Mickey T.
Yelp
NOTE: Picked up on 5/4/25. Yup, this is a same-day review so you know I really loved it! Easy to find street parking and while there will likely be a line, it moves very quickly and efficiently. You won't be rushed though, so don't worry about that! The workers are super nice and patient. They sell out of things quickly, though so get there early if you can!
Gosh, I feel like OC hasn't had a French-influenced bakery to rival the likes of La Cabra in NY (Yes, I know it's originally from Denmark). Or b. patisserie or Arsicault in SF. And while Karlo Evaristo is from Bacolod in the Philippines, he definitely knows how to masterfully prepare a variety of baked goods with not only French influences, but Japanese, Italian, Mexican, and Filipino ones as well. I haven't even finished what I ordered from there, and yet it has me planning what I want to try the next time that I'm there. It's THAT good.
Plain croissant - a good starting point and benchmark. Yes, we're looking for a crispy exterior and somewhat airy interior, but we're also looking for layering and the distinct taste of butter. The butter should taste just as layered as the croissant itself. Like a slow release of flavor that ramps up as you chew. Exemplary croissant, and I knew I was in for a treat with the other items I ordered.
Rosemary Focaccia - Even eating it as is without warming it up, it's such a joy to eat. The top is lightly salted and the rosemary is ever-present, but not overwhelming. I like how you can taste the olive oil, and the inside is not just fluffy, but has this amazing soft chew to it. Gives me the same satisfaction as biting into al dente pasta, with it being a different experience, of course. And with every chew, you can taste the beautiful fermentation that the dough has been through. Warming it up makes things even better, especially if the top has a tiny bit of crisp to it.
Blue corn masa cornbread - served like a little cupcake! Very addicting, not too sweet, not too dry. Not very crumbly and more like the texture of a good zucchini bread (like the one from Darkroom, which I should probably review). Or like Japanese baked tofu donuts a la Ring. Corn is present, but not overwhelming. If you're looking for a bit more sweetness, I think hot honey would go really well with this!
Sun dried tomato - Again, this didn't need any heat to taste delicious. Layers of flaky croissant serve as the mini "bread bowl" of sun dried tomato and cheese (couldn't quite tell what kind of cheese this was, honestly. Mild in flavor, gets more goopy when heated rather than melty, so more like a mozz if I were to compare it to anything). Basically tasted like a croissant pizza, which is great!
Ube cruffin - I was a little worried that this would be too sweet, since there's sugar all around the outside (some of it brulee'd!), and ube cream filling and a more whipped cream up top. It's definitely the sweetest item I had, but not TOO sweet. Great balance of textures, as the outside is sort of like a croissant/kouign amann, then you have a bit of ooze coming from inside and the smooth whipped cream on top. It wasn't my favorite, but you should try it once! Especially if you love ube.
Ham and butter sandwich - Baguette was delicious, if a little hard around the outside. Butter was also great, as expected, and there was these slices of tiny pickles (Cornichons? Gherkins?). The ham kinda reminded me of typical deli sliced ham, though. Not sure if I'd order this one again because of that. Or maybe I'll just add my own ham and/or cold cuts to their wonderful bread!
I'm so excited to try the sourdough and other pastries! Now I wish I started going here when it opened - my mistake for putting it off in the past.