La Bakerie — Restaurant in London

La Bakerie, previously known as Nice Croissant is still under the same ownership and management so the comments below are just as applicable.

I have had to downgrade this place and quite frankly even a 1 star is way too generous after the appalling service that I received.

I have been going here for over 20 years. On a recent visit, i had my little niece with me and even though she wanted to go to Costa, after lunch, i insisted we go to Nice Croissant because the coffee was better. As it was lunchtime i was expecting it to be busy but it was surprisingly quiet. There were at least 3 empty tables. In addition some of the 4 seater tables had only single occupants.

We had just ordered my usual bevarage of double espresso with a bit of hot milk on the side and sat down. My niece wanted to have a nibble of her little fondant fancy, which she had just bought from Co-op . For some bizarre reason Nice Croissant have ceased doing their Madeleines, which is the only thing she would have had there. I myself did not have anything, to eat. While we were waiting for my coffee to arrive, she had one bite and put the box away. At this point, one of the staff (I later learned that this was the owner Fabian), came over and started complaining: That at a busy lunchtime period why was i only ordering a coffee. I was a bit taken aback. Mainly because it was clearly not that busy. Also, as it takes less than 5 minutes to drink the double espresso, we we're not planning on hanging around. He himself took my order and payment before we sat down, so he was fully aware I was having just cofffee. I did not point out to him the numerous breakfasts and lunches that i have had there, over more than 20 years.

He then had a go at me for my niece having a nibble of her French fancy. I can understand that he thought that was a bit rude but It is difficult with children and she literally had the one small bite and put it away.

The final attack was for me, quite unforgivable and very shocking. He said that what i really wanted was a flat white and had ordered a double espresso with the milk on the side to avoid paying more for a flat white.! That was the last straw for me. I said ( calmly) we were leaving and that I had been coming here for over 20 years etc. etc. I asked for my money back.

I would like to point out the following things to Fabian, (who's behaviour is somewhat ignorant and obnoxious): For over 10 years i have been ordering the same double espresso( with a bit of milk on the side), everywhere i go. It has never been an issue, including at Nice Croissant. I have tried ordering flat whites but they are not strong enough and too milky for my taste. If he wants to charge extra for the tablespoon or so of milk i require, then he should charge more at the point of sale, instead of attacking loyal customers out of ignorance and stupidity.

As a corporate lawyer, financial considerations do not affect what I order. However, I do expect to be able to purchase any beverage I want (like a double espresso), rather than having one forcibly imposed on me, that does not meet my taste requirements.

When you are a community based high st restauranteur, you have regular customers, like myself, who sometimes have breakfast, sometimes lunch and sometimes just coffee. If you have restrictions, you should point them out clearly ( e.g. min spend £10/5 during 12-2p.m.). It is NOT appropriate to attack them after you have accepted their order and taken payment for it.

Fortunately for me, there is no shortage of coffee and lunch places in Wanstead. I hope Nice Croissant will not shut down after all these years, purely because of driving loyal customers away, with hostile customer service.

In view of my recent experience, I have deleted my orginal positive review for Nice...

Headline - avoid if you are looking for a quiet place to work and rude owner who seems to upset customers.

I had an unfortunate experience today. I have been going here for years and today the owner had a problem with me bringing a laptop in the cafe and sitting on a particular table. I ended up moving to a smaller table to appease him since he said he doesn't like laptops around too much and I had sat at too big a table (the reason for this is that's the first table I saw and it was at the back and quiet and near the loo as well so not taken), although another person was there with a laptop who he had no problem with. I'm a professional who works from home and the local coffee shops are a go to for me. I paid for a drink but ended up leaving it half drunk because I felt really uncomfortable. I'm not sure how a customer who has paid for a drink should be made to feel bad about bringing a laptop in the premises, when there are no rules about this written anywhere and no other customers have a problem with it. I would suggest local professionals go to Gail's instead or the Larder or any other coffee venue in the local area. They are far more accommodating and polite. Disappointing and rather upsetting behaviour to a customer who has spent hundreds of pounds here with her friends and family over the years, supporting the small business. I may go again as I do like the food and the other staff there who make me feel welcome - it's a shame that an owner would treat a customer in such a way though.

Just to add I went to Gail's instead after for my coffee instead and mentioned what happened and they were shocked to hear of the behaviour and said very genuinely that I am welcome with my laptop anytime and were surprised that a business would make customers feel this way. I guess the point is - 1. Either advertise that you don't accept people with laptops or 2. Welcome all customers equally. Gails agreed that I should post a review - people who WFH and utilise coffee shops are loyal customers in this area who go to coffee shops for their wellbeing and not to be told off by owners after they've paid for a drink.

If the owner tries to deny this behaviour or gaslight - please kindly review the 1 star reviews on this page, it looks like many people have commented about how rude...

We are regular customers at La Bakerie and we're always impressed by the dedication, passion, and creativity of the head pastry chef and owner. He has exceptional tastebuds, an eye for presentation, and one of the most personable people we know of. If you go to France and order a lemon tart or chocolate cake, you will be disappointed because La Bakerie sources local ingredients and only the highest to be baked in the shop, from scratch. Pastries that are made in the store are not victims to humidity and temperature changes and retain their shape, taste, and quality.

Bread is also baked fresh inside La Bakerie every morning, meaning a 3am wake up call each day, just to get fresh bread to you every morning. Their crusty bread with a fluffy inside hence so much healthier than supermarket bread loaded with lots of preservatives.

Italian barista-styled espresso coffee is what I'd describe the coffee here. Their cappuccino is always frothy and nicely decorated. Next to the till, the Head Chef makes his own crunchy biscuits that pair beautifully with your coffee or you can choose a soft fluffy honey coloured Madeleine instead.

La Bakerie is exceptionally kid friendly supplying a box of a book, toy or magazine to entertain your little ones while you have an indulgent moment with your cake, tea, or coffee.

There are very few high streets today with independent shops in the UK and I've seen La Bakerie flourish in the last 5 years. La Bakerie is a community player and the locals love it so much. I've seen local art work displayed on the wall, donations of baked goods at school events, and voluntary work in the local papers, led by the head chef. We are proud to have La Bakerie on our Wanstead high street and we are privileged to such a talented, experienced, pastry chef...