Michael U.
Yelp
Items Tasted:
Jesuite
Apple Pecan Tart
Canele
Madeline
Chocolate Pistachio Snail
Red Fruit Snail
Butter Croissant
Told by an elderly local the day prior that Bordeaux's best pastry was an rustic tart sold at a place simply known as La Boulangerie near Basilique Saint-Michel it was with breakfast plans slightly altered that the small shop on Rue des Faures was visited, the smell of wood ovens perceivable at a distance while yeasty notes drifted lazily in the air.
Certainly more obvious in its placement than other bakeries, the open square surrounding the church dotted with several cafes and stores, my 7h30 arrival found a small queue snaking to the sliding glass door and stepping aside to let locals pass as I perused the options the temptations proved quite copious, my eventual order featuring a half dozen standouts plus one dud.
Always benefited by an early morning, four of the selections still warm to the touch, it was with a slightly dense core that the croissant was presented, yet but with ample notes of butter the flavor was on point while the citrusy madeline featured execution so perfect that it would have made Alain Ducasse blush and Proust weak in the knees.
Not offering an almond croissant, the sugar topped Jesuite a poor stand-in as frangipane had melted through the base leaving the rectangular object dry and dense, a return to form was found in two golden coils wound tightly around fruit, nuts, and chocolate, the bright red version delightfully bracing in its sourness while the neon green escargot wad expectedly quite rich.
Hopeful that the best had been saved for last, though neither the tart nor canele were amongst the options purchased hot, bites of the latter found the exterior amongst the most crunchy tasted to date and although the custard was more firm than some may think appropriate the taste was still textbook, the mellow vanilla a perfect segue to object that I'd come for, each bite finding the sweetness of roast apples married to toasted pecans by a flaky charred crust.
