Earlier this week, my friend La Duchesse invited me for coffee at Fous Desserts, a tiny patisserie and chocolaterie on rue Laurier, a couple of blocks east of the métro station. For some reason, I'd never gone in, in spite of passing the storefront many times on my way to the métro.
What an omission.
We had coffee, which was excellent, and split two sable cookies - one, a Breton, was simply crunchy, perfectly cooked sugar and butter; the other was more refined: a thin chocolate wafer with some sort of crunchy inclusions, topped with a dark chocolate glaze and a hint of raspberry. But these little delicacies weren't the discovery of the day.
That belongs to the croissants, which have been rated the best in the city. I took home two, and J. and I ate them together. Silently. Ecstatically. And that was in the evening, half a day after the croissants had been made.
This morning, which was quite cold, we bundled up and rode our bikes along a detour from our usual studio route, in order to stop at Fous Desserts to buy two more freshly-made croissants. After purchasing them we looked around the shop at their other offerings, every one of which looks pretty much to die for.
I stayed to take a few photos while J. rode back to the studio. You'd better hurry, he said, putting the bag into his backpack.
I got there just in time.
These really are the best croissants I've ever eaten - in Montreal or Paris or anywhere. I wish I could share them with you -- but I guess you'll just have to come and visit!
In the meantime, if you'd like to see the master bakers of Fous Desserts in action, here's a video (there are more at the website). It's a dangerous place. You've been warned.
Thanks for the recommendation! I will try for sure
Posted by: Magda | October 25, 2013 at 11:01 AM
OMG! I am so jealous. And I'm not exaggerating!
Posted by: Hattie | October 25, 2013 at 09:56 PM
I must confess that I have never seen the joy of croissants. But jolly glad you partook, and having partaken, enjoyed.
Posted by: Tom | October 26, 2013 at 07:02 AM
As they say, the first one's free!
Anyone who loves the inelcutable frisson of good butter-laced baking will be licking the crumbs you left on that plate.
Posted by: Duchesse | October 26, 2013 at 07:16 PM
Oh, Beth, these look so glorious -- I am wildly envious!
Posted by: Rachel Barenblat | October 27, 2013 at 03:25 PM
You're killing me!
Posted by: mary | October 27, 2013 at 09:55 PM
they make very good croissant.
Have you ever tasted the ones from les Co'pains d'Abord on Rachel street ?. They are very good too.
Posted by: Eric Goeury | October 28, 2013 at 08:57 AM
Tomorrow world peace, the day after F in alt.
Posted by: Roderick Robinson | October 29, 2013 at 12:32 PM