They only have take out but it's my go-to cake place. Their cakes are the Asian moderate sweetness instead of the overly sweet western desserts you usually find around the area. Tried a variety of theirs from strawberry shortcake to cream puffs to roll cakes to tiramisu to fruit tarted etc. and got to say I enjoyed all of them! Personal fav is definitely the apple tarte.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
T C.
I still love this bakery after all of these years, even since they were based in DTLA Little Tokyo. Their matcha chocolate mousse cake is still one of my favorite cakes. I placed a phone order on a Wednesday for pick-up on a Friday. The lady over the phone was nice and courteous. They do charge your credit card in advance while on the phone to make sure there is no payment drama. They DO NOT have whole cakes pre-made and ready to go, so you must order in advance for guaranteed freshness. I picked mine up with no problems and my friends enjoyed it very much even though a few of them do not care for matcha in general. We paid $59 for a 7-inch cake and it was WORTH IT. No, I don't eat cakes from 85 degrees, Paris Baguette, and generic Chinese bakeries. I still have a soft spot for Porto's and I generally prefer delicate cakes with higher levels of execution (French style). In this cake, French technique with clean Japanese Fusion.It's not cheap, but that's the point! These cakes are made with higher quality techniques and ingredients, so pay up or go to PB/Diamond Bakery/85. If not, go to Porto's for a decent cake with a bigger bang for the buck.
Yuki Kubota
I have been a big fan of Frances since they were in Little Tokyo. I was so thrilled to find it in my town, South Pas! I love Japanese soufflé cheesecake and this is the only place that makes it perfectly. I enjoyed everything I have tried so far as they are not too sweet.The person who handles the order isn’t friendly and often unpleasant. But when I’m craving for quality cake, I always come back here. The presentation is beautiful and it’s my must have for tea time with my friends & family.
Food: 5
Service: 1
Courtney Y.
Went with Frances Patisserie for my birthday cake(s) after trying out a couple of different places, and so glad I did! Both cakes were amazing and very much enjoyed by my guests - we had the mango passion and matcha chocolate. Prices are definitely not cheap, but worth it for a special occasion. I've also had their earl grey cake that's coated in chocolate, which is very decadent but delicious as well.
Elvina L.
A very French bakery indeed!I tried a number of the pastries and I cannot fault them on anything, they were perfect. So tasty!
Mahina
I think it's the best in LA. Even when I go back to Japan, I often think that Francis is still delicious. This is my favorite cake shop ❤️
Abby Villanueva
Would not recommend. The tiramisu pastry was not smooth. It tasted like an old frozen chocolate slice of cake you buy at a grocery store. Not worth $7. The $7 baked cheese cake slice wasn't any better unfortunately. It was more like a slice of vanilla cake. I hardly tasted any cheese.
Lynella Jordan
I found this store by accident. I'm so glad I did. I purchased a Mont Blanc and a Chocolate Cake. Excellent!
Josquin Courte
The best pastries in the area. Texture, taste, presentation are again and again right on point. As a French person those are the closest I found to what I was eating home! 100% recommended. Much better than the oversweetened and fat full American pastries found everywhere else.
Emily J.
I went to pickup some groceries at Bristol Farms and parked in front of this French-Japanese bakery. At first when I read the sign I thought it was new but then my brain triggered a memory...my dad got us cakes from a Frances bakery but in J-town. Now I'm wondering if it's the same one from DTLA! So I looked it up and yes it is! My dad use to get me these cakes as a child from Frances inside the Honda Plaza! Holy smokes! It's now in South Pasadena!? How did I not know this! *cries* Nostalgia just happened in my mouth. I'm so happy it's been revived! First of all it's right across from Bristol Farms and next to Modan Ramen on the left. There was plenty of parking before noon but it does get crowded on the weekends. I can't wait to try their other items. I just got what was familiar: Strawberry Napoleon - (A+) Ate this in one sitting. Hard to eat with a fork when it's positioned upright. The trick is to eat it sideways and use your fork to break up the crust. Another way is to hold it with your hands *gasp* and eat it like a taco. The custard is perfection and the puffed layers in between is airy & crispy! The fresh strawberries on top compliments the entire Mille-Feuille! This slice of heaven brought me so much happiness today because it took me back in time when my dad brought this home for us. Definitely had a Ratatouille moment! Amaretto Coffee - (A+) Light and delectable just the way it should be. Ate this also in one sitting. Great with tea or coffee. Tarte de Pommes - (A) Not too sweet and done with such finesse. The careful placement of the apples was artfully done! The prices are comparable to Berry Opera down the street and both bakeries are tasty but this one for me has history!
Frances Patisserie is my favorite place to get desserts and a true hidden gem in South Pasadena! It's a small storefront located across from Bristol Farms in the same plaza, further back past Modan Ramen. Usually whatever you see in the display case when you arrive is what they have for the day, but sometimes you can ask if they still have anything else in the back. If you are looking for something specific, either come early or call ahead!Everything I have tried the multiple times I've visited has been delicious and not too sweet, but my favorites are the baked cheesecake (smooth and creamy texture, light but still rich, perfect sweetness) and bear cream puff (she used to pipe masks on the cream puffs during the pandemic, but now they are back to having a chocolate nose and mouth--they have a lovely craquelin crust and are filled with a delicious custard, kinda large for one person so def recommend sharing). My bf loves the blueberry almond tart (I think the sign usually says Tarte aux blueberries et amandes), which has a crunchy crust and slightly tart blueberry filling on top. I've tried the yuzu blanche, Mont Blanc, opera cake, strawberry Napoleon, French strawberry, and everything has been really yummy! There is also a small display case on the side with small bags of cookies, but I've never tried them before.The cakes/pastries are a bit pricey, but well worth the money for the consistent quality and they are good for sharing with your loved ones~ Make sure to bring cash if you don't plan on buying a lot because there is a minimum amount in order to use your credit card!
A Y.
There aren't many amazing patisseries in the area, but you can always trust Frances to deliver on delicious and beautiful cakes. Their selection isn't big and if they sell out with what is in the fridge at day, then they're out. So best to call ahead or go early! They're also not opened every day. I wish they offered more varieties and not always the same ones. I don't have a favorite, but I like that their cakes aren't overly sweet. They're also super neat and beautiful! I love getting an assortment of cakes to gift to people for the holiday. This store is in the same plaza as Bristol Farms, so be prepared to wait a bit for parking.
I S.
I tried to order Christmas cake but I was told they don't make Christmas cake any more?? Why?? We are so looking forward to eat and ready to pay $$$$. Very disappointed.
Bar K.
Mont Blanc cake was delicious and expensive. But I think it's worthwhile as it's hard to find chestnut cake anywhere else. But you have to really plan for order as you have to order 48 hrs ahead and they closed 2 days out of the week.
Lisa C.
It's a pity that many cakes are sold out when I go on Sunday afternoonThe baked cheesecake is not greasy and deliciousbut the price is expensive
They only have take out but it's my go-to cake place. Their cakes are the Asian moderate sweetness instead of the overly sweet western desserts you usually find around the area. Tried a variety of theirs from strawberry shortcake to cream puffs to roll cakes to tiramisu to fruit tarted etc. and got to say I enjoyed all of them! Personal fav is definitely the apple tarte.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I still love this bakery after all of these years, even since they were based in DTLA Little Tokyo. Their matcha chocolate mousse cake is still one of my favorite cakes. I placed a phone order on a Wednesday for pick-up on a Friday. The lady over the phone was nice and courteous. They do charge your credit card in advance while on the phone to make sure there is no payment drama. They DO NOT have whole cakes pre-made and ready to go, so you must order in advance for guaranteed freshness. I picked mine up with no problems and my friends enjoyed it very much even though a few of them do not care for matcha in general. We paid $59 for a 7-inch cake and it was WORTH IT. No, I don't eat cakes from 85 degrees, Paris Baguette, and generic Chinese bakeries. I still have a soft spot for Porto's and I generally prefer delicate cakes with higher levels of execution (French style). In this cake, French technique with clean Japanese Fusion.It's not cheap, but that's the point! These cakes are made with higher quality techniques and ingredients, so pay up or go to PB/Diamond Bakery/85. If not, go to Porto's for a decent cake with a bigger bang for the buck.
I have been a big fan of Frances since they were in Little Tokyo. I was so thrilled to find it in my town, South Pas! I love Japanese soufflé cheesecake and this is the only place that makes it perfectly. I enjoyed everything I have tried so far as they are not too sweet.The person who handles the order isn’t friendly and often unpleasant. But when I’m craving for quality cake, I always come back here. The presentation is beautiful and it’s my must have for tea time with my friends & family.
Food: 5
Service: 1
Went with Frances Patisserie for my birthday cake(s) after trying out a couple of different places, and so glad I did! Both cakes were amazing and very much enjoyed by my guests - we had the mango passion and matcha chocolate. Prices are definitely not cheap, but worth it for a special occasion. I've also had their earl grey cake that's coated in chocolate, which is very decadent but delicious as well.
A very French bakery indeed!I tried a number of the pastries and I cannot fault them on anything, they were perfect. So tasty!
I think it's the best in LA. Even when I go back to Japan, I often think that Francis is still delicious. This is my favorite cake shop ❤️
Would not recommend. The tiramisu pastry was not smooth. It tasted like an old frozen chocolate slice of cake you buy at a grocery store. Not worth $7. The $7 baked cheese cake slice wasn't any better unfortunately. It was more like a slice of vanilla cake. I hardly tasted any cheese.
I found this store by accident. I'm so glad I did. I purchased a Mont Blanc and a Chocolate Cake. Excellent!
The best pastries in the area. Texture, taste, presentation are again and again right on point. As a French person those are the closest I found to what I was eating home! 100% recommended. Much better than the oversweetened and fat full American pastries found everywhere else.
I went to pickup some groceries at Bristol Farms and parked in front of this French-Japanese bakery. At first when I read the sign I thought it was new but then my brain triggered a memory...my dad got us cakes from a Frances bakery but in J-town. Now I'm wondering if it's the same one from DTLA! So I looked it up and yes it is! My dad use to get me these cakes as a child from Frances inside the Honda Plaza! Holy smokes! It's now in South Pasadena!? How did I not know this! *cries* Nostalgia just happened in my mouth. I'm so happy it's been revived! First of all it's right across from Bristol Farms and next to Modan Ramen on the left. There was plenty of parking before noon but it does get crowded on the weekends. I can't wait to try their other items. I just got what was familiar: Strawberry Napoleon - (A+) Ate this in one sitting. Hard to eat with a fork when it's positioned upright. The trick is to eat it sideways and use your fork to break up the crust. Another way is to hold it with your hands *gasp* and eat it like a taco. The custard is perfection and the puffed layers in between is airy & crispy! The fresh strawberries on top compliments the entire Mille-Feuille! This slice of heaven brought me so much happiness today because it took me back in time when my dad brought this home for us. Definitely had a Ratatouille moment! Amaretto Coffee - (A+) Light and delectable just the way it should be. Ate this also in one sitting. Great with tea or coffee. Tarte de Pommes - (A) Not too sweet and done with such finesse. The careful placement of the apples was artfully done! The prices are comparable to Berry Opera down the street and both bakeries are tasty but this one for me has history!
Restaurantji Recommends
Frances Patisserie is my favorite place to get desserts and a true hidden gem in South Pasadena! It's a small storefront located across from Bristol Farms in the same plaza, further back past Modan Ramen. Usually whatever you see in the display case when you arrive is what they have for the day, but sometimes you can ask if they still have anything else in the back. If you are looking for something specific, either come early or call ahead!Everything I have tried the multiple times I've visited has been delicious and not too sweet, but my favorites are the baked cheesecake (smooth and creamy texture, light but still rich, perfect sweetness) and bear cream puff (she used to pipe masks on the cream puffs during the pandemic, but now they are back to having a chocolate nose and mouth--they have a lovely craquelin crust and are filled with a delicious custard, kinda large for one person so def recommend sharing). My bf loves the blueberry almond tart (I think the sign usually says Tarte aux blueberries et amandes), which has a crunchy crust and slightly tart blueberry filling on top. I've tried the yuzu blanche, Mont Blanc, opera cake, strawberry Napoleon, French strawberry, and everything has been really yummy! There is also a small display case on the side with small bags of cookies, but I've never tried them before.The cakes/pastries are a bit pricey, but well worth the money for the consistent quality and they are good for sharing with your loved ones~ Make sure to bring cash if you don't plan on buying a lot because there is a minimum amount in order to use your credit card!
There aren't many amazing patisseries in the area, but you can always trust Frances to deliver on delicious and beautiful cakes. Their selection isn't big and if they sell out with what is in the fridge at day, then they're out. So best to call ahead or go early! They're also not opened every day. I wish they offered more varieties and not always the same ones. I don't have a favorite, but I like that their cakes aren't overly sweet. They're also super neat and beautiful! I love getting an assortment of cakes to gift to people for the holiday. This store is in the same plaza as Bristol Farms, so be prepared to wait a bit for parking.
I tried to order Christmas cake but I was told they don't make Christmas cake any more?? Why?? We are so looking forward to eat and ready to pay $$$$. Very disappointed.
Mont Blanc cake was delicious and expensive. But I think it's worthwhile as it's hard to find chestnut cake anywhere else. But you have to really plan for order as you have to order 48 hrs ahead and they closed 2 days out of the week.
It's a pity that many cakes are sold out when I go on Sunday afternoonThe baked cheesecake is not greasy and deliciousbut the price is expensive