Best Pastries in SoWal?

**Paula** · 03-26-2012, 05:02 AM

Where are the best pastries in SoWal? Not muffins, not cakey pastries. I'm talking about the flaky pastries - plain croissants or filled pastries, that taste fresh from the oven. Ideally, I'm looking for a place on the east side of 30A - Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seacrest Beach but I'll go anywhere for a nice fresh pastry.

For donuts, there's Charlie's donut truck in Alys Beach, though their hours are hard to predict. For beignets, there's Flip Flops who have them but I think in the summer only (we'll check if they have them during spring break as well). A lot of the coffee shops have very good muffins and cakey pastries (scones). But I am at a loss for where I can find flaky pastry.

Well, I'm off to spinning to make room for my SoWal pastries because I know I'll get some good recommendations on this board!

**Vitamin D** · 03-26-2012, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Paula

Where are the best pastries in SoWal? Not muffins, not cakey pastries. I'm talking about the flaky pastries - plain croissants or filled pastries, that taste fresh from the oven. Ideally, I'm looking for a place on the east side of 30A - Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seacrest Beach but I'll go anywhere for a nice fresh pastry.

For donuts, there's Charlie's donut truck in Alys Beach, though their hours are hard to predict. For beignets, there's Flip Flops who have them but I think in the summer only (we'll check if they have them during spring break as well). A lot of the coffee shops have very good muffins and cakey pastries (scones). But I am at a loss for where I can find flaky pastry.

Well, I'm off to spinning to make room for my SoWal pastries because I know I'll get some good recommendations on this board!

Good luck with that search. SOWAL is not civilization and does not have anything like a real bakery. The closet, albeit "earthy" is Lalobas in Blue Mt. At least they use quality ingredients!

**beachmouse** · 03-26-2012, 08:31 AM

Fresh Market in Destin has a few different varieties of croissants and such. I know that a real Frenchman would probably sneer, but I find their chocolate croissant flowers to be addicting.

I wish Fabrice was still around here.

**Joyce Owen** · 03-26-2012, 08:52 AM

I've had scones from Wild Olives in Rosemary Beach and noticed there were other breakfast goodies in the display case. You might want to check them out.

**Allifunn** · 03-27-2012, 10:43 AM

I have fresh pastries at Fonville Press. I have them brought in from Bon Appetite in Ft Walton. Boskin is a French pastry chef. Chocolate croissants (to die for!), Ham & gureyere croissants, spinach and feta croissants and plain croissants. Paula....let me know when you will be here and I'll make sure I save some for you!!

**Paula** · 03-27-2012, 11:52 AM

Thanks, All. And Allifunn, knowing there are fresh pastries at Fonville Press brings happy tears to my eyes. I'll see you there (with my sweetie) the weekend of April 20. Hope to see you soon.

**Allifunn** · 03-27-2012, 01:31 PM

I look forward to seeing you!!!! (and finally meeting your sweetie!!)

**tistheseason** · 03-29-2012, 07:05 AM

Allifunn - that is good to know. We often hit Charlie's in the morning with the kids. Then head over to the alys hill to eat them and play. I'd much rather skip the donuts (for me - not my boys!) and grab a croissant at Fonville!

**salidaco** · 03-29-2012, 07:12 AM

Fen's in WaterSound...

**middlesister** · 03-30-2012, 07:18 PM

We tried Charlie's Donut Truck and were really disappointed. Can't think of the name of it but there is a dive place down front beach road heading toward Panama City. On the left and they have the best donuts. Burgers are good too but they are closed 1 day a week. Check it out. A little bit of a drive but worth it.

DD · 03-30-2012, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by Paula

Thanks, All. And Allifunn, knowing there are fresh pastries at Fonville Press brings happy tears to my eyes. I'll see you there (with my sweetie) the weekend of April 20. Hope to see you soon.

Hmmmm.....perhaps I'll see you, Paula!!

**Iris** · 03-31-2012, 01:32 PM

Am so glad to hear that Fonville Press gets things from Bon Appetit French Bakery and Cafe because they are the best anywhere around. Their pastries are top notch. They bake fresh French Bread and croissants daily. The best thing about the bread is that they both freeze very well.

**Paula** · 04-01-2012, 06:39 AM

You'll be there at the same time! Great. Haven't seen you in years. Maybe we can all meet at Fonville press for French pastries and coffee that weekend. We're thinking maybe Friday morning (I'll be with my sweetie who proposed to me last Sunday - at the coffee shop - Espresso Royale -- where we first met a few years ago!). He put the ring and a sweet note in a coffee cup while we were reading the Sunday papers. So, we're very fond of coffee shops, especially ones that have great pastries.

**Iris** · 04-01-2012, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by middlesister

We tried Charlie's Donut Truck and were really disappointed. Can't think of the name of it but there is a dive place down front beach road heading toward Panama City. On the left and they have the best donuts. Burgers are good too but they are closed 1 day a week. Check it out. A little bit of a drive but worth it.

Thomas's Donuts. They are right down (east) of Carousel Grocery Store. Best donuts around and if you are real lucky they might have warm apple fritters! Just ask how much each item costs and do your math! They are usually closed on Wednesdays.

**tistheseason** · 04-01-2012, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by Paula

(I'll be with my sweetie who proposed to me last Sunday - at the coffee shop - Espresso Royale -- where we first met a few years ago!). He put the ring and a sweet note in a coffee cup while we were reading the Sunday papers. So, we're very fond of coffee shops, especially ones that have great pastries.

What a great story! Congrats Paula!!

**Minnie** · 04-15-2012, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by Allifunn

I have fresh pastries at Fonville Press. I have them brought in from Bon Appetite in Ft Walton. Boskin is a French pastry chef. Chocolate croissants (to die for!), Ham & gureyere croissants, spinach and feta croissants and plain croissants. Paula....let me know when you will be here and I'll make sure I save some for you!!

This is great news. Love chocolate croissants and this is just down the road from us in Seacrest. See you soon.

**Minnie** · 04-15-2012, 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by middlesister

We tried Charlie's Donut Truck and were really disappointed. Can't think of the name of it but there is a dive place down front beach road heading toward Panama City. On the left and they have the best donuts. Burgers are good too but they are closed 1 day a week. Check it out. A little bit of a drive but worth it.

This place has to die for eclairs.

**Seagrovestateofmind** · 04-17-2012, 09:52 PM

Had the orange and blueberry scones at Los Lobos last weekend. Very yummy, and I am craving one of their oatmeal rasin cookies.

**Allifunn** · 04-19-2012, 10:18 AM

Paula!!! That is awesome!!!!

DD....please do try to come into Fonville whith Paula one day! Minnie and Tis...look forward to seeing you! I get the pastries from Bon Appetite on Thurs, and usually gone by Sunday. Today I am getting croissants (plain, ham & swiss, spinach & feta and chocolate) I am also getting his blueberry scones, cranberry scones and cherry danishes.

**Rbsilvey** · 04-19-2012, 12:28 PM

Unfortunately its not on 30A but I am opening a bakery/neopolitan pizzeria. We will be making croissants of many flavors, baguettes, loaves, boules, morning sticky buns, international sandwiches and wood fired pizzas. All from scratch in house using organic ingredients, and local produce whenever possible. We have Christina (the cheese lady from seaside farmers market) making her cheeses in house. Crust Artisan Bakery is located across 98 from Bayou Bills. The same shops where Fabrice's used to be. Opening next week. I look forward to meeting everyones bakery needs.

**Allifunn** · 04-19-2012, 02:37 PM

That is awesome, and you are in sowal! Can't wait to try your pizza!!

**Minnie** · 04-20-2012, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by Rbsilvey

Unfortunately its not on 30A but I am opening a bakery/neopolitan pizzeria. We will be making croissants of many flavors, baguettes, loaves, boules, morning sticky buns, international sandwiches and wood fired pizzas. All from scratch in house using organic ingredients, and local produce whenever possible. We have Christina (the cheese lady from seaside farmers market) making her cheeses in house. Crust Artisan Bakery is located across 98 from Bayou Bills. The same shops where Fabrice's used to be. Opening next week. I look forward to meeting everyones bakery needs.

Sounds great.

**Rita** · 04-20-2012, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Paula

You'll be there at the same time! Great. Haven't seen you in years. Maybe we can all meet at Fonville press for French pastries and coffee that weekend. We're thinking maybe Friday morning (I'll be with my sweetie who proposed to me last Sunday - at the coffee shop - Espresso Royale -- where we first met a few years ago!). He put the ring and a sweet note in a coffee cup while we were reading the Sunday papers. So, we're very fond of coffee shops, especially ones that have great pastries.

I need a "like" button for this! Congrats!

**Teresa** · 04-20-2012, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Rbsilvey

Unfortunately its not on 30A but I am opening a bakery/neopolitan pizzeria. We will be making croissants of many flavors, baguettes, loaves, boules, morning sticky buns, international sandwiches and wood fired pizzas. All from scratch in house using organic ingredients, and local produce whenever possible. We have Christina (the cheese lady from seaside farmers market) making her cheeses in house. Crust Artisan Bakery is located across 98 from Bayou Bills. The same shops where Fabrice's used to be. Opening next week. I look forward to meeting everyones bakery needs.

wow, can't wait! please announce your new place with details when you can!

**Teresa** · 04-20-2012, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by Paula

You'll be there at the same time! Great. Haven't seen you in years. Maybe we can all meet at Fonville press for French pastries and coffee that weekend. We're thinking maybe Friday morning (I'll be with my sweetie who proposed to me last Sunday - at the coffee shop - Espresso Royale -- where we first met a few years ago!). He put the ring and a sweet note in a coffee cup while we were reading the Sunday papers. So, we're very fond of coffee shops, especially ones that have great pastries.

oh how wonderful and sweet and exciting!!! congrats to you and sweetie!

I think we have lots of good pastries around here! I enjoy them from Wild Olives, Modia, The Donut Hole, Thomas Donuts, Great Southern Cafe has incredible begneits! and I have heard good things about Fen's, and I must get to Fonville when they have the good stuff!

Very excited about a new bakery/pizzeria in town!

**graytonbeachguy** · 04-30-2012, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Rbsilvey

Unfortunately its not on 30A but I am opening a bakery/neopolitan pizzeria. We will be making croissants of many flavors, baguettes, loaves, boules, morning sticky buns, international sandwiches and wood fired pizzas. All from scratch in house using organic ingredients, and local produce whenever possible. We have Christina (the cheese lady from seaside farmers market) making her cheeses in house. Crust Artisan Bakery is located across 98 from Bayou Bills. The same shops where Fabrice's used to be. Opening next week. I look forward to meeting everyones bakery needs.

I came in last week for pizza. Absolutely delicious! Can't wait to try your breads, cheeses and sweets.