Tartine — Restaurant in The Hague

Following the reviews I went to this place and bought vanilla flan. It was very disappointing. It actually made me angry. The pastry base is totally undercooked, and soggy, which can clearly be seen in the photos that I uploaded. I could clearly see the specks of the vanilla beans in the custard, which I thought was a good sign, as it indicated to me that they used real vanilla pods. But then I couldn't taste almost any vanilla, it just had a stale, bland and fatty (I wanna say) flavour. If they used real vanilla, this means that the flan is so stale that it can't be tasted. It's really sad.

Update:

The owner responded (see below) less than an hour after I posted my review. Clearly, the business is thriving if he can dedicate so much time to addressing negative feedback so elaborately—and even inviting critics to say it to his face. And then what? Is he going to fight us? Is he 12 years old? It’s absurd.

To be honest, one reason I decided to try his products was precisely his spirited responses to other negative reviews. I thought, here’s someone proud of his work. But after tasting the flan, it’s clear his confidence is all attitude and no substance. Instead of spending time arguing with customers online, he might consider taking a patisserie workshop in Paris to improve his technique—or at least sampling authentic patisserie to refine his palate, as some of us have done.

I won’t be returning—not just because I fear what his other products might be like if this flan is his bestseller and his personal favourite, but also because I wouldn’t feel safe voicing my honest opinion to...

I bought a macaron from here today which was incredibly stale and nothing like how a macaron should be. I went back after taking a bite and showed the owner, I was told it was because it had been in the fridge and that after ‘30 minutes it should soften’. Considering it was like a tough cookie texture, I was disappointed that the owner would not be upfront about selling an unsatisfactory product. I will not be returning.

Update : In response to the owner’s comments, I did tell him and show how hard the macaron was but he insisted that was normal. It’s not. Their products are expired and they make excuses...

I have had the flan, gâteau basque, and the éclairs (vanille, chocolat, pistache). Absolutely everything was amazing. I've tried the French pastries around in the area and I recommend here the most as the portions, taste, quality is top notch.

I am so glad to have discovered the place and as coming from Tokyo with many French pastries and personally have friends who are patisserie chefs from France, I approve.

The flan yes was amazing and what is the fuss of the negative reviews about them?

Long live Tartine, and Denis I hope to have more of your quality products soon! :D

Bon courage et à...