I was pretty surprised at the response to my "Croissant Files" post back in October. I was great to get some recommendations, two of which I had on my list and one that was totally new to me. This should actually be one of those "R(ecommendations) & R(equests)" type of posts, but I decided not to wait. So here goes.
Wayfarer Bread:
I had Wayfarer on my list for a while and just really didn't want to make the effort to drive there. But, after recommendations from Red Devil and Cathy Greene....well, I needed to visit. And to be perfectly honest, driving up to Bird Rock really isn't that bad early on a weekend, which is when I went. Though there was already a line formed when I arrived at around 745....one very nice fellow was in line letting people go in front of him since folks aren't allowed to order breakfast sandwiches before 8 am and he wanted a breakfast sandwich.
I ordered a croissant and an Americano for me and one pastry to go; which I dropped off for the Missus.
CathyG had mentioned the croissants are "well-browned".....no kidding....
This was way too dark and over-baked; it basically exploded when I bit into it. That exterior is far past flaky. The layers are a bit too dry; though the interior is nice and light.
I also appreciate a nice "sheen" to the pastry, which this one didn't have.
Good balance of butter and salt; with just the hint of sweetness, and a whiff of yeast. Of all the croissants we've had in San Diego so far this is the Missus's favorite.
I've returned twice since this visit and I think the explosive nature of the croissant is the M.O. here.
Wayfarer Bread & Pastry
5525 La Jolla Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92037
Hours:
Daily 730am - 3pm
O'Brien's Boulangerie:
"Vickie" made this recommendation. Even though Cathy did a post back in December of 2018, I'd never have thought to look in a mostly office park/industrial area of Poway for a Croissant.
I also really liked the folks working; so very friendly early on a Saturday morning.
The place was quiet when I arrived right past 7am, but quickly filled up.
Like Wayfarer, I ordered an Americano, a croissant for me, and one to go which I dropped off for the Missus at work.
This one had a slightly fluffy, though almost too moist interior and needed a bit more butter and salt, though it was fairly yeasty, with a mild, though not overly sweet interior. The dough had a decent stretch, but again felt a bit too wet.
The exterior wasn't flaky enough and it lacked that perfect middle ground of flaky and mildly crisp. Better than the croissants from my previous post.
The Missus however, wasn't impressed......
O'Brien's Boulangerie
13615 Stowe Drive
Poway, CA 92064
Hours:
Mon -Fri 7am - 4pm
Sat 7am - 3pm
Closed on Sunday
So, I've got a couple more places on the list. Any recommendations are welcomed.
And....if you're wondering what our current favorite croissant is in Paris....well, as of our most recent trip it's this one.
Which actually won the Best Croissant au Buerre in Paris for 2018. We walked a mile-and-a-half each way twice for this baby on our last trip to that city.
Our favorite from our previous trips, just didn't measure up this time....though I'm sure we'll be back to check them out again.
Anyway, thanks again for the recommendations Cathy Greene, Red Devil, and Vickie!
The search continues!
Wow that one from Paris looks nothing like the croissants I've encountered.
Posted by: Junichi | Wednesday, 08 January 2020 at 08:17 AM
It was a beautiful thing Junichi!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 08 January 2020 at 08:32 AM
Thanks for trying Wayfarer. I rarely go because it’s far for me but maybe that’s a good thing with New Year resolutions. Happy 2020!
Posted by: RedDevil | Wednesday, 08 January 2020 at 02:58 PM
croissants in paris so good !
Posted by: kat | Wednesday, 08 January 2020 at 11:17 PM
Herb 'n Eatery?
Posted by: James | Thursday, 09 January 2020 at 04:38 AM
Happy 2020 to you too RD!
That one was amazing Kat!
In the queue James!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 09 January 2020 at 06:35 AM
I appreciate your trying out Wayfarer-sorry it exploded on you. As I think about it, I believe I've always had one of the flavored croissants--I especially enjoy the almond ones. I'm glad the Missus enjoyed hers.
Posted by: Cathy Greene | Thursday, 09 January 2020 at 01:27 PM
Thanks for the recommendation Cathy. In terms of the overall croissant, this is our current favorite. We've had it a couple of times already...
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 09 January 2020 at 01:38 PM