Any place one can buy Kouign Amann in SF?

Question

Tom fell in love with kouign amann while on our home exchange in Brittany, I have been searching for a bakery in San Francisco that sells this. I tried using David Leibovitz's version which was too bread like and not the chewy, flaky pastry we remember from Brittany and will try Madeleine Kaman's recipe in When French Women Cook. However, I suspect I will not be able to bake this at home since I'm a terrible baker and would love to find someplace to buy kouign amann.

Answer

Call (415) 558-8016. Pilinut has discussed this with Patisserie Philippe - they do make it - but not every day.

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Patisserie Philippe (moving)
655 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Answer

I love kouign amann, too, but have never seen any around here, though I was told that I missed an opportunity at Patisserie Philippe a couple of weeks ago. I think someone put in a special order, and there were several pieces left over. If you do order some, please post and let the rest of us know if and when we can descend on the patisserie to pick some up :-)

Oh, and please do post about your experiences making kouign amann! I'd love to hear about how it goes, and may even try to make some while taking a rest from my frustrating attempts at canelé.

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Patisserie Philippe (moving)
655 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Answer

Tasting Table San Francisco just tweeted that Sons & Daughters (former site of Cafe Mozart) has them for breakfast.
http://twitter.com/TastingTableSF/status/21000760501

Hope a chowhound tries one soon.

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Sons & Daughters
708 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108

Answer

former GD pastry chef belinda leong is starting her own place and i know she tested some out at a special flour + water breakfast a few weeks ago.

i also saw some being sold by a bakery whose name i didn't recognize yesterday at the temescal farmer's market

Answer

Saw some last week at La Bedaine in Albany.

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La Bedaine
1585 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94706

Answer

Starter Bakery's also available at Farm : Table

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Farm Table
754 Post St, San Francisco, CA

Starter Bakery
1552 Beach Street, Suite R, Oakland, CA 94608

Answer

7x7 Magazine has an article on them & where to get them in SF:
http://www.7x7.com/eat-drink/croissant-dethroned-all-hail-kouign-amann

Answer

Was on the search for a Kouign Amann this weekend:

Four Barrel only gets them M, W, F, so on Sat morning, none was available. Got a cannele that they sell from Mission Beach Cafe $4 for one. Tasted ok.

Sat afternoon walked over to Little Vine in North Beach, they were sold out of them. They don't get them everyday, best to call them & request them to be held for you. Their hrs: T-F 11-7; Sat 10-7; Sun 11-5. 415-702-5431.

Sun morning - called Farm:Table & they don't answer the phone even though I called around 10am. Rushed over there & saw a plate of Poached Pear filled Kouign Amann, one is $5 CASH ONLY. Got it, it was tasty. Flaky, had caramelized sugar on the bottom. Was gonna just take a few bites, but finished the thing off, it's about 7 bites, not too big. Hrs: M-F 7:30-3; Sat 8-3; Sun 9-3.

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Mission Beach Cafe
198 Guerrero St., San Francisco, CA 94103

Farm Table
754 Post St, San Francisco, CA

Little Vine
1541 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Answer

Belinda Leong is doing her popup pastry shop again tomorrow (12/11) at flour+water, 9-12n. She promises Cinnamon Apple Kouign Amann. I will have to swing by since I have never experienced this delight that others speak of. I last bought some of her baked goods at the Japan Bake Sale and kicked myself for not buying a whole box. Hers were our hands down favorites, delectable in every way. 

Oh, I also saw them for sale at Remedy in Oakland this morning. Not sure who is baking for them. I had just had bfast or I would have indulged.

Answer

Mention of Starter's KA in NYT article from late November, found by a Van local hound fmed: http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/a-pastry-from-brittany-making-waves-stateside/

Answer

Okay, I am the original poster who wanted kouign after returning from Bretagne where we had several versions. Have now tried Philippe's (custom made for us chowhounds), Starter Bakery, and Belinda Leong's and have to say I think Belinda Leong's wins for tastiness although not quite the buttery/gooey butter cake we had in Brittany. Belinda's is flaky, crispy, caramelized and keeps well for a few days which is great since I was so enamored of finally tasting her's and meeting her at the Ferry Building Farmer's Market this Saturday that I bought too many. She agreed with me that the technique is exacting which is why I am never going to try to make my own again (see another chowhound thread for this particular disaster) and will only seek out Belinda's or Starter Bakery's when the craving strikes again.

Answer

Discussed on another thread, http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/828068#7073652 , Octoberfeast Bakery makes a Kouign Amann-like product they call "Reaper buns." They sell them at their storefront and at the Temescal Farmer's Market, possibly others. They're shorter but wider than a standard Kouign Amann, and if memory serves correctly from ~2 years ago, have more mass.

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OctoberFeast Bakery
1954 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Answer

Original poster here...wanted to add to this thread that we went to Cyrus in Healdsburg since they are closing in late August and we felt we had to try it. I was astonished to see that at the end of the meal they brought over a small box with a kouign amann in it! We were suppose to take it home after we added our selection of mignardises from the cart. What an astonishing finale! Why would Cyrus with it's Asian-French inflected food give us kouign amann as a final course???? The stars must be in alignment.

Answer

Whenever I need a dozen or so, it's Starter's booth at the Wednesday Albany farmers' market. They always have plenty, in several varieties. $3.75 unfilled (my preference), $4 for the others. Also got a nice spelt loaf last time.

Wednesdays 3-6 PM
Solano Ave just west of San Pablo
Parking is no problem, especially if you ride a bike.

PS Also a very nice sorbet vendor right next to Starter, half a dozen flavors at least.

Answer

Le Marais, the new French bakery in the Marina, lists KA on the menu. Who's tried 'em?
http://www.lemaraisbakery.com/menu/

Le Marais
2066 Chestnut St
San Francisco, CA
415-359-9801
Daily 7 to 7

Answer

Chromatic Coffee recently switched from Starter Bakery to C'est Si Bon Bakery in San Jose, and the kouign-amann is very good, despite looking like it's been run over by a truck:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssfire/10898729186/

Here's the cut-away view:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssfire/10898728746/in/photostream/

I think it's superior to the version from Starter bakery: better combination of caramelized goo, crystallized encrusted goo, and interior goo.

Answer

I see that this thread continues. I noted that Rustic Bakery (outlets around Marin) sells KA everyday. Have not taken a taste test at this point.

Answer

Just saw it in the TJ Flyer 4 for $3.99.

Answer

Lord the best ones are at b patisserie on Calif and Divis. I went off carbs for a week to treat myself to one

Answer

Spotted kouign amann in the frozen pastry section of Trader Joes. I'm sure it's not very good (though their chocolate croissants get surprisingly good reviews), but I did think it was funny evidence that kouign amann has reached some sort of cultural saturation tipping point.

Answer

Trader Joe's is now selling Kouign Amann, frozen, to rise overnight and bake. It is delicious though I have had had the home version in Brittany.

Answer

Pamplemousse Patisserie in Redwood City has started offering Kouign-amann every so often (not every day).

It's very respectable: good buttery flavor, nicely layered, while being lighter and less dense than others:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ssfire/15412815861/

However, it's missing the caramelized goo that's so addictive; I would say it's better than Starter Bakery, but not as good as Satura Cakes. Not worth a trip.

Answer

Craftsman & Wolves on Valencia St, SF. now makes a chocolate kouign amann $4.25 ea. Sold cold, I ate one and it was ok. Not as good as Starter Bakery or B Patisserie. It does taste better heated up in the oven at home.

2 coconut macaroon $2.50 ea - looks so cute, taste was ok so far. 

Financier $3.75 - a round pastry, it was yummy. I liked it.

Coupe $7 - looked interested, I took a bite and thought it was just ok. I don't recommend it.

Use Yelp CheckIn to save 15% off your total. Charged it.

Answer

I was the original poster that started this thread and I think we have a new winner for kouign amann. I stopped by Marla Bakery (3619 Balboa St, San Francisco) for their levain loaf and saw kouign amain for the first time so I had to try it. Tom and I split one chocolate one and in our opinion it is the closest to what we had in Brittany so far. Starter Bakery and Belinda Leong make good kouign but they have more of a flaky croissant texture. In Brittany the kouign we had was denser, gooier and more buttery. Marla Bakery's version is more breadlike and denser, less flaky than B Patisserie orStarter. At the bottom is a rim of caramel. The center is slightly chewy. Tom says this is the best thus far in our search. I talked with the pastry manager and they only make a few during the weekday and more on weekends. They vary the flavor weekly. I warned her that the last time I posted that Phillippe of the now closed Phillippe Patisserie was making kouign as a special order, he sold out of his limited batch. I believe Marla now has a second location at the Ferry Building but don't know if they have kouign at both branches.

Answer

Some KA data points:

- I recommend the triple-chocolate KA at Alexander's Patisserie in Mountain view (see photo for the cross-sectional analysis). It's more flaky and less caramelized than a traditional one, but still really good. You need to heat it up in a toaster oven. Almost worth a trip for this.

- Alexander's features a new innovation in KA technology: the KA loaf. $8 on Saturdays. It's OK; not as good as a traditional KA.

Answer

Mr. Holmes does something called an Amelie Amann from time to time.
http://winstonwanders.com/2015/12/02/mr-holmes-bakehouse-lower-nob-hill/

Answer

Had the KA from Grain D'Or on Clement this morning. Looked good in the case, but it wasn't meant to be. Only the bottom was caramelized. The rest had the texture of day old pastry.

Answer

Alexander's Patisserie in Mountain View has a pretty decent Kouign Amann. https://www.yelp.com/biz/alexanders-patisserie-mountain-view

I haven't tried the one from Manresa Bread because I didn't want to wait in line, but it looked good! https://www.yelp.com/biz/manresa-bread-los-gatos

Answer

Two more data points to get your kouign amann on:

Pascaline Patisserie in Sebastopol, 
http://www.chowhound.com/post/pascaline-patisserie-cafe-sebastopol-sonoma-county-1044624

Jane the Bakery in San Francisco,
http://www.chowhound.com/post/jane-bakery-western-addition-san-francisco-1045202

Answer

As the original poster with the ideal being the kouign amann we had in Brittany, I have to say the current top kouign is at Arsicault on Arguello in SF. Although famed for the flakiness of their croissants, their kouign is chewier with nice caramelizatiion.

Answer

I tried the heat and serve version at TJ's in an interesting oven proof plastic tray.( I think it's made by La Boulangerie Mach 2.) Very disappointing, even at that low price point. By the time the outside was burnt, the inside was still doughy.

Answer

Stopped by a new French bakery in Lafayette - La Châtaigne. Had the Kouign Amann. It was great. My only other experience is the Starter Bakery version, which I loved. This was similar but just a bit crisper and fresher since it's made on the premises. Can't wait to go back to try the croissants, which were lined up on the counter. They looked wonderful. The little shop is located in Fiesta Square where the Lafayette outposts of Chow and Roam Burgers are also located.

Answer

I know Marla Bakery on Balboa St was mentioned above but they have a spot at the Ferry Building now. I haven't been in awhile but about a year ago they had a KA that was worth checking out.

Answer

"b. patisserie" Long line but amazing food

Answer

Kouign Amann at Verve Coffee Roasters on Market at Church in SF - from Manresa Bread.

Answer

B Patisserie has the one of the best Kouign Amann in SF.

Answer

Last May I took a peek at Spruce Cafe & Patisserie in South San Francisco after having lunch at Night Market next door. I spotted these kouign amann then. But I didn't buy one to try, promising myself I'd return for a cup of Ritual coffee and a breakfast treat. Well, that hasn't happened yet, so I wanted to add this to the list in case somebody else has a chance to check it out.

https://www.sprucecafe.com/

Answer

Today I had a Kouign Amann at Driver's Market in Sausalito. AlI can say is "Wow!". It was dense and chewy, buttery/carmely. I don't consider myself an aficionado of Kouign Amann, but it seemed to be just what has been described above as the way Kouign Amann is supposed to be. Check it out yourself. It's not always in their pastry case and I don't know their policy on making it.

http://driversmarket.com

Answer

Now spotted at Peet's in San Ramon no less. The one I had was more like a Kouign Danish with a custard filing & berries. Nice carmelization on dough, kind of heavy. I would eat again, but not too often.

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They have them here: http://bpatisserie.com/menu/

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A reminder to those in this epic, evergreen thread that Thursday, June 20, is National Kouign Amann Day.

b patisserie in San Francisco will be hosting a special event from noon to 6pm offering 13 of its throwback flavors.
https://www.facebook.com/events/743489196067441/

Answer

I scuttled around Palo Alto a bit today to find one, and landed at Mayfield Bakery. Nice crunch outside, nice flake inside, with just a dot of chewy center. 

Mayfield Bakery and Cafe
855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Answer

I did not miss National Kouign Amann Day. I'm just very late in posting, but better late than never.

First stop was Mademoiselle Colette in downtown Menlo Park. Now, these folks were ready for KA Day with a savory offering and a plain KA. The goat cheese, ham, sesame seeds and olive oil one was quite light and airy, almost like a popover. The traditional KA had a denser middle.

https://www.mademoisellecolette.com/

Answer

Then on to Manresa Bread in Los Altos. The signage helpfully warns that the kouign amann contains butter. 

As might be expected, the KA hews quite closely to b patisserie's, given that Belinda Leong perfected hers while executive pastry chef at Manresa restaurant. I liked this much more than Colette's though I wish it were heavier.

Answer

Some how I've never managed to taste the special flavors of KA (black sesame or pandan) that b. patisserie does for Chinese New Year. So I'm posting this reminder for myself and others that pre-orders start on Monday for the following weekend. The Lunar New Year menu will be available Feb 12 to 28 for in-store pick on Friday-Sunday.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKuqZO-HGRM/

https://bpatisserie.com/
2821 CALIFORNIA ST @ DIVISADERO ST
San Francisco

Answer

Gary Danko at Home is offering the full size version, Strawberry Rhubarb Breton Kouign Amann for pre-order and pick-up this weekend to serve 3 to 4, $22.
https://www.exploretock.com/garydanko/
(Edited to add: sold out of KA this week! Let's hope it returns to the menu.)

And b. patisserie is celebrating the annual Kouign Amann day on Sunday, June 20 with Chef Pierre Herme by showcasing his signature flavors! Pre-order for pick-up only in 9-piece box sets, $45, no substitutions.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CP_RCpDnmH6/

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