Croissants de France — Restaurant in Florida

Hidden Jem on Stock Island.

We are just visiting for the long weekend from Colorado. We love French Bakeries and had to try this jem of a restaurant for breakfast.

The interior is very cute, clean, and simplicity at it's best. It is well appointed.

They have air condition inside bistro style seating and a lovely private patio.

The staff is very friendly and courteous. They even were nice enough to give us coupon to use at their other location on Duval.

They have espresso machine, drip coffee, and tea selection. We tried carmel Macchiato and cafe mocha both very delicious. We also had the bannana chocolate croissant and cream filled beignet both were very good. The display case had a great selection and makes you want to eat one of everything.

We feel they price their food perfectly.

We had a lovely conversation with one of the locals and she has been coming here since they opened their location here. They supply fresh baked goods to local restaurants around the islands.

Definitely ignore those very few bad reviews. May be those other reviewers were having a bad day or...

I really wish I would've taken photos of our food, as it was super disappointing. Having been to Paris France, there's no comparison.

Coffee tasted like gas station coffee and even came from a gas station coffee dispenser.

We got the traditional sandwich which was a decent size, and had a good amount of meat and cheese, but was partially cold and the croissant was burnt from the panini press (which I don't think you should press a croissant. You lose all the flakiness!).

The fruit tart crust was hard as a rock. The filing appeared curdled (prbly from being frozen then thawed). The fruit was ok.

They forgot my husband's coffee, and offered us a free pudding as a sorry. Which was a very nice gesture. But the pudding was very burnt... So we didn't even enjoy that.

They say this is a local place. Maybe bc it's convenient? I really don't get it. Maybe we tried the wrong things? For $30 we were hoping for more...

Also, nothing is made fresh. It's either shipped in frozen or day old. And the gal checking us out said she doesn't like any of their sandwiches when asked which one we...

Espresso… they do NOT know espresso. Trying to get a quad 16oz mocha. Inconceivable!

Croissants are DELICIOUS!!

I asked if they made a quad as I did not see two pulled. “This is a single”, as she held up the single basket, “This is a double”, as she held up the double basket. Yes, I would like a quad… two doubles. By this time, the lead lady, ¿manager? was involved and she explained to the initial barista who shrugged her shoulders. The manager said, “It would be better if you indicate up front.” I did say QUAD. The barista then poured out part of the drink to make room for the second double. No! I exclaimed. Remake it! Must be the new math. How does she expect to make a quad mocha after pouring out half of that already prepared?! So, the manager took over and made me a quad, but I had to ask for the chocolate. After all this… it was terrible! As observed… no preparation of the basket and no cleaning of portafilter.

I hope the pastries 🥐 make me come back and...