The morning after a 24-26 hour cross-Pacific journey is always a bit dicey. You either wake up unreasonably early or are too groggy to make much sense. To regain equilibrium, a nice box of goodies from Payard Patisserie et Bistro ALWAYS seems to help immensely. We stayed at my sister’s apartment which was a stone’s throw from Payard, and knowing we have our “favorite foods†that we must indulge in every time we visit Manhattan, she had a great big box/bag of Payard pastry on the table waiting for us to wake up… Several mini craquelin (brioche with orange rind and almonds) shared space with a cream filled doughnut like confection, several croissants, pain au chocolat (for The Kid), cookies and brioche. The pastries were so tasty on their that own you didn’t really need to add butter and/or jam. Great flavor from good sweet butter combined with just baked freshness meant serious enjoyment at the breakfast table…
The croissants in particular were the epitome of flakey-ness. Biting into one inevitably resulted in a mess with several flakes falling to the plate and table. Not 
bad at all by New York standards. I have had flakier croissant in Paris, but that is like quibbling over decimal points on the Croissant Quality Scale… If I lived around the corner from Payard all year round I would probably gain 20 pounds from my breakfasts alone! Heat and humidity must be the mortal enemies of a good croissant since I have never had a really good croissant in the Philippines… or perhaps it’s the butter and flour here that are the culprits. The mini craquelin were as delicious as I remembered them from our trip to New York two years ago. I could easily eat three of these in one seating. And with some great butter and jam these were truly over the top!
13 Responses
I think I never really had had a real or a proper croissant. . . the pastries look good. . . you’ll definitely gain pounds if you have this everyday for breakfast. . .
Have you tried the croissants from Sarabeth’s in NYC? Those were really good.
You have excellent taste! Payard is among the best of its class; yes, I have had their wonderful food, including several items on their lunch menu, cookies, pastries, and croissants. I have a close friend that works nearby and once in a while would you believe she sends me some goodies by fedex? A little expensive, but worth every bite. I was last there in the fall of 2005 for my cousins wedding. She too has a food blog, twospoonsplease.com. You may want to check it once in a while. I stumbled onto your site as she has it among a selection of other food blog sites on her web. Can’t wait to hear more about your travels.
Hi, MM! not a comment about your post.. I’m just happy and thankful to know that you’re now back “home” and that you and your family arrived safely. Hay fever aside, I know you had a great time. =) I just hope that you’re now clear from all of the allergies you had.
Pastries from Payard looks as good as its repulation and from the looks of it taste heavenly as well! ooohhh…how i would love to go and try those myself.
I love the pastries at Payard! (Now I know thereabouts where your sis lives) I also sampled the bistro fare there. I think the one that made the most impression on me was the sole papillote -sole baked with a cover of parchment paper. It was very tasty and delicate… don’t know if they still have that on the menu. Haricots verts (very thin string beans) sauteed in butter was the other richly delicious item – perfectly crunchy. I do miss the food scene in NY! Can’t wait for your next post. I’m sure it will just be as nostalgic for me.
Hmmm replicating the croissant taste of the best French pâtisseries is my holy grail. Have been at it on and off since 2005. Even after using Normandy butter (available in Hong kong) still couldn’t get the taste. Recently took a croissant class at Lenotre just to see how the French make these buggers :–)
I have been there once and enjoyed it immensely! :) Plus I saw Stephen Spielberg :)
kainggit! those look really good! and what do i have here in manila for breakfast? gardenia bread. hahaha. it’s also good without palaman, like your payards. :)
Lastime I was there they displayed several cakes on display which cost around $2k. real good pastry place. a bit pricey but worth it.
Croissants at Le Couer de France are pretty darn good compared to the croissants I get here in Los Angeles. I have tried every place like La Brea, Le Dijonaise, Susina’s only to get frustrated. I think the secret of Le Couer are their “in house” ovens. At least the croissants are not left to stagnate and get cold.
Other than the croissants, the best thing I’ve had at Payard is the Croque Monsieur… yum, yum! Third place is a plate of assorted macarons paired with a cappuccino with the most perfect crema… Bon Apetit!!!! MM, while you were here in the upper east, id like to think we passed eachother on the street, or maybe on the 6 subway, or were you that guy who stole my cab last week???
Myra P. we took the “6” dozens of times… and no, I didn’t steal your cab, I am HIGHLY cognizant of NYC street rules for proper cab nabbing. :) I have, after all, practically yanked folks who do not abide by the etiquette from their cabs if they jumped a few meters ahead of me and nab a cab which should have been mine… tourists from the mid-west and south america seem to be the worst culprits… :)