Arsicault Bakery
Morning Bun
Kouign Amann
Almond Croissant
Cranberry Coconut Scone
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Highly touted by Bon Appetite Magazine ever since opening, an early arrival at Arsicault Bakery remains recommended, the fact that such a place continues to thrive with no website or social media in the era of Instagram a testament to its old-school approach that remains appealing to Bay Area purists.
Opened by Armando Lacayo in 2015, an Inner Richmond location separating the shop from competition and creating the sort of neighborhood feel likely to draw locals on foot, it is from residential streets that guests may access Arsicault beginning at 7:00am on weekdays, the interior filling fast while weekends frequently sell out of popular items shortly after opening at eight o’clock.
Not the only Bakery in town by any stretch, but making a name for itself with old-world recipes and classic technique from the start, it is entering the space from street level that guests will find a small counter featuring less than a dozen choices, a faint smell of Yeast tickling the nares while staff take turns taking orders, bagging items and replenishing stock from the kitchen upstairs.
Bustling but never hurried, a vastly different crowd from the sort found at Mr. Holmes at least partially responsible, it was in exchange for nearly $30 including tax and tip that five items were ported upstairs on separate plates, first bites of a still-warm Morning Bun falling short of Tartine’s excellence, though still enjoyable, while the golden Scone offered plenty of Butter plus pockets of Fruit while eating more like a Biscuit than the typical British version.
Moving next to Kouign Amann, flatter than the one at b.patisserie but structurally similar in regard to caramelization and layering, it was here that things took a dramatic turn for the worse as Arsicault’s Almond Croissant was found far too sweet thanks to Powdered Sugar and gloppy Filling, though the Cookie to finish was better than most as a result of Dark Chocolate Discs as opposed to the usual Chips.
