La Boulangerie - The French Bakery, Kotturpuram

Another one on this bakery...since it is quite close to home.

It is essentially a takeaway with a variety of bakes, pastries and breads.

Going For

+ Pleasant service

+ Some tasty bakes - The veg puff and the chicken puff are very good. The filling is well done and the crust is soft and flaky. The almond croissant was good too, though a bit rich.

+ Parking is never going to be a problem outside this shop. (On the road, of course)

Not going for

- The walnut brownie - was a bit dry. Had a strong dessicated coconut taste - why add coconut to the brownie?

- Chocolate muffin - not the best muffin I've tasted. A bit dry and a bit too buttery...leaves a thick buttery feeling on your palate.

- A bit on the costly side

Veg puff costs INR 25/-. Chicken puff costs INR 40/-. Chocolate muffin is INR 35/- and the brownie costs INR 50/-. The almond croissant costs INR 60/- (while the size of the puffs and the croissant are a bit above par, the brownie is certainly small).

Reco - I would still say it is worth a try....just don't buy the chocolate muffin or the walnut brownie.

Au Bon Pain Cafe, MG Road

This cafe is located at the entrance of 'Spencer's' on MG Road. Its got a small outdoor seating area which can seat around 30 pax and overlooking MG road.

Going For

+ Different Menu - It is slightly different compared to either a cafe' or a salad bar or a bakery. There is a bit of everything here. Breads, sandwiches, soups, salads and of course coffee and pastries.

+ Walnut Brownie - Was very tasty and not too sweet!

+ Location - It is always nice to have a hot cup of coffee and a brownie or a sandwich looking at the bustling crowd on MG road.

Not Going For

- The staff need to be a bit more trained to guide the customer through the ordering / billing.

- Since it is on MG road, expect no parking unless you are in luck!

A walnut brownie comes to INR 50/-, a espresso INR 25 for a single shot and a cup of hot chocolate INR 50/- (+ taxes).

Reco - certainly worth it! I will certainly go back to try out more of the bakes and the sandwiches.

La Boulangerie - The French Bakery, Kotturpuram

Tucked beside a Citibank ATM it is a small blink and you miss sort of an outlet. It is air conditioned and sells a variety of baked items.
Going for
+ Good range of bakes – you get a variety of breads including the French loaf, puffs, pastries, mud cakes, banana cakes, muffins and quiches. Both vegetarian and non vegetarian varieties are available.
+ Fresh and tasty bakes – the white cut sandwich bread and the brown cut sandwich bread were good. So was the French loaf, the banana cake and the chicken puff.
+ Pleasant service – there are 2-3 persons at the counter, and they always serve with a smile.
No Going for
- The mushroom quiche – had a distinct raw egg taste and was disappointing.
- Breads are expensive – especially the white and brown sandwich bread portions that have only a handful of slices.
A portion of bread (10-12 slices) costs around INR 35/-. Puffs are around INR 40/-. Cakes and pastries start at around INR 40/-.
Reco – Nice place to pick up cakes, pastries and other bakes including French loaf. Avoid the mushroom quiche.

French Loaf - TTK Road - Chennai

This is a place where you get some baked desserts, (cakes, pies, soufles) and breads. French Loaf offers only takeaways and there is no place to sit and enjoy your dessert there leisurely if you so desire.

For an upmarket bakery, I should say I was not too pleased with the quality of the food. A couple of pastries that I took home were stale, probably why they do not have a place to eat at the outlet!

Avoid