Paulo Valdez Bakery Inc

06/13/09

End of an era

by ripfuel45 at Citysearch

My obsession with this bakery came to a screeching halt this morning. I've been a regular here for over a year. THEN ... Claude recently retired and evidently took with him everything that makes this place great. Went this morning and the croissants were hard and stale. I thought I had walked into the wrong place. AND, my girlfriend found a piece of hair inside one of the layers. When we tried showing it to the lady behind the counter (discreetly to save her the embarrassment), she quickly picked out the hair and raised her hands with the "what hair?" expression on her face. Did she actually think we didn't notice??? Just then another customer walked in and she apparantly didn't want to disclose we were discussing hair in the food so starts shouting, "there is no piece of paper in there." Unbelievable. I didn't want to deal with her so started to walk away but my gf said, "Look, there was a piece of HAIR in there, and now you're holding it in your right hand...see?" The lady couldn't play dumb anymore and just gave us a "Who cares? It's just hair" look. We walked out with more disappointment than anger as we have to find a new place for croissants.

Any suggestions?

• Pros: Used to be the best
• Cons: Not so much anymore

08/09/08

The croissants and quiches are scrumptious but everything is frequently served with a side portion of the owner's and cook's acidic grumpiness referred to by several other reviewers.

by Saltillo at Citysearch

Yes, enjoy the chocolate croissants, not as sickingly sweet as the American imitations; savor the quiche, visually exciting as well as tasty (albeit not up to the onion tarte of Rue Mouffetard), but take everything to go to Washington Square Park or even Abingdon Square Park so you combine the sweet visage of a sunny day with the food. That way you can purchase your favorite java, as one reviewer mentioned, and even some juice at the nearby supermarket and have a sweet family breakfast. Combine these various elements, with Claude's items at the center, into an edible collage of your own creation sans le visage "grumpy."

• Pros: Alluring onion tartes
• Cons: You need to concentrate on the food only.

08/05/08

Better than Paris!

by noelliiie at Citysearch

This is the most delicious food you will ever put in your mouth. Claude works so hard. I always seem him pulling fresh croissants, quiches, and cookies out of the oven. This is a VERY small place but serves the best food you will EVER eat. The croissants and quiche taste better than being in France and you are right in the West Village, NYC. This is an authentically French pattisserie with such a charm to it.

SO DELICIOUS. Worth trying or walking to on a weekend for a great goodies to take back home with you.

• Pros: Mini Spinach Quiche, Croissant au chocolat, Almond croissant, mini cookies
• Cons: NOTHING