The Croissant Files - The French Oven, Bread Bar (Little Italy Mercato), and Prager Brothers (Little Italy Mercato)

The Missus and I were planning a trip....well, this one is basically four trips out, and we started ruminating about croissants.....do we miss Paris, and even there, it can be hard to find a good croissant....to be honest, we've had our share of not so good croissants (au buerre) in Paris as well. The discussion reminded me that I had a couple croissant photos just waiting for a post. I guess today's the day. So, "allons y".....

The French Oven:

Several folks in the office, who live in the Scripps Ranch area kept on telling me about The French Oven, telling me it's run by a fifth generation Boulanger from France. So, a few weekends later, I headed on over to a little strip mall in Scripps Ranch.

Man the place was hopping!

Service was fast, I believe the owner was working the front of house as he and another gentleman were speaking in French. It kinda made my morning.

As for the croissant, while it was the best of the three in post, well, it was okay.....light with a decent flakey-crispness, but really lacking in butteriness, and when broken lacked that hint of yeastiness we love.

Not bad.

You can read Cathy's post on The French Oven here.

The French Oven Bakery
10299 Scripps Trail Suite E
San Diego, CA 92131

Bread Bar (at the Little Italy Mercato):

The following week, I dropped by the Little Italy Mercato to do some shopping. And decided to pick up a couple of croissants for the Missus and I to try. First, was from Bread Bar.

This was more crumbly than flakey and crisp. It had enough salt, but lacked a good buttery flavor and was too dry. It also had that fishiness that pastries in the states sometimes have, usually from the eggs used, which both the Missus and I don't care for.

Bread Bar in the Little Italy Mercato.

Prager Brothers (at the Little Italy Mercato):

We enjoy the bread from Prager Brothers and should probably head up to their bakery in Carlsbad. But until then.....

The croissant was not bad; but lacking in enough butteriness, salt, and yeastiness to us. The texture of the interior was a bit too soft for us.

We'll stick to getting their wonderful breads.

Prager Brothers at the Little Italy Mercato.

So....the search goes on.....

Comments

[Sandy]

I'm a big fan of The French Oven; the owner is a Scripps Ranch resident. My favorite pastry is their almond croissant. I'll have to try the butter croissant next.

[kat]

enjoy your croissant search :)

[James]

Have you tried the ones from Le Parfait Paris? They're gorgeous but a little bland.

[Kirk]

Hi Sandy - My coworkers who live in the area love the place. The croissant was not bad.

I am Kat!

Not yet James, but I have it on my list. So many places....so little time! ;o)

[vickie]

Have you tried O'Brien Boulangerie? It is in Poway near Costco. Their croissants are delicious. The breads are wonderful as well.

[Kirk]

Another one for my list! Thanks Vickie!

[RedDevil]

You probably already know it but I liked wayfarer in LJ though I haven’t been in a long time. Tartine in SF was good too but haven’t been to the LA version. Happy eating!

[Kirk]

Hey RD - I actually have Wayfarer on my list! the only reason I haven't been yet is because it's a bit of a hassle getting there. Hope all is well; thanks for commenting.

[Kenneth]

Might as well try to find a unicorn as a Paris equivalent crossaint in San Diego

[caninecologne]

I like the croissants at Herb & Wood

[Kirk]

And maybe a rainbow and some butterflies Ken? Lol! I don't think it's impossible...we found a decent croissant in, of all places, CDMX!

Another one for my list CC!

[Soo]

The French Oven Bakery croissant looks good. I will have to try them.

[Cathy Greene]

For me Wayfarer is worth the drive. They are the best I've had in town, but they are well-browned.

[Kirk]

Check them out Soo!

Ok Cathy - Another vote for Wayfarer.....I'll go ASAP.