Craving a Croissant in St. Louis

Craving a Croissant in St. Louis

Designer shoes and wedding cakes, La Patisserie Chouquette
Fanciful cakes

Yesterday morning I had a hankering for a good croissant – you know the kind I mean – the buttery, soft, crisp, flaky, salty, melt-in-your-mouth kind that you find in Paris. The type where (if you are not careful) the layers of crispness shatter in your hands leaving crumbs all over your shirt! But here I was in St Louis where, notwithstanding having been part of the Louisiana Purchase, the French influence is hard to find.

The interior of La Patisserie Chouquette
Macaron case, La Patisserie Chouquette

What to do?

Well, let me tell you a secret that really shouldn’t be one. In fact, we should be shouting from the rooftops about this little treasure. Here in St. Louis there is a place where you can get that type of croissant and much more, and it even has a French name — La Patisserie Chouquette, the brain-child of New Orleans-born Pastry chef, Simone Faure.

Translated loosely, and in its simplest form, the chouquette (a viennoisserie) is a circle of choux pastry filled with custard or cream. It can be as basic or as fancy as the chef desires. Here it is the basis of the name of this delightful café and, of course, chouquettes are among the many pastries available. The flavors change almost daily. When I bought mine, they were filled with peaches and cream.

La Patisserie Chouquette, St. Louis
Peaches and Cream Chouquettes,

But these delectable little pastries seem almost pedestrian next to the fanciful cakes you see in the glass cabinet – cakes made in the shape of designer shoes with spike heels; cakes made to look like a Hermes handbag; for the younger generation, a neon-colored sneaker. And then there are the wedding cakes – fanciful, theatrical, ethereal creations that combine textures and flavors and are as much art as cake.

Lime Eclair from Patisserie Chouquette
Lime eclair

And let’s not forget the macarons – hand-made in delightful flavors. The showcase greets you as you enter with at least six flavors to choose from including such mouth-watering combinations as Lavender Mascarpone and Key Lime. As with everything else in the shop, the flavors change daily based on the whims of the Chef.

That is not all.  One of my favorite places in New York City is our favorite English Tea Shop, Tea and Sympathy, where on any given afternoon you can treat yourself to a pot of tea with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries.

Enjoying a piece of frangipani torte and a cup of coffee for breakfast
A slice of frangipani torte and a cup of latte, La Patisserie Chouquette, St. Louis, Missouri

Imagine my surprise to find that Patisserie La Chouquette serves afternoon tea on Saturdays (by reservation only from 11 to 1 pm). The tea menu changes regularly but the favorites are there – English cucumber sandwiches, Egg salad, Salmon. Then there are scones with Sweet butter and jam, mini fruit tarts, crème puffs, and other morsels. What a treat!

But back to that croissant – the morning I wandered into La Chouquette, they were all sold out! Oh dear! I suppose a return visit is required.

I am sure St. Louis has many other treasures but La Patisserie Chouquette is a winner! Be sure to look for it if you are traveling to St. Louis.

Earl Gray cookies_LR_DSC0330_5051IF YOU Go

1626 Tower Grove Avenue
St. Louis, MO
314-932-7935
Open Tues- Friday 9 am to 2 pm; Saturday 9 am to 5 pm.
www.simonefaure.com

 

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