QYPE*

Caveat: I base my review only on one baguette, a croissant, and Polaine’s stellar reputation. That said, they were hands down the yummiest bread items I’ve eaten, and five years later I still remember them vividly. The baguette had a crisp, tangy crust and a soft, flavorful inside. The croissant, which was small, surely contained at least three sticks of butter! Worth the trip. And, while I don’t remember the name, there’s a shop at the other end of the street, on the same side, where my mom had the best hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted. Basically, a melted candy bar. Poilane now offers online ordering and international shipping, but only for a limited variety of their breads that travel well (generally, the harder and darker loaves).