I've been wanting to try this place for a hot minute and was finally in the neighborhood. I got 2 pastries and a coffee, I wanted to come back to grab an olive loaf but I don't think I will be back. When I went in there was 2 employees behind the counter working the front, one with a long dark pony tail and another with a dark pony tail & blonde highlights. The employee who helped me had the highlights..I could tell she was irritated with the lady before me picking up a cake, asking questions, asking to have her water bottle filled. I patiently waited my turn and when she called me next I was very kind and polite to her, she was so downright cold and rude to me for no reason. Flipped the little card reader around and walked away before even finishing up our transaction, said thanks as she was walking away not even to my face...it was just so unwelcoming and stand offish for no reason that I won't be coming back or recommending this place I don't think, even if the pastries and breads look beautiful and taste good. To be fair, the other employee with the long dark pony tail seemed very gracious and friendly with customers. I get we all have those days I guess ... but I've worked in bakeries and restaurants before...this was mid-day on a Wednesday...like damn girl take a deep breath and chill. no reason to treat paying customers like that.
Brittany Murlas
Great service. And best morning bun in the bay!Wheelchair accessibility: It can be cramped inside but otherwise accessible when it comes to making your order. Helpful staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bakery
Ben Hart
Smells of wonderful bread and pastries before you even step through the door. I highly recommend the kalamata olive loaves. We used one of those paired with some salami and Humboldt Fog cheese that we had gotten from the deli next door and made an absolutely scrumptious sandwich.Only one minor critique is that they didn't have a slicer or a way to open the bread so I was forced to use my hands when it came to opening them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel B.
We got a few pastries from La Farine and they were outstanding. Five stars. We picked up a Raspberry Croissant ($4.50), Chocolate Eclair ($2.95), and Mini Cupcake ($2.25). To give you an idea of how good these were, I was completely stuffed from lunch and still inhaled these. I wasn't expecting to eat anything. The Raspberry Croissant came in the shape of a rectangle. It was wonderfully flaky with a delicious icing on top and a luscious raspberry filling inside. It was perfect. The Chocolate Eclair was fluffy and light with a generous portion of cream inside. It was superb. The Mini Cupcake was pumpkin spice flavor. It was dense and moist, and the frosting was on the sweeter side. Overall, these were all high-quality, well-made, delectable baked treats. My wife and I would definitely be regulars here if we lived in the area. She noticed this place after we had just eaten lunch at nearby Southie (excellent restaurant, by the way: ). We took our pastries and ate them on the sidewalk patio with coffee from/at nearby Cole Coffee (cafe, also excellent: ). So, we had a true, local Rockridge experience on this particular afternoon. La Farine doesn't have any seating. This is strictly a to-go/takeout bakery and patisserie. It's small and it smelled really good inside. There were shelves and two display cases stocked with a nice, wide variety of fresh-baked breads, cakes, cookies, and more. A couple of the more unique items I saw were Persimmon Pudding ($20.00) and slices of Plum Frangipane tart ($4.25 each). They also offered a very limited selection of coffee and tea. La Farine partnered with McLaughlin Coffee of Emeryville to create their own private label coffee. The bakery is traditional, not trendy. Our La Farine bag said, "Est. 1977." I believe this location on College Avenue is the original. At the time of writing this review, there are three locations in Oakland. I noticed the Fruitvale location shares the same distinct blue tiles on its storefront as this location in Rockridge. Service was great. I recommend this place.
Ghada Ahmed
This location does not know how to handle customer issues appropriatly. It is very unfortunate. Be on the look out for the type of cake you are buying and ask for the written menu to make sure you are getting what you are buying. We went to the bakery to purchase a birthday cake. We chose the scilian chocolate cake based on the descirption provided by a nice bakery team member. The young lady was nice and cordial. We did not see any description on the cake name card in the display and the bakery team member helping us did not direct us to one either. She went on to describe the cake as a pistachio, chocolate ganashe cake with hazelnut. We said that the hazelnut, chocolate and pistachio is a great combo and we decided to get it. However when we tasted the cake there was not any hazelnut flavoring or any hazelnut in it. I called the store and was transferred to the cake baker who became very defensive, pretty much suggested that my understanding of what the cake is made of is not correct and there is no way that their team member would incorrctly describe the cake. She then went on to say that the only way to resolve this is to watch the store video and call me back the following day. I did not mind. She called me back saying the same thing she said before that the vidoe shows the bakery assistant telling us that this is a pistachio chocolate genache cake. I responded by saying that the young lady repeated the statment several times and confirmed that cake included hazelnut. This was a very unfortunate exchange with the La Farine baker who did not suggest anything to address the probem appropriately. They are not customer friendly and are unwilling to remedy mishaps like this one. This is very different experience from Fournée Bakery where I have always recieved great service, accurate description and fantastic cakes.
Food: 3
Service: 1
Simone Sims
Yummy lemon bars and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lemon Shortbread, Bakery, Fruit Tart, Carrot Cake
Naomi J.
I was able to pick up a cake and 20 pastries to-go without ordering ahead. My group loved the raspberry chocolate cake (5/5 stars) and the pastries were great, too! Staff were very accommodating and helpful. There's no seating inside, but otherwise the ambiance is nice, and they even have a table where you can set down your bag while you order.
Alexandra Bishop
It was very disappointing given the great reviews. I got frangipane but there was no almond paste anywhere, and it was a bit chewy. Cost: $3.75I also got a morningbun which was crumbly and dry and which left a slight hydrogenated fat feel in my mouth.It kind of felt like these were day old desserts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Bakery
Leslie Burton
Wonderful pastries and cakes. The staff is very nice and if you call ahead they will put something aside for you until you can get there. I love their Irish soda bread!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Almond Croissant, Irish Soda Bread, Bakery, Fresh Fruit Tarte, Fruit Tart
A.K. Young
An adorable French-inspired bakery that adds immeasurable charm to the neighborhood. I've never had a better sugar cookie (probably because they are shortbread cookies), and I love that their dinner buns are .75, rye raison rolls $1.95Two notes:1. Their croissants don't seem to be that fresh, and have a texture more like puff-pastry than croissant dough. Their bread/ cookie products are superior.2. If you are also a vegetarian or otherwise want to keep meat and savory pastries quite separate from other goods, you'll have to ask to have that done. I was surprised when they didn't do that automatically, and while only a tiny inconvenience to me, it may be a much larger issue for another patron.
I can demolish some carbohydrates. Everything in this place was amazing. Love the artisanal, rustic vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica Ii
Almond/Frangipane croissant success!It was a different style than I’m used to. The almond filling was rolled in to the lamination, the edges were slightly caramelized, and the dough moist.What I tried and would buy again:Frangipane croissantRaspberry croissantOrange current sconeAlmond caramel tartLemon shortbreadService was excellent and friendly.Free 60 min parking in the Safeway parking lot across the street, or paid street parking.
I've been wanting to try this place for a hot minute and was finally in the neighborhood. I got 2 pastries and a coffee, I wanted to come back to grab an olive loaf but I don't think I will be back. When I went in there was 2 employees behind the counter working the front, one with a long dark pony tail and another with a dark pony tail & blonde highlights. The employee who helped me had the highlights..I could tell she was irritated with the lady before me picking up a cake, asking questions, asking to have her water bottle filled. I patiently waited my turn and when she called me next I was very kind and polite to her, she was so downright cold and rude to me for no reason. Flipped the little card reader around and walked away before even finishing up our transaction, said thanks as she was walking away not even to my face...it was just so unwelcoming and stand offish for no reason that I won't be coming back or recommending this place I don't think, even if the pastries and breads look beautiful and taste good. To be fair, the other employee with the long dark pony tail seemed very gracious and friendly with customers. I get we all have those days I guess ... but I've worked in bakeries and restaurants before...this was mid-day on a Wednesday...like damn girl take a deep breath and chill. no reason to treat paying customers like that.
Great service. And best morning bun in the bay!Wheelchair accessibility: It can be cramped inside but otherwise accessible when it comes to making your order. Helpful staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bakery
Smells of wonderful bread and pastries before you even step through the door. I highly recommend the kalamata olive loaves. We used one of those paired with some salami and Humboldt Fog cheese that we had gotten from the deli next door and made an absolutely scrumptious sandwich.Only one minor critique is that they didn't have a slicer or a way to open the bread so I was forced to use my hands when it came to opening them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We got a few pastries from La Farine and they were outstanding. Five stars. We picked up a Raspberry Croissant ($4.50), Chocolate Eclair ($2.95), and Mini Cupcake ($2.25). To give you an idea of how good these were, I was completely stuffed from lunch and still inhaled these. I wasn't expecting to eat anything. The Raspberry Croissant came in the shape of a rectangle. It was wonderfully flaky with a delicious icing on top and a luscious raspberry filling inside. It was perfect. The Chocolate Eclair was fluffy and light with a generous portion of cream inside. It was superb. The Mini Cupcake was pumpkin spice flavor. It was dense and moist, and the frosting was on the sweeter side. Overall, these were all high-quality, well-made, delectable baked treats. My wife and I would definitely be regulars here if we lived in the area. She noticed this place after we had just eaten lunch at nearby Southie (excellent restaurant, by the way: ). We took our pastries and ate them on the sidewalk patio with coffee from/at nearby Cole Coffee (cafe, also excellent: ). So, we had a true, local Rockridge experience on this particular afternoon. La Farine doesn't have any seating. This is strictly a to-go/takeout bakery and patisserie. It's small and it smelled really good inside. There were shelves and two display cases stocked with a nice, wide variety of fresh-baked breads, cakes, cookies, and more. A couple of the more unique items I saw were Persimmon Pudding ($20.00) and slices of Plum Frangipane tart ($4.25 each). They also offered a very limited selection of coffee and tea. La Farine partnered with McLaughlin Coffee of Emeryville to create their own private label coffee. The bakery is traditional, not trendy. Our La Farine bag said, "Est. 1977." I believe this location on College Avenue is the original. At the time of writing this review, there are three locations in Oakland. I noticed the Fruitvale location shares the same distinct blue tiles on its storefront as this location in Rockridge. Service was great. I recommend this place.
This location does not know how to handle customer issues appropriatly. It is very unfortunate. Be on the look out for the type of cake you are buying and ask for the written menu to make sure you are getting what you are buying. We went to the bakery to purchase a birthday cake. We chose the scilian chocolate cake based on the descirption provided by a nice bakery team member. The young lady was nice and cordial. We did not see any description on the cake name card in the display and the bakery team member helping us did not direct us to one either. She went on to describe the cake as a pistachio, chocolate ganashe cake with hazelnut. We said that the hazelnut, chocolate and pistachio is a great combo and we decided to get it. However when we tasted the cake there was not any hazelnut flavoring or any hazelnut in it. I called the store and was transferred to the cake baker who became very defensive, pretty much suggested that my understanding of what the cake is made of is not correct and there is no way that their team member would incorrctly describe the cake. She then went on to say that the only way to resolve this is to watch the store video and call me back the following day. I did not mind. She called me back saying the same thing she said before that the vidoe shows the bakery assistant telling us that this is a pistachio chocolate genache cake. I responded by saying that the young lady repeated the statment several times and confirmed that cake included hazelnut. This was a very unfortunate exchange with the La Farine baker who did not suggest anything to address the probem appropriately. They are not customer friendly and are unwilling to remedy mishaps like this one. This is very different experience from Fournée Bakery where I have always recieved great service, accurate description and fantastic cakes.
Food: 3
Service: 1
Yummy lemon bars and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lemon Shortbread, Bakery, Fruit Tart, Carrot Cake
I was able to pick up a cake and 20 pastries to-go without ordering ahead. My group loved the raspberry chocolate cake (5/5 stars) and the pastries were great, too! Staff were very accommodating and helpful. There's no seating inside, but otherwise the ambiance is nice, and they even have a table where you can set down your bag while you order.
It was very disappointing given the great reviews. I got frangipane but there was no almond paste anywhere, and it was a bit chewy. Cost: $3.75I also got a morningbun which was crumbly and dry and which left a slight hydrogenated fat feel in my mouth.It kind of felt like these were day old desserts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Bakery
Wonderful pastries and cakes. The staff is very nice and if you call ahead they will put something aside for you until you can get there. I love their Irish soda bread!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Almond Croissant, Irish Soda Bread, Bakery, Fresh Fruit Tarte, Fruit Tart
An adorable French-inspired bakery that adds immeasurable charm to the neighborhood. I've never had a better sugar cookie (probably because they are shortbread cookies), and I love that their dinner buns are .75, rye raison rolls $1.95Two notes:1. Their croissants don't seem to be that fresh, and have a texture more like puff-pastry than croissant dough. Their bread/ cookie products are superior.2. If you are also a vegetarian or otherwise want to keep meat and savory pastries quite separate from other goods, you'll have to ask to have that done. I was surprised when they didn't do that automatically, and while only a tiny inconvenience to me, it may be a much larger issue for another patron.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
I can demolish some carbohydrates. Everything in this place was amazing. Love the artisanal, rustic vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Almond/Frangipane croissant success!It was a different style than I’m used to. The almond filling was rolled in to the lamination, the edges were slightly caramelized, and the dough moist.What I tried and would buy again:Frangipane croissantRaspberry croissantOrange current sconeAlmond caramel tartLemon shortbreadService was excellent and friendly.Free 60 min parking in the Safeway parking lot across the street, or paid street parking.
Recommended dishes: Almond Croissant, Raspberry Croissant, Orange Currant Scone, Lemon Shortbread, Bakery, Pastries
Excellent scones - divine
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bread Display, Orange Currant Scone, Raspberry Walnut, Fruit Tart
Excellent. Order the Gallette, baguettes, fruit tarts and batards.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best pastry stores I've ever been to in my life. My experience may be limited though. Creamy, rich, and plenty to try.