Le Croissant Doré — Restaurant in Westminster

This is a nice, bright little bakery cafe with good fruit tarts and some of the better Vietnamese beef stew I have had, if today was a good indication. My friends buy fruit tarts here from time to time, and I've eaten them at their house. Good crust, fresh fruit, creamy custard, can't go wrong. I have never actually bought one, so I cannot comment on the value. However, today I was meeting my friend for lunch, and we were in the neighborhood and in the mood for Vietnamese food (not a bad geographical location for that state of mind), after running through the litany of usual options I mentioned stew, actually with Lynda Sandwiches on my mind (I like theirs as well). So friend says "I know just the place" and we wound up here. The parking lot was an adventure - not a lot of spots during this Wednesday lunchtime (probably because it is way too small for as busy as this plaza is) - but we found one eventually and went in. The cafe is very small, with a bakery counter and then a few tables near the window. The lunch menu consisted of beef stew, red wine beef, beef stew noodles, and four or five other similar dishes - each for around eight or nine bucks. There is also a noodle menu from attached ramen place, next door. The decor is simple, but nice - this isn't a dingy hole in the wall, but a homey, well maintained, and comfortable if utilitarian space. Most of the tables were occupied and everyone had either the stew or pastries and coffee. The lady took our order, and minutes later two plates of beefy goodness were in front of us, piled with cilantro, onions, and jalapenos, with a baguette on the side. It tasted great, with that subtle balance of spice that the best vietnamese food always has. I ate mine quickly, using the baguette to soak up the broth. It was delicious, and that, in combination with the general warm friendliness of the place, will bring me back again and again. It's always great to add a new place to...

Just no . Very understaff. Two places connected in one . Its very old outdated very dirty outside sitting is view on the parking lot and road . Parking is always full . The food was way too spicy and way too salty couldnt taste a think . The " beef" was mainly chunk of fat which were inedible . Dont bother with those cakes and croissant no respectable patissier would dare to put that out . They looked very sad depressing and homemade . The croissant are even worse . If you want TRUE AUTHENTIC french sweets go to moulin in newport beach . Very disappointed by the food i had better vietnamese food in mom and pop restaurent . Its also grossly overpriced over 10$ for 3 eggs ?! Lol the staff was unplesant not helpful and didnt looked miserable working there . Didnt feel welcome . Will not go back . If you want TRUE GOOD vietnamese food there are plenty of better ones in garden grove / westminster area....

Now, I overall "like" this place - I used to "love" it ! The flavors of the food are excellent and they have the best Vietnamese iced coffee in town ! My criticism about this place is that the last two times I was there, I ordered the Duck noodles. The portions are generous but this last time, both my friend and I only received half the amount of duck as what I received the last time I ate there ! The flavor of the broth was still excellent, but the prominent absence of the duck was VERY disappointing. Only a drumstick and one slice of meat half the size of a fun size Snicker bar. What happened to the DUCK ?!?! They have a very small dessert selection, and their croissants tasted like puff pastry. So, not bad, but not so great. I hope it will be better the next time...