La Noisette is a wonderful experience packed into a small space
Nestled on the corner of Carleton and 8th street, La Noisette is a cozy little bakery specializing in French-style pastries. With its warm, inviting atmosphere and incredibly friendly staff, La Noisette helped me select some of its amazing pastries to try, all at an affordable price. Let’s dive into some of their standout pastries!
Croque Crevettes – $7
My personal favorite, these corque crevettes were genuinely one of the most delicious savory pastries I’ve ever had! Filled with spicy shrimp and Béchamel sauce (a thickened mixture of butter, flour, and milk), this pastry is one to look out for. The sauce pairs perfectly with the slight spice from the shrimp, delivering a perfect blend on your tongue. This pastry is definitely worth a try if you’re a fan of shrimp, but if not, La Noisette offers a variety of alternatives that will appeal even to the pickiest of eaters.
Croissant aux Pistaches et Fraise – $5
Translating to “pistachio and strawberry croissant,” this pastry is exactly that: an amazingly flaky croissant that is filled with rich pistachio paste and chopped strawberries, then dusted with powdered sugar. The pistachio flavor in this one is quite sweet and punchy, so for those who aren’t fond of the flavor, I’d steer clear. However, for my pistachio fanatics out there, I’d recommend trying this out!
Croque Mushroom – $7
Let me tell you something about Ms.Croque Mushroom: I had a hard time distinguishing whether I liked it or loved it. While attempting to figure that out, I found myself finishing it before I knew it! The mixture of mushrooms and spinach, combined with the flaky pastry, worked beautifully! However, for those who aren’t a fan of spinach, I would skip over this one and opt for something else. Although the strong spinach flavor really adds to the pastry overall, you may need an acquired taste to appreciate its flavors.
Black Forest Ham and Brie Croissant -$7
My wonderful photographer, Abby, described this as an “elevated ham and cheese croissant,” and she was spot on. The brie was the star of this pastry, and overall, really complements the black forest ham. I’d definitely order this again.
Tiramisu Danish – $5
My favorite pastry from the sweet selection! The crisp layers of pastry really allowed for teh rich mascarpone to shine, with the perfect balance of texture and flavor. A light dusting of cocoa powder really does tie everything together, both in presentation and with a tinge of bittersweet chocolate. I’d go back just for this!
Canelé – $3.50
I’ve never had a canelé before, so this was a nice introduction. It was dense and chewy with a caramelized, crispy exterior. A genuine delight to taste— according to my photographer, who had tried a canelé before, it was delicious! La Noisette specializes in these canelés, and they did not disappoint. For such a low price, it’s a must-try!
Final thoughts
Overall, La Noisette is worth the visit if you’re in the area! La Noisette excels in its experimental flavors, and the variety ensures that there is something for everybody. Many of their patrons call La Noisette their “favorite” bakery, and it’s easy to see why. Every Item is thoughtfully made, and they’ve cultivated a welcoming community of loyal customers who return again and again. A community that I, for one, would love to be a part of. I will definitely be coming back soon to try more pastries (and snag another Croque Crevette)
