Boulangerie Poilâne — Restaurant in Paris

Finally! I've made it to Poilane! So many times I wanted to, was just around the corner, but never made it. This time, I made sure. For any person who's into baking bread, eating good bread, talking about good bread, the Poilane is a cult location. It was rainy October morning, a few people standing outside in a line. While waiting outside, I admired the display of apple tarts and turnovers in the window, bread display on the right wall, and souvenirs on the left. Once inside, I ordered an apple tart and some sliced bread. The man before me asked to slice a new boule - dark and crusty, exactly how I like it. So I got my hand on about 1/3 of that boule. The service is typical Parisian - a little cold, but nothing out of ordinary. My biggest "ouch " moment was with their bakery logo cloth bag that I was eyeing from the outside. It cost a whooping 38€. I decided I could go without. I guess it's a perfect example of the case when first you work for your name, and later, your name works for you. Anyhow - to the bread. The apple tart is nothing to write home about. Not bad, but laminated dough is not this place strongest point. It's on a home baker level. The bread in its turn is wonderful! Nice crunchy crust, may be just a little too thick for someone's liking. The crumb is a nice golden hue color, without big holes, just what you need for a good sandwich. The taste and aroma are 10/10. I brought some home to NY. It was met with appreciation and praise. So I definitely recommend stopping by and trying the Poilane bread. I hope I can be...

Was really looking forward to experience this bakery after reading about it. Also wanted to get the book and little booklets they just released. Upon arriving at the bakery, my husband went to see what they have for breakfast (as we had seen online some delicious looking options). He was just pointed at a board, even though he spoke to the lady in French, and there were only croissant and coffee options there. I was still very excited that I am finally there, we ordered their special and turned to the book and other merchandise sitting behind us. At the second we touched the book and pamphlets the lady that previously had zero interest in talking to us, came over very rapidly took the book and pamphlets from my hands and explained that they could get ruined if people were to all touch and look at it. We took the croissants and asked where we can sit down (there was one man sitting down at the big round communal table and eating his pastry) and the lady said that this is only if we would be eating so we have to leave?! So we did and I left without buying any bread or the book. This was our baby moon and we had chosen it to be a culinary adventure one - where we visited all the amazing bakeries, restaurants and cafes of Paris. Nowhere had anyone been so rude and without any reason!! The pastries were good, but I would definitely recommend the ones at Du Pain te des Idees as a more full flavoured and better...

If you've never had a baguette from a bakery in Paris, you have not quite yet lived. If you are American, you are in for something very different from anything you've ever had before. "Sublime" does not quite describe it, but it comes close. Among the top bakeries (boulangeries) in Paris, Bakery Poilane (yes, the name has an English word in it) has been making absolutely legendary baguettes, hearty pain de campagne and other baked treats for decades. I used to visit there in the mid 1970's, before dawn, to bring home divine baguettes still warm from the oven. When we visited in Summer 2014, I am delighted to report that their skill has not diminished one whit. We visited in the afternoon, when they were sadly out of baguettes, so we purchased various other items instead: pain de campagne, apple turnovers, and a few other breads. The breads were wonderful, but the apple turnovers were—flat out—the most divine pastries I have ever had in my life. The crust was crispy yet melt-in-your-mouth flaky. The apples, recognizable as classic French compote de pomme, were the perfect complement: sweet as candy, but without any added sugar. I don't normally get excited over apple-flavored baked goods, but these were positively heavenly. Bakery Poilane remains a destination all its own in the heart of Paris, filled with magic and joyful...