolate offerings. DU, have you tried their marshmallows? Wed Jan 02 15:28:39 -0800 2008 3247928 10746 Jase 3 3254764 Holy moley yes. FANTASTIC marshmallows. Wed Jan 02 15:33:45 -0800 2008 3254742 10811 Das Ubergeek 4 3254794 I don't think I disliked any of their items. My wife would laugh at me because I'd go overboard at times and come wandering home with a bunch of pastries, a large brioche and another loaf of whatever bread struck my fancy. Wed Jan 02 15:42:41 -0800 2008 3254764 10746 Jase 1 3249764 My friends always want to stop by Le Pain Quotidien for their Pain Au Choclates, that is the only choclate croissant I've tried and i do enjoy it a lot. Mon Dec 31 11:58:23 -0800 2007 3185995 77316 420 Reasons to eat 1 3250642 Here are my favorites. With the caveat that a greasy, doughy mess sounds delicious to me! Nazo's on 8th Street between Flower and Figueroa downtown. Really an amazing treat in the morning around 8-9am when they are fresh. The Conservatory on Washington in Culver City Back Door Bakery on Silver Lake Blvd north of Sunset Urth Caffe Mon Dec 31 20:11:55 -0800 2007 3185995 105839 aventinus 1 3253167 my favorite is susina bakery, very buttery and the chocolate is great. I think it is the one foodandwine was referring to. http://www.susinabakery.com/ Wed Jan 02 08:36:14 -0800 2008 3185995 146642 jgomer 1 3253697 I love the pain au chocolate at La Conversation, which is on Doheney just above Santa Monica in Beverly HIlls. Wed Jan 02 11:07:15 -0800 2008 3185995 101164 PlatypusJ 1 3254200 I don't ever remember finding Nutella in one. Usually just chocolate. Wed Jan 02 13:05:15 -0800 2008 3185995 127538 wutzizname 1 3254358 I find it hard to believe that Cream Pan's pain au chocolat do not use butter. Their croissants certainly do.... Their stuff (baguette included) is the closest you'll find to the best of French pastries (and I'm talking about excellent places like La Duree or Pierre Herme not your average corner bakery). Take it or leave it, but this is what the real thing tastes like.... Wed Jan 02 13:42:38 -0800 2008 3185995 102452 ausfrench 2 3254564 I tried plenty of Pain au chocolat in paris and Cream Pain is no where near perfect. Their baguette is too hard. I can't believe you use Cream Pain and Piere Herme in the same sentence. I will try Cream Pain again to see if they have improved. Wed Jan 02 14:42:48 -0800 2008 3254358 13817 mrsjoujou 3 3255901 by cream pan do you mean the tiny japanese influenced pastry shop on el camino real in tustin. Wed Jan 02 22:22:48 -0800 2008 3254564 10866 kevin 4 3255983 that's the one Wed Jan 02 23:15:52 -0800 2008 3255901 102452 ausfrench 3 3269634 Totally agree with mrsjoujou here. Cream Pan was a huge disappointment and has absolutely nothing in common with Pierre Herme (or Laduree for that matter). I tried a pain aux raisin and it was clearly not made with butter -- unless it was some sorry excuse for butter that tasted like shortening. Blech. Mon Jan 07 09:59:19 -0800 2008 3254564 18705 emily 2 3274288 Of course all the laminated doughs at Cream Pan are made with butter. You can see the blocks of Plugra going in if you are there at the right time, but the taste and texture are unmistakable besides. Tue Jan 08 12:14:06 -0800 2008 3254358 95296 Allmodcons 1 3258513 Union Bakery in South Pasadena has excellent chocolate croissants. Supposedly the owner is the previous pastry chef from the Waldorf Astoria in New York. That aside, the croissants are flaky and filled with just the right amount of high quality chocolate. If you get there early in the morning they are still warm and melty inside. Note: They are closed on Mondays. Thu Jan 03 15:54:44 -0800 2008 3185995 154493 magicapple 2 3259400 You must try Dolce Isola , the bakery of the Ivy on Robertson, just north of the 10 fwy @ Cattaraugas. The chocolate croissants are just as good as in Paris-- and the hot chocolate is amazing as well. Thu Jan 03 20:40:58 -0800 2008 3258513 118428 holleygolitely 3 3268367 can i get more details on this bakery is it the bakery besides the ivy that was called L.A. Desserts at one time or did it move a couple miles south??? thanks for any info and also is it an actual shop or a wholesaler???? thanks. Sun Jan 06 20:37:36 -0800 2008 3259400 10866 kevin 1 3261609 Just stopped by Blackmarket Bakery and the chocolate croissant is excellent. At first glance I was dubious - looked too big to be good and seemed to have some kind of 'topping' but overally DELICIOUS! I bought shortbread, macaroons, marshmallows, brownie etc to try at home - everything there looked great. Fri Jan 04 13:24:09 -0800 2008 3185995 102452 ausfrench 1 3262068 The chocolate croissants at Lido Bakery in Manhattan Beach are so wonderful! Fri Jan 04 15:21:31 -0800 2008 3185995 89633 decembergirl 1 3273938 We've split a discussion about Nutella and chocolate croissants to the General Topics board. You can follow it here: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/477329 Tue Jan 08 10:57:39 -0800 2008 3185995 2 The Chowhound Team 1 3274213 I love the ones at Grounds in Long Beach. Blueberry's great too. Pics... http://thatgirlcaneat.blogspot.com/2007/11/grounds-bakery.html Tue Jan 08 11:56:45 -0800 2008 3185995 76226 Oh Robin 2 3274981 Some Crust Bakery in Claremont has divine Choco-cros's. They're huge, though, so be prepared to either share or skip lunch. Tue Jan 08 14:31:12 -0800 2008 3274213 19037 Foodielicious 1 3275051 i have a serious love for all versions of croissant at SK's Donut and Croissant on the corner of 3rd and Cochran (three blocks W of La Brea) in Miracle Mile. I hope I don't regret letting the secret out but that place is amazing. Tue Jan 08 14:51:20 -0800 2008 3185995 46417 LAcupcake 2 3275374 at a donut shoppe? are you sure? gues it must be a gem. Tue Jan 08 16:39:27 -0800 2008 3275051 10866 kevin 3 3277171 I'm positive... it's awesome. Wed Jan 09 09:02:29 -0800 2008 3275374 46417 LAcupcake 4 3321008 As a columnist for the SF Weekly back in the mid 90s, I once interviewed local Punk legend, Dr. Frank, of the Mr. T Experience. For “lunch” he took me to his favorite Oakland neighborhood spot, Lee's Donuts and Croissants, commenting that though “the sign says Donuts and Croissants," he couldn't really "recommend the croissants." So it was with a fair dose of skepticism and morbid curiosity that I took LAcupcake's advice and drove over to 3rd and Cochran to give SK's Donut and Croissant a try. Did the almond version I sampled stand up to Amandine's or Breadbar's or La Maison du Pain's? No. It did not. But it was surprisingly decent for this basic strip mall locale. And very cheap. And closer, for me at least, than any of the rest. The coffee wasn't half bad either. And more importantly, the very cute young girl behind the counter was so genuinely sweet and helpful, it made me want to do everything I could to see this little shop succeed...including going back again and again. N.B. They also sell Lotto tickets. Two birds, one stone. Tue Jan 22 12:04:16 -0800 2008 3277171 127538 wutzizname 5 3321294 I am so happy you gave it a try. I walk there almost every morning with my dog (they have a walk up dog window) for coffee and the family that runs it is so sweet; they remember everyone's usual (which often goes something like "medium coffee, glazed donut, two lotto tickets"). For what it's worth I was recently reading Thomas Keller's French Laundry cookbook and the paragraph that introduces his coffee and donuts dessert states that he was inspired while poor and living in LA... across from "an SK's donut shop". Maybe it's not one and the same but I like to think it is! Tue Jan 22 13:08:00 -0800 2008 3321008 46417 LAcupcake