Any place one can buy Kouign Amann in SF?

[cyssf]

Tom fell in love with kouign amann while on our home exchange in Brittany, I have been searching for a bakery in San Francisco that sells this. I tried using David Leibovitz's version which was too bread like and not the chewy, flaky pastry we remember from Brittany and will try Madeleine Kaman's recipe in When French Women Cook. However, I suspect I will not be able to bake this at home since I'm a terrible baker and would love to find someplace to buy kouign amann.

[ShepherdBGoode]

Whenever I need a dozen or so, it's Starter's booth at the Wednesday Albany farmers' market. They always have plenty, in several varieties. $3.75 unfilled (my preference), $4 for the others. Also got a nice spelt loaf last time.

Wednesdays 3-6 PM
Solano Ave just west of San Pablo
Parking is no problem, especially if you ride a bike.

PS Also a very nice sorbet vendor right next to Starter, half a dozen flavors at least.

[grayelf]

Front is carrying B Leong's kouign amann. Fairly killer with an affogato made with Mr and Mrs Miscellaneous :-).

[cyssf]

Original poster here...wanted to add to this thread that we went to Cyrus in Healdsburg since they are closing in late August and we felt we had to try it. I was astonished to see that at the end of the meal they brought over a small box with a kouign amann in it! We were suppose to take it home after we added our selection of mignardises from the cart. What an astonishing finale! Why would Cyrus with it's Asian-French inflected food give us kouign amann as a final course???? The stars must be in alignment.

[Melanie Wong]

Nicole Plue is the pastry chef at Cyrus. Now I've gotta go back and see if I can get one.
http://www.cyrusrestaurant.com/plue_b...

[grayelf]

They are carrying Starter ka at Soup Junkies per a recent post by Ruth Lafler on this thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/856290

[CeciliaL]

They are no longer carrying them - something about delivery times being incompatible.... *tear*

[grayelf]

Wah! But thanks for letting us know.

[rubadubgdub]

It's a sweet touch but the sad truth is that after the meal, we didn't get around to eating it until the next day and by then it was not as good as it could have been.

[hyperbowler]

Discussed on another thread, http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/8280... , Octoberfeast Bakery makes a Kouign Amann-like product they call "Reaper buns." They sell them at their storefront and at the Temescal Farmer's Market, possibly others. They're shorter but wider than a standard Kouign Amann, and if memory serves correctly from ~2 years ago, have more mass.

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OctoberFeast Bakery
1954 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

[cyssf]

Okay, I am the original poster who wanted kouign after returning from Bretagne where we had several versions. Have now tried Philippe's (custom made for us chowhounds), Starter Bakery, and Belinda Leong's and have to say I think Belinda Leong's wins for tastiness although not quite the buttery/gooey butter cake we had in Brittany. Belinda's is flaky, crispy, caramelized and keeps well for a few days which is great since I was so enamored of finally tasting her's and meeting her at the Ferry Building Farmer's Market this Saturday that I bought too many. She agreed with me that the technique is exacting which is why I am never going to try to make my own again (see another chowhound thread for this particular disaster) and will only seek out Belinda's or Starter Bakery's when the craving strikes again.

[timpoblete]

If you get a chance you should try her Butter Cakes (mentioned here as Louisiana Butter Cakes, but I recall they were called something else when I had them: http://fourbarrelcoffee.com/etcetera/...), which are croissants tossed with butter and sugar. I actually prefer it to the kouign. She sold it a couple of weekends at Four Barrel but haven't seen them since. They were stickly and gooey and filled with caramelized goodness.

[JToronto]

oh...my... goodness!!! We also discovered this in Brittany and fell in love, couldn't believe it had not made its way to North America given our sweet "tooths" over here - what a treat to discover it exists in SF! An exhaustive search here in Toronto was unsuccessful and my husband's attempt to bake it was also quite a disaster. I am off to SF this weekend and will try to track this down. By the way, to those who said it was "leaden"... I do think it's pretty much supposed to be. As best I could tell in Brittany, the goal was to see how much sugar and butter could be packed into a single square inch of space. This is very much a guilty pleasure!

[cyssf]

Well, this is not like what we had in Brittany which was gooier and butterier but it's pretty darn good. Flakier, lighter, but still sugary and buttery. B Leong sells hers at Four Barrel at the Ferry Building farmer's market and the general store in the ferry building on Saturdays. I thought I read that there was a bakery in Toronto known for its kouign? Or maybe it was Montreal now that I think about it more.

[grayelf]

Mention of Starter's KA in NYT article from late November, found by a Van local hound fmed: http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/20...

[rubadubgdub]

Belinda Leong is doing her popup pastry shop again tomorrow (12/11) at flour+water, 9-12n. She promises Cinnamon Apple Kouign Amann. I will have to swing by since I have never experienced this delight that others speak of. I last bought some of her baked goods at the Japan Bake Sale and kicked myself for not buying a whole box. Hers were our hands down favorites, delectable in every way.

Oh, I also saw them for sale at Remedy in Oakland this morning. Not sure who is baking for them. I had just had bfast or I would have indulged.

[rubadubgdub]

Reprting back: B leong version is an excellent pastry, flavor reminiscent of the prized center of a morning bun but mostly crisp instead of soft. Carmelization on bottom, could see the layers inside. Reportedly she has spent 10 yrs trying to perfect it. Not sure I'd pay $5 again (I love morning buns for less) but I can appreciate that it takes serious skill to make it just so. It would have been amazing warm.

[rubadubgdub]

I tried Starter's this a.m. and noticed the diff. It's saltier, has less carmelization and air pockets than the BLeong version, but it's well worth eating. It's like a tasty hockey puck.

[Spatlese]

Also dragged myself out of bed this morning to trek over for Belinda Leong's popup, mainly to see how her kouign amann compared to my "go-to" version from Starter Bakery. The cinnamon apple filling in the middle was tasty enough - just a smidgen, so the pastry didn't get soggy at all. As for the rest of the pastry, yeah, I'd have to give the nod to this version over Starter's, mainly because this one seemed to be "hollower" than Starter's, with less bready heft in the middle, but in exchange much more crunchy, caramelized goodness overall.

I think I'd read in one of the various food news blurbs that Chef Leong was planning an East Bay baking site, though I guess she's aiming for SF proper for a future retail shop - if that happens, hopefully her baked goods'll be showing up on this side of the bridge eventually!

(As an aside, spotted David Kinch patiently waiting in line as I was leaving - props to him for making the schlep all the way from Santa Cruz to support his ex-pastry chef!)

[l_emily]

The ones at Remedy are from Starter's. I also made it out to the pop-up- thanks to rubadubgdud's post. | got it at 8:20 and was out the door and in line at 8:45. Thanks!

I've had the KA from Starter's and Boulange and now B. Leong's. I think Leong's are the best of the bunch as they have a great balance of carmelization and dough-flakiness. Although I am happy to eat the Starter's KA anytime. The Boulange ones- not very comparable. They are good in their own right, but they are too doughy to be considered a good KA. Anyway, off to paris next week and will try to find one there for comparison even though they are really from Brittany.

[rubadubgdub]

SFgate reports that Belinda will be at the Sat Ferry Plaza farmer's market in January with a bake stand. Her kouign amanns are among the goodies. Everything I've had from her has been outstanding: chocolate burnt caramel tart with hazelnut dust, buche noel with macaron flourishes, cupcakes, etc. Well worth a visit if you crave deliciousness.

[Atomica]

I've now tried Starter Bakery's and Belinda Leong's. I definitely like Starter Bakery's better, but hell, they're both really delicious.

[rworange]

I'll have to give them a try.

This topic has been popping up lately and i really haven't bothered to read it because it sounded like something Middle Eastern. So I'm in la Bedaine today and there they are for $2,

Not having tried one before and not reading this the last thing i would have thought was 'leaden' which was a description above. It reminded me of a croissant biscuit, crisp on the outside with buttery, slightly sweet layers inside.

There really isn't a definative version from what I am reading. It is location dependant and can vary wildly. This blog mentions some variations and the photo looks like the La Bedaine version.
http://doriegreenspan.com/2010/03/cookies-cakes-kouing-amans-and-a-coincidence.html

A little more on one variation from wiki.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kouign-a...

One thing not mentioned in this thread from wiki "The name derives from the Breton words for cake ("kouign") and butter ("amann"). Kouign-amann is a speciality of the town Douarnenez in Finistère, in the west of France, where it originated in around 1860"

[hhc]

Was on the search for a Kouign Amann this weekend:

Four Barrel only gets them M, W, F, so on Sat morning, none was available. Got a cannele that they sell from Mission Beach Cafe $4 for one. Tasted ok.

Sat afternoon walked over to Little Vine in North Beach, they were sold out of them. They don't get them everyday, best to call them & request them to be held for you. Their hrs: T-F 11-7; Sat 10-7; Sun 11-5. 415-702-5431.

Sun morning - called Farm:Table & they don't answer the phone even though I called around 10am. Rushed over there & saw a plate of Poached Pear filled Kouign Amann, one is $5 CASH ONLY. Got it, it was tasty. Flaky, had caramelized sugar on the bottom. Was gonna just take a few bites, but finished the thing off, it's about 7 bites, not too big. Hrs: M-F 7:30-3; Sat 8-3; Sun 9-3.

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Mission Beach Cafe
198 Guerrero St., San Francisco, CA 94103

Farm Table
754 Post St, San Francisco, CA

Little Vine
1541 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

[carolineinthecity]

La Boulange Bakery in Cole Valley had Kouign Amann this morning! I bought a couple of them ($2.50 each), and they were good. Not quite swoon-worthy but good. Next, search for and try Starter Bakery's version.

[Spatlese]

I should've known better (since it's anyone's guess when they were actually made), but I bought a pair of these Boulange Bakery products in a clamshell pack from Whole Foods the other day - leaden, slightly soggy on the bottom....bleah. Suppose I'd have to find them at the source for a true comparison, but until then, it's Starter Bakery all the way for me.

[jen kalb]

I got obsessed with finding this pastry on my trip to SF this weekend - carried a list of the Starter bakery and Belinda Leong outlets around with me - unfortunately we werent in range of any of them, and the only sample I was able to find was one from Boulange on Fillmore St on Tues am. This was a totally boring pastry without any redeeming characteristics. Not as good as the relatively mediocre but buttery and flaky croissant I was served earlier that morning or an average elephant's ear. No crispness no buttery/saltiness, no caramel, just a very average pastry. So Id say Boulange is one to avoid if you are an a serious search.

[The Librarian]

I saw them at La Boulange in Novato on Saturday, but didn't try them.

[hhc]

7x7 Magazine has an article on them & where to get them in SF:
http://www.7x7.com/eat-drink/croissan...

[scarmoza]

Starter Bakery's also available at Farm : Table

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Farm Table
754 Post St, San Francisco, CA

Starter Bakery
1552 Beach Street, Suite R, Oakland, CA 94608

[JulesSF]

Now also available at Rapha Cycle Club in the Marina (along with Four Barrel Coffee) ...

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Rapha Cycle Club
2198 Filbert St, San Francisco, CA 94123

[david kaplan]

Also now at the new Coffee Bar, 101 Montgomery. Tried it this morning. I prefer Belinda Leong's version, which I tried at Flour+Water, over Starter Bakery's. Leong's pastry was lighter and flakier, and the sugar was more caramelized and pronounced. If I tried Starter Bakery's first I probably would have not complained, but having tried Leong's first I thought Starter Bakery's was heavy, dry, and too light on the crunchy caramelized sugar.

To be so spoiled by multiple Kouign Amann options!

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Starter Bakery
1552 Beach Street, Suite R, Oakland, CA 94608

[hhc]

how much is Belinda Leong's version & the Starter Bakery's version?

Edit: Belinda now sells a chocolate kouign amann at Four Barrel - anyone try that yet? Her pastries also available at Bar Agricole, SF.

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Starter Bakery
1552 Beach Street, Suite R, Oakland, CA 94608

[david kaplan]

I think Starter's @ Coffee Bar was $4. Leong's @ Flour+Water was something similar but I don't know @ Four Barrel. Sounds like a delicious research project!

Starter @ Coffee Bar also has a chocolate kouign amann, which I haven't tried.

[Sarah]

Saw some last week at La Bedaine in Albany.

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La Bedaine
1585 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94706

[saffrongold]

This was on the Tasting Table newsletter today:

Little Vine is also one of a few places that carry the soon-to-be-legendary pastries from Oakland's Starter Bakery, including baker Brian Wood's sugar-laden Kouign Amman
Little Vine, 1541 Grant Ave.; 415-738-2221 or shoplittlevine.com

[The Librarian]

I just bought some at La Bedaine this afternoon. Haven't had a chance to try them yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I've never tasted them before!

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La Bedaine
1585 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94706

[Ruth Lafler]

How was the La Bedaine kouign aman? I was tempted to buy one when I was in there Saturday, but having not loved the Starter Bakery one, I managed to resist.

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La Bedaine
1585 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94706

Starter Bakery
1552 Beach Street, Suite R, Oakland, CA 94608

[sfbing]

The La Bedaine one I had a couple of weeks ago was kind of leaden. My favorite so far has been the Belinda Leong one at Four Barrel.

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La Bedaine
1585 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94706

[The Librarian]

I wasn't wild about it. I thought it was kind of heavy too. But I thought maybe it was me, since I'm not a big fan of sweets or dough. I bought it because some of the descriptions sounded so wonderful!

[vulber]

former GD pastry chef belinda leong is starting her own place and i know she tested some out at a special flour + water breakfast a few weeks ago.

i also saw some being sold by a bakery whose name i didn't recognize yesterday at the temescal farmer's market

[JasmineG]

That's the above mentioned Starter Bakery (at Temescal).

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Starter Bakery
1552 Beach Street, Suite R, Oakland, CA 94608

[david kaplan]

Her Kouign Amman was the first I'd tried and I loved it. Allegedly Four Barrel will be carrying hers soon.

[Melanie Wong]

Tasting Table San Francisco just tweeted that Sons & Daughters (former site of Cafe Mozart) has them for breakfast.
http://twitter.com/TastingTableSF/sta...

Hope a chowhound tries one soon.

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Sons & Daughters
708 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108

[Melanie Wong]

One week and no one can report the kouign amman for breakfast at Sons & Daughters in SF?

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Sons & Daughters
708 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108

[grayelf]

Saw that Tablehopper is reporting kouign amann at a new North Beach food store called Little Vine and thought of this thread. If I read correctly, they are from Starter Bakery. Obviously I can't say if they are good or not as I am in Vancouver but it is another source in SF! 1541 Grant Ave. at Union, 415-272-7567.

[wally]

Starter Bakery sells a great kouign amman. They are available at a number of places.
http://starterbakery.com/

[JasmineG]

The Starter Bakery Kouign Amman are incredible. They always have plain, chocolate, and a seasonal fruit one. They have no stand alone bakery, but checking their website shows where their stuff is available.

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Starter Bakery
1552 Beach Street, Suite R, Oakland, CA 94608

[david kaplan]

Including at Bittersweet in Rockridge, even though it's not listed on their website.

[l_emily]

Just had the kouign amman from Starter Bakery yesterday morning. I have never had this pastry, so I cannot compare it to the real deal, but it was delicious. It has a perfect blend of carmelized exterior with a softer inside. The porportion of butteriness tosweetness and a touch of salt was really sublime. It was not dense either, a very tasty pastry- much perferred over a croissant or morning bun, it was definitely worth getting up early to eat. I am curious to how the SB kouign amman compares to the French ones.

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Starter Bakery
1552 Beach Street, Suite R, Oakland, CA 94608

[Allfrog68]

It is correct on their website but I just wanted to say that they do indeed sell at the Oakland Grand/Lake Farmer's market. We pick these up regularly. I started a thread on Starter bakery a while back. I love these things. First time I'd every had them before.

[pilinut]

I love kouign amann, too, but have never seen any around here, though I was told that I missed an opportunity at Patisserie Philippe a couple of weeks ago. I think someone put in a special order, and there were several pieces left over. If you do order some, please post and let the rest of us know if and when we can descend on the patisserie to pick some up :-)

Oh, and please do post about your experiences making kouign amann! I'd love to hear about how it goes, and may even try to make some while taking a rest from my frustrating attempts at canelé.

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Patisserie Philippe (moving)
655 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94103

[The Chowhound Team]

cyssf's reply has been spit of to its own topic on the home cooking board: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/726217

[cyssf]

I called Patisserie Philippe and he said he was reluctant to make it because people know what to expect and it is not exactly what they have in Brittany because of the different ingredients - particularly the butter and sea salt. However, that being said, he asked me to call him back next Monday and he would try. So if anyone else wants kouign let me know and perhaps I can talk him into making a few more cakes!

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Patisserie Philippe (moving)
655 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94103

[pilinut]

Sign me up! How big are the cakes? Or should I say I'm good for a kilo or so of kouign amann? I'll add my new e-mail to my profile.

(He does have a point about the butter, though. Perhaps if we offered to pay extra for French butter?)

[Cynsa]

Call [phone]. Pilinut has discussed this with Patisserie Philippe - they do make it - but not every day.

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Patisserie Philippe (moving)
655 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94103

[Melanie Wong]

I can recommend the kouign amann at Satura Cakes, here's my post.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/708079
Not in the city of San Francisco, Satura has three stores: Los Altos, Palo Alto and Campbell.

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Satura Cakes
199 E Campbell Ave, Campbell, CA

[cyssf]

While on a visit to Palo Alto for other reasons, decided to find Satura for kouign only to find it was closed. Then drove to Los Altos (yes I know, starting to verge on obsessive compulsive) only to find that of all the pastries on display, only the kouign was sold out! So STILL have not been able to buy any kouign. Satura was sold by the original owners to the head pastry chef and they will only have one store now - the Los Altos one. Argh....

[ssfire]

As of a week ago, Satura Cakes in Los Altos started selling their own macarons. Has anyone sampled?

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Satura Cakes
200 Main St, Los Altos, CA