La Patisserie — Restaurant in City of Niagara Falls

Walking into La Patisserie at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (NFCI), you’re immediately greeted by the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked pastries, a scent that wraps around you like a warm embrace. The café, nestled within the bustling halls of SUNY Niagara’s culinary campus, exudes a charm that is both elegant and inviting. This isn’t just a typical bakery; it’s a showcase of student talent, where the art of pastry-making is on full display for anyone lucky enough to step inside.

As I approached the glass display case, I couldn’t help but marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors and textures before me. Each pastry was a work of art, meticulously crafted by the students under the watchful eyes of their instructors. The vibrant hues of the macarons caught my eye first—delicate shells in shades of pastel pink, mint green, and lavender, each one filled with a silky ganache that promised a burst of flavor with every bite.

I selected a few items to try, eager to experience the unique flavor profiles that La Patisserie is known for. The first was a lemon meringue tart. The golden crust was crisp and buttery, providing the perfect contrast to the tangy lemon curd that filled it. Atop the tart sat a swirl of toasted meringue, its peaks lightly browned, adding a subtle sweetness that balanced the tartness of the lemon. Each bite was a harmonious blend of textures—crunchy, smooth, and airy—making it clear that these students had mastered the delicate balance required in fine pastry-making.

Next, I moved on to a raspberry pistachio éclair. The glossy, dark chocolate glaze on top hinted at the richness within, but it was the first bite that truly captivated me. The choux pastry was light and airy, yet firm enough to hold the luscious pistachio cream filling. The sweetness of the cream was beautifully offset by the tartness of the raspberry compote that oozed out with each bite, creating a symphony of flavors that danced on my palate. The finishing touch was a sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top, adding a satisfying crunch and a vibrant pop of green that made the éclair as beautiful as it was delicious.

Of course, no visit to La Patisserie would be complete without sampling one of their famous croissants. I opted for an almond croissant, drawn in by the golden, flaky layers and the sweet almond aroma. As I bit into it, the croissant shattered in the most delightful way, scattering crumbs across the plate. Inside, a rich almond filling awaited, its sweetness tempered by the nuttiness of the toasted almonds sprinkled on top. The layers of pastry were so thin and delicate that they practically melted in my mouth, leaving behind a lingering taste of butter and almonds that I found utterly irresistible.

The café also offered a selection of more adventurous pastries, showcasing the creativity and innovation that the students are encouraged to explore. One such creation was a matcha white chocolate mousse cake, its vibrant green color standing out among the more traditional offerings. The matcha flavor was earthy and slightly bitter, providing a bold contrast to the sweetness of the white chocolate mousse that encased it. A hint of citrus in the glaze added a refreshing brightness, cutting through the richness and leaving a clean, crisp finish.

As I enjoyed my selections, I couldn’t help but admire the skill and passion that went into each pastry. The students at La Patisserie are not just learning to bake; they are learning to create, to experiment with flavors and textures, and to present their work in a way that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the taste buds. The open kitchen allowed me to watch as they worked, carefully measuring ingredients, piping delicate designs, and perfecting each creation before it was placed in the...

We went here to get a last minute birthday cake treat for my wife on her birthday. It was due to close at 4pm, we arrived at 3:50pm, ordered a little cinnamon cake and two coffees. The waitress was brusk and unfriendly and turned to the Police officer who was drinking a coffee nearby waiting to help close-up the shopping centre it’s part of and said “see, this always happens…” almost certainly referring to customers coming in close to shutting time and placing an order. As she made the coffee, she mumbled to herself about it being “almost 4pm, it’s time to go” etc. Glad we’d for the cake we went outside to eat it. A few mins later discovered she’s not given us what we clearly asked for. I went back to the shop, knocked on the now closed door which she reopened and then duly changed the cake for the one we had ordered. No apology…just brusk and discourteous. The cake itself was quite good…not the best, but certainly tasty enough. But the service was insulting. If you state you are open until 4pm, that is when you are open until. We arrived at 3:50 and we’re out within 5 mins, we didn’t deserve the disrespectful manner in which we...

An incredible experience if you're looking for a light dessert with coffee or just hot water the way I like it, I had the Rosemary gruyere scone. It had a delicate rosemary flavor with a hin mild gruyere flavor giving it a well-balanced taste with a nice crust that just melted in your mouth. This was fantastic. My daughter had the stuffed cherry croissant and after stealing a piece I found it to be not too sweet and a really excellent balance between the creme fraiche and the Cherry filling. All in all a wonderful stop and having also tasted the Cookie monster gelato was also an excellent pick even though it wasn't my cup of tea. This is located in a culinary institute and you can tell by their attention to detail and the friendliness of the students who are running the La...