With light luminescing through large windows, soft pop playing gently in the background and organic pastries neatly arranged behind a glass divider, Mademoiselle Colette, a small locally owned patisserie at 499 Lytton Avenue, gives off a distinct French aura.
Mademoiselle Colette currently has two locations — one in Palo Alto and the other in Menlo Park — and the restaurant’s owners are in the process of expanding into a third location, says Delphia Rodriguez, the manager of the Palo Alto shop. The new patisserie is set to open in downtown Redwood City this June.
“[We want people to] have a little taste and experience of France without getting out their [the customer’s] passport.”
— Delphia Rodriguez, store manager
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The popularity of the distinctive and authentic French pastries have propelled the owners to open a new location which shares the same mission.
“[We want people to] have a little taste and experience of France without getting out their [the customer’s] passport,” Rodriguez says.
To this end, the patisserie boasts pastry chefs from France who start preparing the pastries at midnight and finish at 6 a.m. so they can be delivered to the shops fresh every morning.
“They use all fresh ingredients. Everything is organic so you’re getting good quality and you can really taste it,” Rodriguez says. “Some of these products I have never seen anywhere else — like I don’t know anywhere else I could get a kouign amann.”
The shop’s location behind University Avenue allows for a quiet neighborhood experience, which adds to the relaxing European atmosphere. Paired with an enthusiastic staff, genuine pastries delivered daily and immaculate decor, Mademoiselle Colette provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley.
“We’re more local and we get to really know our customers … we’re like a family here, ” Rodriguez says.
Here are some highlights from our recent visit to Mademoiselle Colette’s Palo Alto location.
French Favorites
Chicken Baguette ($13): With an authentic French baguette, lightly seasoned chicken, fresh organic arugula and sundried tomatoes, this sandwich’s perfect combination of spices and flavors makes for a satisfying lunch.
Salmon Baguette ($13): This dish, which features smoked salmon and fresh greens sandwiched between two crisp pieces of bread, serves as a great summer meal. The sandwich’s delicious flavors make it a timeless classic.
Lemon Brioche ($5.25): This pastry, with a sweet and continuous undertone of lemon, manages to balance the density of butter with the fluffiness of air pockets. Its intricate and flakey pastry layers will undoubtedly satisfy your palate.
Mini Tart ($2.80): Although it’s small in size, this delightful pastry is mighty in flavor. The combination of a flaky outer shell lightly dusted in powdered sugar with slightly sweet vanilla custard and raspberry puree in the middle, makes the mini tart an original twist on a classic dessert.
Chai Latte ($4): The small iced Chai Latte is very milky and sweet with just a hint of spice. This light and refreshing drink is perfect for a warm summer day — it’s even paired with a polka-dotted paper straw!
