A friend recommended this place to get a good pastry. Otherwise, I would have never found it. It's not in a very conspicuous place. I ordered a French onion soup and bread pudding. I ate the bread pudding in my car. I only meant to take a quick bite but I couldn't stop myself. The French onion soup was just luscious. One of the best!!
l w.
Hung out here while my car was being serviced nearby. Started with a delicious croissant and coffee. Later a wonderful ham sandwich on baguette!
Sarita C.
It's honestly extremely rare that I write a one-star review... But the fat frumpy arrogant French lady working the front is seriously out of control. Never have I felt so disrespected by anyone in customer service, in my entire life. Stopped in for a last minute gift for my mom's birthday. Picked up what looks like some kind of vacuum-sealed bag of a marinated red-colored piece of poultry. I ask this "lady" what exactly it is, very politely mind you, and here is how the conversation went: "(Smiling) What is this?-- chicken or duck?" "(Scowling) It's chicken." "What kind of chicken?" "(Impatiently) Roasted chicken." "(Growing impatient) What KIND of roasted chicken? It's obviously marinated in some kind of sauce/ seasoning" (While grumbling and rolling her eyes, she asks the chef in the back...) "Paprika." "Okay..... (thinking, 'That wasn't so hard now, was it') Thank you." Kinda peeves me when a place has NO prices for any of their products. Makes me feel like they size you up when you walk in and charge what they want. So now I'm looking at all the whatever looking pastries, desperately trying to find a few things to gift. Fruit tarts, tiramisu, etc. Having to ask the damn price for everything, and what exactly everything is since there are no labels or any info. She's obviously getting more and more frustrated from not knowing s**** waddles to the back to get the actual chef (an older Latino gentleman who is much friendlier), whom I ask the price of a small cake. He tells me $25, and immediately afterwards she barks, "NO, it's $26. Nothing is $25." Then procedes with, "Everything is expensive, honey"-- I tell her, "I can afford it." Her response: "oh really because you keep asking for all the prices" Hmm. Wow! Hold up, b***** This is when I tell her that I own a business, a restaurant actually, and that she does not belong in customer service. And that she must be family, because who the F*** would ever hire you? And that the actual owner of this bakery, "Chef Josette" or whatever probably wouldn't want her talking to customers this way. I told her I would never be stepping foot in there again, directly because of her. When I asked what her name was, after a long pause, she begrudgingly tells me it's "Jackie" (Jacqui?). Also. This was me popping in after 3 or 4 years. Ate here once and regretted it. Overpriced for incredibly underwhelming food. Easily the worst eggs Benny I've ever had. The waitress was not friendly and the service was slow. Still, I was never going to leave a negative review. Another thing. For claiming the best baguette in the city, it sure tastes like overly bleached and dough conditioned b******* with no crust or air bubbles, that any supermarket chain does better. Better yet, patronize your local panadería and get 3 bolillos for a buck. You'll be MUCH more satisfied. This place tries too hard to be "Bougie" when it is actually just a dusty-ass tacky hole in the wall where stale pastries are sold and rude shitty people work. And I honestly LIKE hole-in-the-walls!! NEVER AGAIN. Take your money elsewhere. ***EDIT*** Upon scrolling through and reading the many negative reviews, which I had not done before writing my own, it seems I dodged a bullet by not encountering "Chef Josette" on my visit. Which, yeah I agree with the people, for how much you tout this chefdom and having your life-size cutouts everywhere, you sure don't take care of the actual important stuff. Like treating your employees with respect and not berating them publicly. Like treating your customers with respect and showing kindness and gratitude. Like putting information and pricing labels for your goods. S*** like that. But now It's not surprising that she would have such a disrespectful oaf like "Jackie" (Jacqui?) "managing" the joint.
Jose G.
I really like their bread, however when you call over the phone and inquire about their items and prices they are rude. A lady in which she did not specify her name answered the phone. She was extremely rude given the fact that she did not know the prices or when a certain bread will be available. Bread is good again but their customer service could use some tailoring.
Roxana B.
I just wanted to let everyone know about the horrific and insulting experience I just had at Normandie Bakery on Cochran, off Jefferson that I have always gone to and supported. Today being 12/20/2021. The owner/chef Josette was there when I entered to pick up my usual Prosciutto. When I went to the cheese area to look and didn't see a cheese that I wanted, I turned around and she was there in front of me, so I went to walk around her to pay, and she grabbed my arm aggressively and yelled at me to go nowhere. (She also wasn't wearing a mask which was the other reason I tried to walk around her.) She turned around and held out her arms to prevent me from walking and screamed out to the cashier to call the police because I was stealing. There was a customer there too. It was mortifying. I then said "What? I'm not stealing, I come here all the time" I think she recognized me then, I saw it in her eyes, but wasn't admitting it....She then said " I saw you put your hands in your bag." ( I had a belt pouch on, not a purse b/c I had come back from hiking the dogs) I then said to her, " I was getting my money out" I then put back my prosciutto and told her how insulted I was. She never apologized, nothing. Needless to say, I will never go back there again and support her. Just wanted to let people know what happened in case any of you have this experience, there is a trail...Never had this happen to me in my life. So disturbing. I felt like calling the cops and charging her for assault in the way she grabbed my arm. Sad because I went there a lot. I actually had conversations with Josette before. In one of the many encounters I had with her, she joked about me always getting the prosciutto. I am still in disbelief that I had this experience.
Daniella H.
Racist!!!! Not only does she treat her employees bad but she has the nerve to hire a 17 year old to cut her yard but refuses to pay.. pay attention when she's in the location her workers are so cute and she's always screaming she hates to charge people I went in for a cookie and coke she got upset because she had to get up! But just the fact that she can't pay a kid $60 for his work is sad
Vero M.
Highly recommend this place, Chef Josette is fabulous, excellent pastries and French dishes and delicacies, good service, and very friendly atmosphere. We had a great lunch and are looking at catering for an event soon.
Ines D.
Chef Josette was organizing a Couscous evening last Saturday. We have enjoyed a delicious couscous with friends , the best we have had for a while! The portions were so generous that we had our dinner for the following day! We love that part of France in the middle of the Westside LA. Chef Josette has her character but she is such a sweet and enthusiastic person! Do not forget when you come to Normandie Bakery to buy liver or campagne pâtés, lasagnes, ham, ...they are absolutely delicious ! And so that you know : she will have Foie gras and King pies for the holiday season
Evelyne Pedersen
delicious food! great patio!
Francisco M.
I was biking by with my one-year-old son and had to stop in because he loves bread, especially croissants. When we were waiting in line Chef Josette herself came out. "I have to say hi to the beautiful baby." When I told her that he loves bread, she picked out a brioche for him and gave it to us, no charge. It was delicious and my son was happily chomping away as we biked along.
I've been to this restaurant pre-pandemic and can say I didn't have an issue with the food, however customer service has gone down. I decided to do an online order through the business website and was notified the food would be ready in 20 minutes. Arrived at the time, and was told by the owner of the restaurant that the food was not ready because she didn't know how the online system worked (despite her saying that she started the order) and was told to call next time and that my food would not be ready until a half an hour wait. I am unsure if she was trying to make light of the situation as she asked for $5 cash charge which I told her that I already paid for the meal so I would not be giving her that. Overall, this experience has definitely made me less likely to return and if you decide to go through with trying this place out, call rather than go through the online system for a pickup order.
Ben V.
OK - so hands down, this Bakery is home to the BEST baguette in Los Angeles. It's honestly as good as what you find in Paris. I'm only docking a star because Josette can be a bit surly - but to me she's always been very sweet. Just go here knowing that Chef Josette is a bit of a character and grab yourself the best baguette you've ever had in your life. Seriously.
Melissa B.
The pastries here are delicious, but I've had a few unpleasant experiences lately. On one visit the owner sold me a batch of pastries. As she was packing them away she went on and on about how fresh they were. When I got home nearly all of them were dry and stale. The other experience I order a 6" coconut cake which cost ~ $25+ tax. Inside was two extremely thin layers of cake and a thick layer of frosting on top. I felt cheated. If you're going to charge your customers a surplus, then take care of them by treating them fairly. They also charged for credit card payment. I've never had to pay that before, it wasn't posted, and wasn't told to me before hand. Can't say I appreciate the service I've received these past few times.
Emely J.
I'd give this place ZERO STARS if I could!! I just walked out of this place because the "chef" Josette. She literally profiled my sister and I before even greeting us (I find that disrespectful especially if you're the owner, you'd expect a welcoming vibe). She approached us and the first thing she said was "Sorry I don't speak Spanish." And we both responded "It's okay because we speak English." Why would she assume we spoke Spanish only? BECAUSE SHE'S A RACIST WOMAN. She literally refused to make the cake my sister asked for because she said she wasn't willing to do "all that" for a small cake. I literally only went because my sister got her 15th birthday cake for $200 (way too overpriced). It was good cake so I took her back. This time we got to meet the chef/owner "Josette", such an arrogant person. She even addressed me for the way I was talking to her, I was just returning the energy back to her. I don't know who she think she is but she needs to be humbled. She was trying to belittle us and I wasn't going to stand that. I told her off and walked out of there. NEVER GOING BACK IN MY LIFE SHE DOESNT DESERVE MY MONEY OR ANYONES MONEY, 0/10 HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDED!!
Jun L.
I was excited to go have breakfast in their cafe they just reopened, but they thought that it was beneath them to serve a croissant. They made me feel bad about just wanting only a croissant! I would understand if they were busy but we were only one of two tables seated! Our server even said she's not coming back to our table after my husband asked for hot sauce for his eggs. That whole experience left a really bad taste in my mouth. Never going back.
A friend recommended this place to get a good pastry. Otherwise, I would have never found it. It's not in a very conspicuous place. I ordered a French onion soup and bread pudding. I ate the bread pudding in my car. I only meant to take a quick bite but I couldn't stop myself. The French onion soup was just luscious. One of the best!!
Hung out here while my car was being serviced nearby. Started with a delicious croissant and coffee. Later a wonderful ham sandwich on baguette!
It's honestly extremely rare that I write a one-star review... But the fat frumpy arrogant French lady working the front is seriously out of control. Never have I felt so disrespected by anyone in customer service, in my entire life. Stopped in for a last minute gift for my mom's birthday. Picked up what looks like some kind of vacuum-sealed bag of a marinated red-colored piece of poultry. I ask this "lady" what exactly it is, very politely mind you, and here is how the conversation went: "(Smiling) What is this?-- chicken or duck?" "(Scowling) It's chicken." "What kind of chicken?" "(Impatiently) Roasted chicken." "(Growing impatient) What KIND of roasted chicken? It's obviously marinated in some kind of sauce/ seasoning" (While grumbling and rolling her eyes, she asks the chef in the back...) "Paprika." "Okay..... (thinking, 'That wasn't so hard now, was it') Thank you." Kinda peeves me when a place has NO prices for any of their products. Makes me feel like they size you up when you walk in and charge what they want. So now I'm looking at all the whatever looking pastries, desperately trying to find a few things to gift. Fruit tarts, tiramisu, etc. Having to ask the damn price for everything, and what exactly everything is since there are no labels or any info. She's obviously getting more and more frustrated from not knowing s**** waddles to the back to get the actual chef (an older Latino gentleman who is much friendlier), whom I ask the price of a small cake. He tells me $25, and immediately afterwards she barks, "NO, it's $26. Nothing is $25." Then procedes with, "Everything is expensive, honey"-- I tell her, "I can afford it." Her response: "oh really because you keep asking for all the prices" Hmm. Wow! Hold up, b***** This is when I tell her that I own a business, a restaurant actually, and that she does not belong in customer service. And that she must be family, because who the F*** would ever hire you? And that the actual owner of this bakery, "Chef Josette" or whatever probably wouldn't want her talking to customers this way. I told her I would never be stepping foot in there again, directly because of her. When I asked what her name was, after a long pause, she begrudgingly tells me it's "Jackie" (Jacqui?). Also. This was me popping in after 3 or 4 years. Ate here once and regretted it. Overpriced for incredibly underwhelming food. Easily the worst eggs Benny I've ever had. The waitress was not friendly and the service was slow. Still, I was never going to leave a negative review. Another thing. For claiming the best baguette in the city, it sure tastes like overly bleached and dough conditioned b******* with no crust or air bubbles, that any supermarket chain does better. Better yet, patronize your local panadería and get 3 bolillos for a buck. You'll be MUCH more satisfied. This place tries too hard to be "Bougie" when it is actually just a dusty-ass tacky hole in the wall where stale pastries are sold and rude shitty people work. And I honestly LIKE hole-in-the-walls!! NEVER AGAIN. Take your money elsewhere. ***EDIT*** Upon scrolling through and reading the many negative reviews, which I had not done before writing my own, it seems I dodged a bullet by not encountering "Chef Josette" on my visit. Which, yeah I agree with the people, for how much you tout this chefdom and having your life-size cutouts everywhere, you sure don't take care of the actual important stuff. Like treating your employees with respect and not berating them publicly. Like treating your customers with respect and showing kindness and gratitude. Like putting information and pricing labels for your goods. S*** like that. But now It's not surprising that she would have such a disrespectful oaf like "Jackie" (Jacqui?) "managing" the joint.
I really like their bread, however when you call over the phone and inquire about their items and prices they are rude. A lady in which she did not specify her name answered the phone. She was extremely rude given the fact that she did not know the prices or when a certain bread will be available. Bread is good again but their customer service could use some tailoring.
I just wanted to let everyone know about the horrific and insulting experience I just had at Normandie Bakery on Cochran, off Jefferson that I have always gone to and supported. Today being 12/20/2021. The owner/chef Josette was there when I entered to pick up my usual Prosciutto. When I went to the cheese area to look and didn't see a cheese that I wanted, I turned around and she was there in front of me, so I went to walk around her to pay, and she grabbed my arm aggressively and yelled at me to go nowhere. (She also wasn't wearing a mask which was the other reason I tried to walk around her.) She turned around and held out her arms to prevent me from walking and screamed out to the cashier to call the police because I was stealing. There was a customer there too. It was mortifying. I then said "What? I'm not stealing, I come here all the time" I think she recognized me then, I saw it in her eyes, but wasn't admitting it....She then said " I saw you put your hands in your bag." ( I had a belt pouch on, not a purse b/c I had come back from hiking the dogs) I then said to her, " I was getting my money out" I then put back my prosciutto and told her how insulted I was. She never apologized, nothing. Needless to say, I will never go back there again and support her. Just wanted to let people know what happened in case any of you have this experience, there is a trail...Never had this happen to me in my life. So disturbing. I felt like calling the cops and charging her for assault in the way she grabbed my arm. Sad because I went there a lot. I actually had conversations with Josette before. In one of the many encounters I had with her, she joked about me always getting the prosciutto. I am still in disbelief that I had this experience.
Racist!!!! Not only does she treat her employees bad but she has the nerve to hire a 17 year old to cut her yard but refuses to pay.. pay attention when she's in the location her workers are so cute and she's always screaming she hates to charge people I went in for a cookie and coke she got upset because she had to get up! But just the fact that she can't pay a kid $60 for his work is sad
Highly recommend this place, Chef Josette is fabulous, excellent pastries and French dishes and delicacies, good service, and very friendly atmosphere. We had a great lunch and are looking at catering for an event soon.
Chef Josette was organizing a Couscous evening last Saturday. We have enjoyed a delicious couscous with friends , the best we have had for a while! The portions were so generous that we had our dinner for the following day! We love that part of France in the middle of the Westside LA. Chef Josette has her character but she is such a sweet and enthusiastic person! Do not forget when you come to Normandie Bakery to buy liver or campagne pâtés, lasagnes, ham, ...they are absolutely delicious ! And so that you know : she will have Foie gras and King pies for the holiday season
delicious food! great patio!
I was biking by with my one-year-old son and had to stop in because he loves bread, especially croissants. When we were waiting in line Chef Josette herself came out. "I have to say hi to the beautiful baby." When I told her that he loves bread, she picked out a brioche for him and gave it to us, no charge. It was delicious and my son was happily chomping away as we biked along.
Restaurantji Recommends
I've been to this restaurant pre-pandemic and can say I didn't have an issue with the food, however customer service has gone down. I decided to do an online order through the business website and was notified the food would be ready in 20 minutes. Arrived at the time, and was told by the owner of the restaurant that the food was not ready because she didn't know how the online system worked (despite her saying that she started the order) and was told to call next time and that my food would not be ready until a half an hour wait. I am unsure if she was trying to make light of the situation as she asked for $5 cash charge which I told her that I already paid for the meal so I would not be giving her that. Overall, this experience has definitely made me less likely to return and if you decide to go through with trying this place out, call rather than go through the online system for a pickup order.
OK - so hands down, this Bakery is home to the BEST baguette in Los Angeles. It's honestly as good as what you find in Paris. I'm only docking a star because Josette can be a bit surly - but to me she's always been very sweet. Just go here knowing that Chef Josette is a bit of a character and grab yourself the best baguette you've ever had in your life. Seriously.
The pastries here are delicious, but I've had a few unpleasant experiences lately. On one visit the owner sold me a batch of pastries. As she was packing them away she went on and on about how fresh they were. When I got home nearly all of them were dry and stale. The other experience I order a 6" coconut cake which cost ~ $25+ tax. Inside was two extremely thin layers of cake and a thick layer of frosting on top. I felt cheated. If you're going to charge your customers a surplus, then take care of them by treating them fairly. They also charged for credit card payment. I've never had to pay that before, it wasn't posted, and wasn't told to me before hand. Can't say I appreciate the service I've received these past few times.
I'd give this place ZERO STARS if I could!! I just walked out of this place because the "chef" Josette. She literally profiled my sister and I before even greeting us (I find that disrespectful especially if you're the owner, you'd expect a welcoming vibe). She approached us and the first thing she said was "Sorry I don't speak Spanish." And we both responded "It's okay because we speak English." Why would she assume we spoke Spanish only? BECAUSE SHE'S A RACIST WOMAN. She literally refused to make the cake my sister asked for because she said she wasn't willing to do "all that" for a small cake. I literally only went because my sister got her 15th birthday cake for $200 (way too overpriced). It was good cake so I took her back. This time we got to meet the chef/owner "Josette", such an arrogant person. She even addressed me for the way I was talking to her, I was just returning the energy back to her. I don't know who she think she is but she needs to be humbled. She was trying to belittle us and I wasn't going to stand that. I told her off and walked out of there. NEVER GOING BACK IN MY LIFE SHE DOESNT DESERVE MY MONEY OR ANYONES MONEY, 0/10 HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDED!!
I was excited to go have breakfast in their cafe they just reopened, but they thought that it was beneath them to serve a croissant. They made me feel bad about just wanting only a croissant! I would understand if they were busy but we were only one of two tables seated! Our server even said she's not coming back to our table after my husband asked for hot sauce for his eggs. That whole experience left a really bad taste in my mouth. Never going back.