Janjou Pâtisserie — Restaurant in Idaho

I don’t live in Boise, but my goodness, Janjou certainly makes me wish that I did! Would I drive fours again to just visit this paradise on earth that is a patisserie! Oh my ears and whiskers, why yes I most certainly would!!

The interior is spotlessly clean, charming, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable.

Janjou offers a slice of heaven on earth with their fine pastries! This little shop is intimate (so do please be respectful of the sign on the door that limits the number of people in the store at a time). Though during the warmer times of the year there is a delightful outdoor eating area that will make you feel as though you have been transplanted from Boise to somewhere much more exotic and romantic! This would be an ideal spot for a first date, or a special light meal out, or for just you daily dose of sweet delights.

The hazelnut choux au craquelin pastry that I had was an almost holy experience! (I may have been transported to a state of nirvana briefly.) The hazelnut cream and then the candied chestnut on top did a tap dance on my tastebuds! I nearly wept into my pastry it was “that good!”

I also had a slice of quiche with greens on the side. (If you order this prepare to wait for a bit as they heat it up in the OVEN! No bloody microwave here my dears! This ensures that you quiche is not only hot but that the crust remains crisp and light). It was single-handedly that very best piece of quiche I have experienced in my life! Yes it was an experience! Gorgeously silky smooth cheesy egg custard with fresh (not frozen) spinach made it fluffy and light on the tongue and contrasted deftly with the thin flaky crust.

Finally, to top it all off it was lovely as we were checked in on by Moshit herself, the genius behind all of this tasty magic. I watched as she checked in on customers taking time to greet return customers like friends and seeing how new people were doing as well.

I have not had such good pastry since being in London and Paris, so to find something like this in Boise was a charming surprise. Do try Janjou I cannot recommend it enough. It is worth making a trip for! It was truly a lovely and transcendent food experience and I wish I could give it more...

Boise is fortunate to have this amazing French bakery. Owner Moshit Mizrachi-Gabbitas is a two-time semi-finalist in the “Best Baker” category by the James Beard Foundation. Here are some her amazing desserts. Clockwise from top, right:

Lola ($8) - shortbread crust, pistachio cake, raspberry confit, pistachio, Chantilly, fresh raspberry. This is one of my favorite desserts from Janjou. Everything about it is perfection.

Parisian Flan ($6.50) - baked custard cake with vanilla bean. This flan is also available made with 64% dark chocolate. This classic French Custard Tart is my favorite dessert from Janjou. I love both the vanilla and chocolate flan, but vanilla is my favorite. Get both!  Austrian Cheesecake ($6.75) -  almond crust, cream, cheese, lemon zest, vanilla, sour cream.  This is another one of my favorite desserts from Janjou.  Austrian cheesecake is fluffier, lighter and less sweet than most cheesecakes. This is the best cheesecake in Idaho.

Grenobloise ($8.50) - almond chocolate crust, 70%, dark, chocolate ganache, soft, caramel pecans. If you like chocolate truffles, you are going to love this pastry. It is very rich and chocolatey.

Opera ($9) - chocolate cake, dark chocolate cremeux, milk chocolate glaze, coffee Chantilly, almonds. This is my favorite of the two chocolate desserts photographed.

Apple Tart ($7) - butter almond crust, almond cream, apple, compote, crumble. If you like Dutch apple pie, you’re going to love it. 

Lemon Tart ($8) - almond butter crust, lemon cream, and meringue. This is one of my favorite desserts from Janjou.  if you like lemon desserts, you’re going to love it.  The sweet/tart flavor remindsme of Key Lime pie, but made with lemon.

Laurel ($8.50) - shortbread crust, almond cake, raspberry confit, Tonka bean Chantilly, fresh raspberry.  It also has the tiniest bit of lime zest on top. Tonka bean is somewhat reminiscent of vanilla, but it’s not vanilla. This is the only Tonka bean infused dessert I’ve seen in Idaho.  .

Highly...

If I were scoring solely based on quality of their food, I could give a five, because they are delicious. BUT, I think a good customer experience is just as important, if not more important, so I came here to share ours. On Friday, I picked up my mom who is visiting and I called around to local bakeries to ask if they have any vegan options (she's vegan). I called Jan Jou probably 4 times during business hours and no one picked up. They did call me back in about 10 mins which was nice. I asked whether they had any vegan dishes/pastries & was told they have at least 3 options but if we wanted to try them, to come early to ensure they have enough. Saturday morning, we went over there and waited in a line out front for 15 mins or so only to find out when we were able to get inside that they "don't have any vegan options" 🤨 I was so confused and disappointed, given I had just called the day before about this, so I said "are you sure? I just spoke to someone here and was told you have a few." & the staff was like, no vegan, sorry. They didn't even look sympathetic that they completely wasted our time. Just like, "next!" Seriously, WTH. I felt so bad for my mom and embarrassed to have wasted our time waiting there. Ended up getting vegan donuts at Guru. So grateful for them!

I wont return to Jan Jou after this. I'm so disappointed. Besides, the one thing I really loved on their pastry list was the "Milky Way" (chocolate tart filled with salted caramel), which they've completely re-vamped and it's not nearly the same. Bummer all around for us,...