La Farine frangipane: Excellent pastry. Flaky crust topped with almonds. Inside is fluffy and light. Center has lightly sweetened almond paste. Some parts of the exterior are dark, but they're caramelized rather than burnt. Very sizable and filling for the price ($2.95). 4.5/5.0
lafarine bakery pastry almond frangipane croissant oakland exceptional 4.5
Firebrand Croissant with blackberries: Available at Asha Tea House in Berkeley, this flaky croissant has a cream-cheese spread and fresh blackberries. I found it to be surprisingly tasty, even at the end of the day after it’s likely been sitting out for a while. The cheese spread was slightly seasoned so the pastry overall wasn’t too sweet. Glad to know that Asha has quality food options on top of their teas! 4.0/5.0
recommended berkeley firebrand croissant blackberries 4.0
Vive la Tarte Zatar and Orange Blossom Croissant: I really wish I had taken a better photograph, but you'll just have to believe this was a supremely good croissant even if the photo doesn't do it justice. The orange blossom paste filling was fragrantly floral and just sweet enough, while the zatar and sesame seasoning on the exterior gave it a uniquely savory-sweet combination. The texture of the croissant was the flakiest I've had, while the interior was very soft and just a tad stretchy, without being overly buttery or rich. It was a ... (read more) 4.0/5.0
exceptional croissants pastry sanfrancisco vivelatarte zatar orange blossom croissant 4.0
Besalu Onion and Gruyere Croissant: In the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle is a small bakery called Besalu. Their sign says "handmade pastries," but they also make savory breads. This onion and gruyere bread, made from croissant dough, has all the flaky, buttery richness of a croissant mixed with the sweetness of caramelized onion and crispiness of baked gruyere. Somehow, it feels like an obvious flavor combination for baked goods, like the bread version of french onion soup, but it isn't one I've ever had before – and one ... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended seattle besalu onion gruyere croissant 4.0
Tatte Bakery Pistachio croissant: I guess I've been craving pistachio recently. This pistachio croissant from Tatte in Cambridge is dusted with crushed pistachios and had a marzipan-like sweet almond paste lightly mixed inside. Quality texture - flaky crust with a soft airy, slightly elastic interior. 3.5/5.0
recommended boston cambridge tattebakery pistachio croissant 3.5
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse California Croissant: Topped with sesame seeds, thin strips of nori, and wasabi powder and filled with smoked salmon, the California Croissant from San Francisco bakery Mr. Holmes is more interesting in concept than in execution. The best bites were ones containing minced ginger, but those were a minority. Overall, while the texture of the croissant itself was satisfying, the salmon was overcooked. The packaging is a bit of an embarrassment of riches, served in a plastic takeout container with packets of soy t... (read more) 3.0/5.0
nori salmon sanfrancisco mrholmesbakehouse california croissant 3.0