West Van Bakery

[maxmillan]

I found this bakery on Marine Drive in West Vancouver last year because it was mentioned in eGullet. The name and the exact address escapes me. I'm hoping someone can remind me. It's a couple blocks east of Savary Island Pie Company. It's within a quiet street off of Marine Drive.

I believe the baker and/or owner is Iranian and she does wonderful French pastries, croissants, etc.

Is it still there?

Thanks for your help.

[canucklehead]

Unfortunately - the bakery that you refer to has changed hands. The new owner - though compentent - is not anywhere as good as the previous baker. The croissants are disapointingly cottony and dry.

The closest top notch baker I can think of is Thomas Haas in North Van.

[maxmillan]

Thanks for the info.

I'm disappointed. It was the closest to Paris' pastry that I can find in Vancouver. The croissants and danishes were absolutely heavenly. She obviously made it with love.

[Ling]

Is this Le Pic Nic? I stopped in a few weeks ago and all they had were fruit tarts and some savoury quiches.

[canucklehead]

Yes - It's Le Pic Nic: Ownership changed a few months ago and I tried one of their croissants and it was simply not the same. The fruit tarts were not as good either. Very sad.

[Paul B]

Yeah, Le Pic Nic. This place is easy walking distance from my house and I used to stop in there most Saturday mornings to buy some breakfast treats for the family. The Iranian woman who used to run it was the real thing: major French baking chops. Killer pain au chocolat. The new owners are, I believe, English and they simply don't have the touch. I may go back just to see if they've improved, but I can't imagine they'll ever be as good as the former owner.

Is there another brilliant French bakery on the North Shore? Mr. Haas is tremendous, of course, but off the beaten path.