Arsicault Bakery

Took a little trip to San Francisco this past Sunday through Wednesday. The thought of going for a chocolate croissant out here crossed my mind but I didn’t act on it until Tuesday. I’m not sure whether I actually chose Arsicault Bakery in Inner Richmond or it chose me. Out of all the bakery options, I am so glad I came across this one. For some unknown reason, I immediately stopped looking at bakeries near me on yelp after seeing this bakery. The bakery was petite and very charming. It was perfect and more than enough. From the sweet display of goodies to the few seating near the kitchen you had to walk up stairs to get to, as well as seating outside. Just by glance, some may complain it’s not enough but it’s more than. My visit to Arsicault Bakery was for their chocolate croissant. To be honest I was quite skeptical of the chocolate croissants just by seeing the size of them. The size of the chocolate croissant is a bit too big. Although big, they appear as big, soft, golden crisp, flaky looking pillows on display. I had my fingers slightly crossed on being offered for my chocolate croissant to be warmed. Did not happen. Taking my first bite into the chocolate croissant, I realized it didn’t really need to be warmed up. The entire pastry wasn’t warm, but the chocolate was a bit melted, creamy, and not completely cold and hard. Leading me to the assumption that the chocolate croissant and other pastries offered have to be baked fresh in shop. This made up for not being offered to warm up the chocolate croissant. These chocolate croissants are a delight to eat. You can pick off the flaky layers and hear crispy bites as you eat the flakes. A cute flaky mess is made form devouring these chocolate croissants. So many thin, crispy flaky layers and little air bubbles are contained within one of their chocolate croissants. They are soft and not overly chewy, with crisp bites. I was left with either crumbs or chocolate at the corners of my mouth. After consuming one of Arsicault Bakery’s chocolate croissants, I needed another before I left San Francisco. I didn’t care to try another bakery near me, I wanted Arsicault. Wednesday morning, before taking off, I returned and can confirm, from whom I believe is the owner of the bakery, that the pastries are baked fresh from scratch in shop. He even said I could take a peak into the kitchen up the stairs near the seating area. This is the first bakery I’ve gone back to to get another chocolate croissant from, but I couldn’t not get another before leaving. I even had a little dancing moment with the chocolate croissant in the car, while eating it and listening to music. I initially rated this chocolate croissant an 8/10, but after actually going for another before leaving San Francisco, instead of trying a different bakery, and despite size and then thinking it over and writing out my entire review, Arsicault Bakery's chocolate croissant deserves a 9/10. Thank you so much.

06/19 & 06/20/2018