A lovely spot where learning meets delicacy! Run, do not walk, to get these wonderfully underpriced, delicious goodies!
Holly Lyn Walrath
Cute little cafe run by the culinary institute students! They have so many different pastries I hadn’t tried yet. Delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Croissant, Pastries
Tyrell Govindasamy
So we were the first people in the store. As soon as we walked in, we got an annoyed stare. The lady "serving" was extremely rude. She mumbles so couldnt clearly understand or hear her properly. The food was pretty average. The coffee was only filled half way in the cup. Not worth calling coffee anyway. We asked for the some of the pastries to be warmed up and the lady got upset and complained that she is too busy and we must wait for everyone else order to be prepared instead of just placing it in the oven while she prepped other people's orders which was not ready made (other people had walked in by that point). SERVICE IS TERRIBLE. TRAINEES SHOULD BE THOUGHT MANNERS AND HOW TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS - THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP THEM IN A JOB!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Matthew Staninger
Very nice location to get a coffee and a dessert!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeri M
The worse chocolate croissant I’ve ever had. It was not flaky at all. It tasted like it was 2-3 days old and therefore should not have been sold, or at least sold for full price. There was a lot of chocolate on the inside but the pastry was hard to chew and just tasted like stale bread. I threw it out.
Food: 1
Joy Valko
What a gem! One of the best bagels I've ever had & fantastic almond croissant. We sat by the fountain to enjoy. Going back for breakfast again tomorrow before leaving town :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elissa Wood
Absolutely delicious pastries and goodies! The student who helped us was knowledgeable and so friendly! So glad we found this place as we didn't spend long in town, you definitely don't want to miss their sweets!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lemon Tart, Chocolate Croissant
Ilia Rasskazov
Amazing pastries, cookies and gelato! Freshly baked and not overly sugary, which I highly appreciate! Definitely recommend their cookies.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Miriam Villasenor
We loved!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Zack Schneider
Walking into La Patisserie at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (NFCI), you’re immediately greeted by the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked pastries, a scent that wraps around you like a warm embrace. The café, nestled within the bustling halls of SUNY Niagara’s culinary campus, exudes a charm that is both elegant and inviting. This isn’t just a typical bakery; it’s a showcase of student talent, where the art of pastry-making is on full display for anyone lucky enough to step inside.
As I approached the glass display case, I couldn’t help but marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors and textures before me. Each pastry was a work of art, meticulously crafted by the students under the watchful eyes of their instructors. The vibrant hues of the macarons caught my eye first—delicate shells in shades of pastel pink, mint green, and lavender, each one filled with a silky ganache that promised a burst of flavor with every bite.
I selected a few items to try, eager to experience the unique flavor profiles that La Patisserie is known for. The first was a lemon meringue tart. The golden crust was crisp and buttery, providing the perfect contrast to the tangy lemon curd that filled it. Atop the tart sat a swirl of toasted meringue, its peaks lightly browned, adding a subtle sweetness that balanced the tartness of the lemon. Each bite was a harmonious blend of textures—crunchy, smooth, and airy—making it clear that these students had mastered the delicate balance required in fine pastry-making.
Next, I moved on to a raspberry pistachio éclair. The glossy, dark chocolate glaze on top hinted at the richness within, but it was the first bite that truly captivated me. The choux pastry was light and airy, yet firm enough to hold the luscious pistachio cream filling. The sweetness of the cream was beautifully offset by the tartness of the raspberry compote that oozed out with each bite, creating a symphony of flavors that danced on my palate. The finishing touch was a sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top, adding a satisfying crunch and a vibrant pop of green that made the éclair as beautiful as it was delicious.
Of course, no visit to La Patisserie would be complete without sampling one of their famous croissants. I opted for an almond croissant, drawn in by the golden, flaky layers and the sweet almond aroma. As I bit into it, the croissant shattered in the most delightful way, scattering crumbs across the plate. Inside, a rich almond filling awaited, its sweetness tempered by the nuttiness of the toasted almonds sprinkled on top. The layers of pastry were so thin and delicate that they practically melted in my mouth, leaving behind a lingering taste of butter and almonds that I found utterly irresistible.
The café also offered a selection of more adventurous pastries, showcasing the creativity and innovation that the students are encouraged to explore. One such creation was a matcha white chocolate mousse cake, its vibrant green color standing out among the more traditional offerings. The matcha flavor was earthy and slightly bitter, providing a bold contrast to the sweetness of the white chocolate mousse that encased it. A hint of citrus in the glaze added a refreshing brightness, cutting through the richness and leaving a clean, crisp finish.
As I enjoyed my selections, I couldn’t help but admire the skill and passion that went into each pastry. The students at La Patisserie are not just learning to bake; they are learning to create, to experiment with flavors and textures, and to present their work in a way that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the taste buds. The open kitchen allowed me to watch as they worked, carefully measuring ingredients, piping delicate designs, and perfecting each creation before it was placed in the display case.
OMG it’s just PERFECT! The food and the price. You definitely need to stop at la patisserie and get some sweet for you! The coconut mousse it’s my favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul
Delicious gelato and help out the students at the culinary institute. Only $4.25 for a couple of scoops too! The pastries looked excellent as well but I didn’t try one.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nazar Imamov
Customer service here is awful. The girl behind the cashier seriously needs to work on her customer service skills. She was not friendly, didn’t greet people, and made mistakes with my order. I asked for an iced latte, but she gave me an iced coffee instead. Worse, she told the other girl that I had asked for an iced coffee, which was not true. Definitely not a pleasant experience.
I understand that we all have bad days, but customer service is part of the job. No matter how bad your day is, it’s important to treat customers with respect and attention. After all, you chose this job.
That said, the food is great and the coffee is amazing. If they could improve their customer service, this place would be fantastic.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Andrew M
This is a must stop if you want some delicious sweets that supports a wonderful cause! Ordered the chocolate peanut butter brownie and a chocolate ice cream sandwich.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chioukh Fatima
I highly recommend this bakery, their pain au chocolat and cappuccinos are so delicious ?
A lovely spot where learning meets delicacy! Run, do not walk, to get these wonderfully underpriced, delicious goodies!
Cute little cafe run by the culinary institute students! They have so many different pastries I hadn’t tried yet. Delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Croissant, Pastries
So we were the first people in the store. As soon as we walked in, we got an annoyed stare. The lady "serving" was extremely rude. She mumbles so couldnt clearly understand or hear her properly. The food was pretty average. The coffee was only filled half way in the cup. Not worth calling coffee anyway. We asked for the some of the pastries to be warmed up and the lady got upset and complained that she is too busy and we must wait for everyone else order to be prepared instead of just placing it in the oven while she prepped other people's orders which was not ready made (other people had walked in by that point). SERVICE IS TERRIBLE. TRAINEES SHOULD BE THOUGHT MANNERS AND HOW TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS - THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP THEM IN A JOB!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Very nice location to get a coffee and a dessert!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The worse chocolate croissant I’ve ever had. It was not flaky at all. It tasted like it was 2-3 days old and therefore should not have been sold, or at least sold for full price. There was a lot of chocolate on the inside but the pastry was hard to chew and just tasted like stale bread. I threw it out.
Food: 1
What a gem! One of the best bagels I've ever had & fantastic almond croissant. We sat by the fountain to enjoy. Going back for breakfast again tomorrow before leaving town :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely delicious pastries and goodies! The student who helped us was knowledgeable and so friendly! So glad we found this place as we didn't spend long in town, you definitely don't want to miss their sweets!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lemon Tart, Chocolate Croissant
Amazing pastries, cookies and gelato! Freshly baked and not overly sugary, which I highly appreciate! Definitely recommend their cookies.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We loved!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Walking into La Patisserie at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (NFCI), you’re immediately greeted by the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked pastries, a scent that wraps around you like a warm embrace. The café, nestled within the bustling halls of SUNY Niagara’s culinary campus, exudes a charm that is both elegant and inviting. This isn’t just a typical bakery; it’s a showcase of student talent, where the art of pastry-making is on full display for anyone lucky enough to step inside.
As I approached the glass display case, I couldn’t help but marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors and textures before me. Each pastry was a work of art, meticulously crafted by the students under the watchful eyes of their instructors. The vibrant hues of the macarons caught my eye first—delicate shells in shades of pastel pink, mint green, and lavender, each one filled with a silky ganache that promised a burst of flavor with every bite.
I selected a few items to try, eager to experience the unique flavor profiles that La Patisserie is known for. The first was a lemon meringue tart. The golden crust was crisp and buttery, providing the perfect contrast to the tangy lemon curd that filled it. Atop the tart sat a swirl of toasted meringue, its peaks lightly browned, adding a subtle sweetness that balanced the tartness of the lemon. Each bite was a harmonious blend of textures—crunchy, smooth, and airy—making it clear that these students had mastered the delicate balance required in fine pastry-making.
Next, I moved on to a raspberry pistachio éclair. The glossy, dark chocolate glaze on top hinted at the richness within, but it was the first bite that truly captivated me. The choux pastry was light and airy, yet firm enough to hold the luscious pistachio cream filling. The sweetness of the cream was beautifully offset by the tartness of the raspberry compote that oozed out with each bite, creating a symphony of flavors that danced on my palate. The finishing touch was a sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top, adding a satisfying crunch and a vibrant pop of green that made the éclair as beautiful as it was delicious.
Of course, no visit to La Patisserie would be complete without sampling one of their famous croissants. I opted for an almond croissant, drawn in by the golden, flaky layers and the sweet almond aroma. As I bit into it, the croissant shattered in the most delightful way, scattering crumbs across the plate. Inside, a rich almond filling awaited, its sweetness tempered by the nuttiness of the toasted almonds sprinkled on top. The layers of pastry were so thin and delicate that they practically melted in my mouth, leaving behind a lingering taste of butter and almonds that I found utterly irresistible.
The café also offered a selection of more adventurous pastries, showcasing the creativity and innovation that the students are encouraged to explore. One such creation was a matcha white chocolate mousse cake, its vibrant green color standing out among the more traditional offerings. The matcha flavor was earthy and slightly bitter, providing a bold contrast to the sweetness of the white chocolate mousse that encased it. A hint of citrus in the glaze added a refreshing brightness, cutting through the richness and leaving a clean, crisp finish.
As I enjoyed my selections, I couldn’t help but admire the skill and passion that went into each pastry. The students at La Patisserie are not just learning to bake; they are learning to create, to experiment with flavors and textures, and to present their work in a way that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the taste buds. The open kitchen allowed me to watch as they worked, carefully measuring ingredients, piping delicate designs, and perfecting each creation before it was placed in the display case.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lemon Tart, Cupcake
Restaurantji Recommends
OMG it’s just PERFECT! The food and the price. You definitely need to stop at la patisserie and get some sweet for you! The coconut mousse it’s my favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious gelato and help out the students at the culinary institute. Only $4.25 for a couple of scoops too! The pastries looked excellent as well but I didn’t try one.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Customer service here is awful. The girl behind the cashier seriously needs to work on her customer service skills. She was not friendly, didn’t greet people, and made mistakes with my order. I asked for an iced latte, but she gave me an iced coffee instead. Worse, she told the other girl that I had asked for an iced coffee, which was not true. Definitely not a pleasant experience.
I understand that we all have bad days, but customer service is part of the job. No matter how bad your day is, it’s important to treat customers with respect and attention. After all, you chose this job.
That said, the food is great and the coffee is amazing. If they could improve their customer service, this place would be fantastic.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
This is a must stop if you want some delicious sweets that supports a wonderful cause! Ordered the chocolate peanut butter brownie and a chocolate ice cream sandwich.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I highly recommend this bakery, their pain au chocolat and cappuccinos are so delicious ?
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cupcake, Chocolate Croissant
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