Best French-style Baguette on Peninsula?

Question

I'm looking for a place on the Peninsula to buy an authentic French-style baguette. The kind that is skinny, crispy crunchy and caramel brown on the outside, with a chewy interior and irregular holes. The baguettes I had in Paris were so perfect. Most of the breads I've found that are called "baguettes" or "French bread" have soft exteriors and Wonder bread-like interiors. Has anyone found a great baguette on the Peninsula? Or am I just dreaming?

Answer

Twist Bistro in Campbell serves the best baguettes outside of Paris. Hot from the oven they arrive at your table in small paper sacks. The crust is so crisp and light that it resembles an eggshell. The warm goodness inside is soft and buttery. These are supplied by Le Boulanger as half baked baguettes. They are the same diameter of the traditional baguette but only about 7inches long. They are divine!

Answer

Look for the baguette from Bakers Of Paris. it is as close to an authentic french baguette as you can find. Call them and ask where the closest place on the Peninsula for you to shop.

Bakers of Paris

99 Park Lane
Brisbane, CA 94005
U.S.A.

You can reach us at (415) 468-9100
ext 2215

Answer

I'm really happy with the baguettes at Cocola Bakery. When you break through the thin, crispy crust, you'll find a firm but light interior.

There's a shop in RWC at 2810 Bay Rd. This is where they bake most of the goods for the other Cocola locations, so come with a bit of patience, as they're busy in the back kneading and mixing. Give it a try!

Answer

If you ever head down to San Jose, the baguettes at L'Amour Des Baguettes are AMAZING!!!!!
This place is a Vietnamese Bakery that makes baguettes all day everyday. They also make 
Vietnamese Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwiches) and they are SOOOO GOOOOOD. If you've
never had one you should definitely try one!! Here's a link for more info:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/lamour-des-baguettes-san-jose?q=baguettes

Answer

I was delighted to see this post because the search for the perfect french style baguette is a passion of mine - and I am always looking for tips.

I do want to echo two recommendations in this post as being really worth seeking out:

Firstly is the the French baguette at Feel Good Bakery in the Alameda Marketplace. This one gets "top honors" from me - it is simply divine. When fresh it is perfect unadorned or with some Brebirousse d'Argental (purchased at the cheese store in the same market) what a combination!! And if you have any left over - it is still wonderful when sliced open and toasted up with butter and roasted garlic (which I always have in my fridge) mmmmm...

In a very respectable second place (originally first place but displaced by discovery of Feel Good Bakery!!) is Acme's Rustic Baguette. Lot's of places carry Acme's regular French Baguette - but you need to ask them to carry the rustic for you - there is no comparision. Their rustic is similiar in style to the Feel Good french,.. but this bread is more available outside the East Bay due to their distribution channels...

-----
Feel Good Bakery
1650 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501

Answer

Just got back from Paris, and now I am on the prowl. Asking this question gets a lot of different answers, because, like me, if you grew up here, our bread is the best, and there is a disconnect between our bread, and what "French baguette" really means. I am so desperate to find one. Copenhagen is always tasty...

(sorry to bump an old thread).

But this may help:

http://triroute.com/looking-for-the-best-baguette-in-paris

1. If you see rows of Braille-like dots on the bottom of the loaf, it’s been baked industrially – avoid at all costs

2. A good baguette should be sturdy and hold its shape when you pick it up

3. An inferior loaf will have a smooth appearance with regularly-spaced holes when sliced. It will taste ‘cottony’ and bland and will dissolve in the mouth.

4. A good baguette will have an ‘apricot-like’ aroma

5. A superior loaf will likewise have large, irregular holes inside and uneven coloration on the crust

6. The innards should be pale-ivory in color and be chewy.

7. Look for a sign that reads ‘Artisan Boulangerie’ in the bakery, indicating that the bread is baked on the premises.

8. Bakeries that have won the Grand Prix for making the best baguettes in Paris will also have signs affixed to their windows.

Answer

Manresa Bread Project sells WONDERFUL dark, heavy baguettes (though they're fatter than super skinny) at the Palo Alto Farmers Market on Sundays, but you'll want to get there before 10 to be safe!

Answer

Mayfield Bakery in Palo Alto's Town and Country Village has very good baguettes and croissants, although I cannot speak to whether they are like Parisian baguettes.

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Best French-style Baguette on Peninsula?

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