Jason F.
Yelp
I came to Alexander's Patisserie for their viral flat croissant, and I wound up falling in love with their elegant desserts, sumptuous tiramisu, and velvety coffee. Alexander's Patisserie comes from the same team that has brought Alexander's Steakhouse and ONE65 to the region. Honestly, I have only heard of Alexander's Patisserie thanks to their signature flat croissant, which for the past few months is the only thing that everyone is talking about online from social media to food blogs. So when I was in the Mountain View area on weeknight evening, and I found out that they were the rare café that not only opens early but opens late as well, I knew I had to make a visit to Alexander's Patisserie. Located on a busy stretch of Castro Street in Mountain View, the street remains closed to traffic, so finding parking for a simple pastry and coffee run could be a challenge, but I managed to get lucky as there was a space on nearby Villa Street, which serves as a main thoroughfare for automobiles that crosses Castro Street. After walking around the bustling neighborhood, I managed to make my way into Alexander's Patisserie, and there wasn't a major crowd nor were all of their table inside their restaurant area filled, so I was happy to order my pastries for the road while also taking a moment to enjoy everything that I would acquire that evening, especially since it was it was still dusk outside.
The beverage menu is quite eclectic at Alexander's Patisserie, as they have your traditional coffee drinks with drip coffees, espressos, cappuccinos and the like, and they have a tea service, including tea for two, in addition to wine and beer. Upon checking in on my Yelp app, I realized that you could get one free coffee with any purchase, and when I asked their café associate if this deal was still being honored, she said it was so I had the option of a regular drip coffee or an Americano and I ordered the latter. I love that Alexander's Patisserie has all of their available desserts displayed in a glass case ready to admire and drool over, and there was something about their elegant domed Harmony pastry that was calling my name. Made with dark chocolate and hazelnut mousse, served on a bed of hazelnut sponge cake. This dessert, which was fourteen dollars, was so classy that I didn't want to break the shell of its exterior. I also noticed they were serving a couple of different desserts placed in plastic jars with lids and I ordered their Tiramisu in a jar. And of course, since I came for their Flat Croissants, their croissant dipped in a mango flavored hard chocolate.
With three packed desserts in my takeout paper bag and a coffee in a takeout paper cup, I decided to stay and take in the atmosphere. With the WiFi having an easily accessible signal didn't hurt too much either, as I would see a number of visitors enjoying themselves with a warm drink and pastry. And I simply couldn't resist taking a bite of my Mango Flat Croissant, which was buttery and flaky, it was definitely more cookie-like than anything croissant-like. My total bill was 37.10 dollars before gratuity was added in, which was definitely on the higher price point side, and that did include the complimentary coffee. Upon my return home, I was able to enjoy my Harmony cake and Tiramisu and they were both elegant and delectable at the same time, and were the real stars of this trip to Alexander's Patisserie. Of course being so late in the evening, I couldn't finish my coffee beverage and so I saved it for the following morning to be reheated and it tasted just as velvety smooth as when I drank a few sips the evening before. I cannot wait to return and try their elegant tea pairing with the wide variety of global teas they have. It sounds as good as advertised, because at Alexander's Patisserie, you may come for the buzz but you will leave with so much more with every visit.