European Pastry in St. Paul

Living in St. Paul, we have access to amazing cuisine from all over the world.  You name it, you can eat it here.  Greek, Italian, Nepali, Korean, Japanese, Mediteranean, Indian, Mexican....it's all here.

And just a few blocks from my house, there is a pastry chef who was trained in Europe, and turns out the most incredible baked goods you will ever put on a doily lined china plate.

Her name is Deb, and I got to know her by stopping in for fresh croissants, amazing caramel rolls, and perfectly flaky kolacki.  She has watched Charlie grow (and fed him the most incredible chocolate frosted cupcakes you will ever wrap your lips around). She has been around for several successful years, keeping our neighborhood supplied with cakes for all of the special occasions in our lives.  Graduations, baptisms, weddings and birthdays, she can do it.  Having a party?  Celebrating the grand opening or anniversary of a business?  She can take care of you.  Always with a smile, and often with a hug.  She helps local schools with fundraisers, and makes a point to step out of her kitchen to greet her customers, many of whom she knows by name.

She takes care of our daily needs too, whether it's a fruit scone with a latte, or a bowl of homemade soup, or a meltingly yummy grilled pannini sandwich.  Or a pat on the back if it looks like you are having a bad day.

Sneaky Heather called and ordered me a birthday cake from Deb this year.  Oh my. Three layers of cake soaked in lemon curd, and filled with the lightest buttercream and topped with fresh fruit.  We picked it up on the Saturday of our adventure weekend, and it just happened that we needed some more fuel to continue on with our day.  Here, Heather demonstrates the proper way to enjoy a piece of Key Lime Pie.

To my joy and delight Mari was back at work (that's my cake she's holding!) 

Do you remember Mari?  She suffered a horrific accident that I blogged about here.
http://ohfercute.blogspot.com/2008/09/random.html

and here:
http://ohfercute.blogspot.com/2008/11/mari-update.html
I have been keeping tabs on her progress, what this young lady has been through in the last two years is unimaginable.  And still, she smiles, and proudly shows off her new leg, and is back working at a job she loves.  What an indominatable spirit.

I love supporting local businesses.  And La Patisserie is one of the very best. 

Head to the corner of Randolph and Hamline, and just east of the Irish shop is La Patisserie.  And the earlier you go, the better the chance that you will have a great selection.  She bakes from scratch, every day, and everything is as fresh as it can possibly be.  Will you have a chocolate croissant?  An eclair?  Perhaps a slice of the strawberry cake roll?  Or a melt-in-your-mouth caramel bar?  She is open Mon. through Fri. from 6:30 am to 5 pm, and on Saturday from 7 am until 3 pm.The selections change regularly, and seasonally.  Before you know it, you will be a regular too.

(and tell Deb Kristi says hello!)

Photos courtesy of Miss Heather Hanson