Almond paste...or where to get the best almond croissant (in MTL)

[caramielle]

Hello!

My mom came back from TO and brought back some almond croissants for my grandma. She loves them so much and got so mad at my grandpa for eating the last one (go figures). Anyways, now I've been enlisted with the job to either

1) Get the best almond croissant possible (in Montreal)
or if all else fails
2) Make it myself (because I can?)

My only issue is with the baking part is where to get almond paste, because I haven't found it in the large supermarkets before.

Thanks in advance :)

(PS: I've searched the boards in advance and noted that Patisserie Nancy was a contender for a good almond croissant - anyone else want to add to that?)

[morebubbles]

I like almond croissants but don't like the places that use use almond extract in the almond mix. I really like the almond croissants at Le Comptoir a Rolland; there's one at Metro Longueil. A co-worker usually reserves them a day in advance to avoid disappointments.Tel. [phone].

Lots of almond paste, toasted sliced almonds on top, crisp pastry... I'm totally craving one now!

[MissBiscuits]

Boulangerie Mr. Pinchot on Brebeuf....when I think about the almond croissant I had there, my heart starts beating faster and my mouth literally starts to water. I once had a moment with one in my car. Couldn't even make it home without eating the whole thing. Oh my...I want one now. See!

[chilipepper]

Ok, to avoid confusion, the almond croissants at Figaro and Olive are the crusty kind with almond paste, not cream.(I prefer the former myself!)

[Glaff]

The ones from De froment et de sève are pretty amazing, if you can take it! They're pretty big and really packed with almond cream.

[ohyouneverknow]

no one has mentioned fous desserts. seriously?

[SnackHappy]

BTW, almond croissants are not made with almond paste (marzipan), but with almond cream which is very similar to frangipane and contains raw egg. I don't think you'll be able to buy the stuff. Also almond croissants are usually made from croissants leftover from the day before, so you wouldn't need to bake anything. You just need some croissants, syrup, almond cream and sliced almonds.

[marblebag]

My favorite almond croissant is from Kouign Amann. I don't like their other viennoiseries however.

[SnackHappy]

I would try De Froment et de Sève or maybe Mamie Clafoutis. I don't know about Mamie Clafoutis' amandine, but the regular croissant is pretty outstanding.

[Auguste Gusteau]

Guillaume on Fairmount is a worthy choice

[chilipepper]

I don't know if it's the best but I like the ones at Figaro on Hutchison and the ones at Olive et Gourmando.

[hala]

Olivier Potier makes a mean almond croissant.

[caramielle]

I finally went there because I was curious about it (even prior to this post) - tried the almond croissant and...though good, I know it won't meet my grandma's expectations because she likes the whole "in your face" almond taste. I didn't taste much almond in it...but it was still a good croissant. The chocolatines and the other pastries looked good - need to go there again for a study day

[hala]

The strong almond taste usually comes from almond extract, which I don't like. So, for me, their croissant have a superior taste.

[SnackHappy]

I don't think Olivier Potier makes his baked goods. He makes the pastries and the breads and baked goods are brought in from outside suppliers.