kicking off the 2017 travel schedule in alberta, games at arenas #26 and #27 of the nhl bucket list on the agenda, saturday morning was off to an early start atlaboulangerie bakery café in calgary, a spot that once the 8-day trip was finished still stood out for some items worth seeking out including a flawless savory croissant and world-class canele.
located at 2435 4 street sw and open at 6:30am every day but monday, much like the best of france,laboulangerie bakery café brings european craftsmanship and work-ethic to western canada with a collection of pastries, tarts and viennoiserie that is far too vast to be explored in one visit, a total of eight items ranging from good to excellent only scratching the surface of what i’d like to have tasted.
surprisingly busy given the cold weather and early hour, at least two-dozen patrons passing through or sitting down to enjoy during my short stay, service was smiling and helpful while seats were close-packed yet comfy, a small two-top near the door almost overloaded by a collection from which the mozzarella and sesame croissant was sampled first – laminated layers shattering to the tooth just as they would in the cream and almond-filled versions later, but giving way to a gooey, cheese-lacquered center that melded perfectly with toasty sesame notes and plenty of butter.
admittedly not wowed by the almond croissant, thankfully not marred by frangipane but also a bit too stingy with ground almonds, expectations were met by a kouign amann awash with butter and a crackling sugar bottom, the canele going one step further and surpassing almost any outside of europe in terms of crispiness overlying custard, even if the outside lacked the traditional deep-brown polish.
setting aside the cinnamon roll, underflavored though well laminated like the rest, better bites were found amidst the sliced croissant that stood up well the cream filling, the same to be said of crisp choux surrounding the naturally flavored pistachio filling of a lengthy éclair while both the caramel tart and self-proclaimed “best brownie in calgary” were well constructed with nuts helping to temper their sweetness.