Maison Nico
Tart with Fig Jam, Fig Leaf Cream, Fresh Figs
Canele
Hazelnut Financier
Blueberry Almond Hyssop Croissant
Pistachio Paris Brest
When Michelin-starred French bistro Nico closed in 2019 owners Andrea and Nicolas Delaroque pivoted to Pastry, and although $45 for 5 items might seem pricey in most markets the ingredients and execution are every bit on par with what one sees in Lyon or Paris.
Located at 710 Montgomery Street near the Embarcadero, Delaroque’s Pâté en Croûte visible from a doorway where diners are forced to wait for indecisive guests and servers lacking a sense of urgency, it is once inside that one can peruse a full selection including imported Jams and Wines plus everything from Viennoiserie to Choux.
Opting to sit outside, all items carefully plated but the server never once cracking a smile, Nico’s Canele strikes a good balance of crunch to Custard while the Financier is moist with toasty notes provided by Hazelnuts.
Only offering Pâté en Croûte in portions suited for sharing, eyes instead turning to an Almond Croissant sliced and sandwiched around Blueberries with floral accents, $14 each for the Paris Brest and Fig Tart proves justified as the taste and texture of each are absolutely faultless.
www.maisonnico.com