Sucrose Bakery — Restaurant in Saint Charles

This is technically a 4-star review, but only because I have absurdly high expectations—and Sucrose basically meets all of them. So yes, I knocked off a star, but it’s for something petty and probably irrelevant to most people. Just needed to say that upfront.

I don’t know exactly where Agi is from, but she clearly knows her way around a European bakery. Maybe she’s American, maybe her family just has serious roots in Europe, I don’t know. What I do know is that this is the only place I’ve seen outside of France that actually sells canéles. And not only do they sell them—they’re better than the ones we used to get at our bakery in France. Same with the quiche. I genuinely dream about it. Like actual daydreams. It’s rich, perfect, and better than what we had back home.

Now before you assume our old French bakery was mediocre—no. That place was so good it put five other bakeries out of business. Their baguettes were legendary. So when I say Sucrose is on that level (and sometimes better), I’m not exaggerating.

La Bonne Bouchée tries. It was started by a Frenchman, but… yeah. The baguettes are sad. The croissants are too tidy. If I don’t leave with flakes all over me and a mild sense of regret for not bringing a lint roller, it’s not a real croissant. Sucrose gets that. Their croissants are the only ones I’ve had in the U.S. that actually taste and feel like real croissants.

So why the missing star? The price. $5.25 for one croissant is hard to swallow. I get it—they’re using the good stuff, and it’s a real croissant, not the weird grocery store versions—but still. I’ve bought the same imported French butter from Whole Foods. I’ve made croissants with it. You can get like 8 out of one block. But, they’ve cornered the market, and it shows. I keep buying them anyway and immediately complain to my husband every time. It’s a ritual now, and I will never stop.

Also, the macarons had a bit too much air once. That’s literally it. I’m nitpicking.

All that said, we love Sucrose. My husband is French and it actually feels like home to him when we go. We’ve never been disappointed. I tell everyone about this place. Just maybe go in knowing you’re going to need a second mortgage for a box of pastries, but it’s worth it. It...

Sucrose is the best bakery in the greater St. Louis area. Period. Their staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful. The locally roasted coffee (Blueprint) is fantastic. They also have plenty of options for those with dietary restrictions (GF, dairy free, etc.). In the dozens of times I have gone here, I have never had something that was not fantastic. The quiche lorraine, NY coffee cake, blueberry muffins, and macarons are some of my favorites, but that list is much, much longer. Treat yourself and go on Saturday mornings when they really go all out. Bacon, cheddar, and caramelized onion croissants, sticky buns, whole loaves of bread, amazing specials using ingredients from their garden, and so much more. During the holidays they sell whole pies and other desserts. Their apple pie is truly special and I will continue to buy it every Thanksgiving. I have been going there since they were at their old location (and also had a different name- Four Seasons Bakery), and will continue to frequent their establishment until I am no longer physically able. Thank you...

It's so good I almost don't want to risk giving it the five star review it easily deserves, for fear that too many people will find out about this incredible offering. Not only is everything that I have eaten here effortlessly elegant in it's presentation it is all stop-and-give thanks delicious. To date I have been three times. I have tried and loved all of the flavors of macrons (with the vanilla and raspberry flavors coming out on top as my favorite), sampled the German Chocolate cake (perfectly on the line of sweet but not too sweet) and was swept away into the orange lavender cake. The hardest thing about this store is that everything I try becomes my "favorite" and this makes sampling all of their wonderful offerings challenging. I feel incredibly fortunate that this upscale but inviting store has opened in our community and I'm looking forward to challenging myself to trying...