Overall Rating: 9/10
Over the holiday break, my family and I visited La Boulangerie. With its dark brick and awnings, I was instantly transported to Paris before even setting foot into the cafe. “The Bread Bakery,” as it’s translated in English, is situated near the Q64 bus line and is a great place for Townsend Harris students to sit and study while getting a quick bite to eat. I would recommend getting there as early as possible because some items sell out quickly in the morning.
As it was a cold December day, I opted for the warm and comforting French onion soup. The sweet, caramelized onions were not overpowering and balanced well with the savory beefy broth. I was initially worried about how the soup would travel, considering how the cheese and bread shell are only possible in a sit-down restaurant setting. However, the staff had a perfect solution! They packed an ample amount of bread cubes and gruyere cheese separately, which topped off the hot soup perfectly. The only criticism I have about this delicious soup is that it had a bit too much wine. Despite this, I would give the dish an 8 out of 10, as the serving size was substantial and the ingredients were of high quality. Had the wine taste been milder and less potent, the dish probably would have been closer to a 10/10.
For dessert, I chose their signature chocolate mousse verrine, which was light and airy. It was rich, fluffy, and quite literally melted in my mouth! It is very difficult to find a mousse which is not too overwhelming to the palette. Sometimes, chocolate that is too dark can taste bitter, but La Boulangerie nailed it! I paired the mousse with a decadent hot chocolate. The thick hot chocolate coated my tongue and warmed me up from the inside out. Yes, clearly, I’m a chocoholic.
My mom chose the quiche Lorraine, which consisted of ham, cheese, and onion. It was perfectly creamy and had plenty of ham — something that many quiches lack. It was seasoned well, and most importantly, the bottom crust was crispy. This is important as, oftentimes, many quiches don’t bake well on the bottom and the crust remains soggy. This shows the care and thought La Boulangerie invests into their baking process — they consider everything. As for drinks, my mom opted for a matcha latte, which was smooth and not too bitter nor too sweet. The flavor of the matcha balanced well with the milk, and the drink had a pleasant, frothy consistency.
La Boulangerie also boasts some of the best croissants around. Now, I know I already mentioned I’m a chocoholic, but I am also obsessed with croissants. Their chocolate croissant is simply divine. The croissant is filled with chocolate throughout — from the first bite to the last. In my experience, most croissants have just a little nugget of chocolate somewhere inside, but that is not the case here at La Boulangerie. Similar to the quiche, the texture is perfect. That first bite of the outer shell is crunchy and chocolatey. As you get to the middle, you continue to taste that soft, gooey chocolate and still hear that satisfying crunch. Most importantly, the croissant is incredibly buttery. La Boulangerie is, first and foremost, a bread bakery, and so we did take home a loaf of their signature sourdough bread. As expected, the crust was thick and crackly, and the middle was airy yet just dense enough — perfect for slathering some butter on!
I am convinced that had I ordered any more of their many pastry, bread, or lunch options, I would have been absolutely and thoroughly satisfied. They clearly think about every detail of the items they make — whether it’s chocolaty enough, crispy enough, buttery enough, or creamy enough. They take pride in everything they produce for their customers. And I am clearly now a customer for life.
