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Green star Cafe Besalu (Ballard)

5909 24th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 789-1463
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At Besalu, ham-and-cheese and chocolate croissants, orange-glazed brioche, quiche, and more are all made with benevolent obsessiveness by pastry chef/co-owner James Miller. Everybody agrees: SO GOOD. Excellent coffee, too.
Categories: Restaurant

Restaurant Details

The Stranger's Reviews of Cafe Besalu

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 4.88000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (9) RSS

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9

One of everything, Please.

I have had the ridiculous pleasure of living a stone's throw from Besalu for quite some time. There is absolutely NOTHING made by James and his talented team that is not entirely delicious. The savory pastries are a must. I live for the addition of Panellet cookies as the true sign of fall. James' European Christmas cookie assortment is a treasure (Springerle, anyone?).

My small tip in addition to all the other raves: Their house-made Chai is the best I've encountered in Seattle (not as hardcore pepper-spicy as Morning Glory, not as sickly sweet as Oregon...just right). Please try.
Posted by Schlattastic on March 12, 2011 at 10:37 AM · Report
8

Worth the Drive

We go to France quite regularly. It's true what others say. Besalu makes pastries that rival the best that we've eaten there. Worth the drive, and definitely worth the wait (there's usually a line on weekends).
Posted by BobAndEmma on January 7, 2010 at 12:13 AM · Report
7
I don't even live in the neighborhood anymore but I make the trek across town for the buttery goodness that is served up perfectly flaky every time. The line is worth the wait. It has a charm that makes you want to linger and make room for more baked tastiness, maybe a little something for the road.
Posted by Jenfresh on May 19, 2009 at 5:02 PM · Report
6

Delicious

I lived in Paris for a year, and these croissants beat most of the ones I had there. They are amazing, and make sure to ask for the complimentary jam they have to go with them. I also recommend the ginger biscuits, which are amazing and the cardamom pretzels...they are like nothing else I've had before.
Posted by stella12345 on October 2, 2007 at 9:30 AM · Report
5

Standing in Line, Drooling!

I usually only make my way in on Saturday or Sunday mornings and invariably I am standing in line for a good 15 minutes. During my wait, I tend to have copious amounts of saliva pooling up in my mouth! This is what I expect the afterlife to smell like! Once I get through the line and order my Gruyere and Onion Pastry, I am a happy boy! They really do have the best pastries in town.
Posted by moeheavy on August 23, 2007 at 10:04 AM · Report
4

yummy yummy

I work within walking distance of CB. I love the ginger biscuits, and I do eat the quiche. It is expensive, and sometimes I just need to eat eggs, and did not cook any at home, so this is how I get my egg-fix. I have eaten almost everything they make and I LOVE BUTTER so they make me happy. The bespectacled baker is cute, is he straight? Single? I can't tell...they also make yummy hot chocolate.
Posted by DuchessofK on August 18, 2007 at 10:45 PM · Report
3

please don't go

I'm pretty sure that every time I go I take a month off my life expectancy. I just need the rest of you to get out of the damn line so I can finish myself off in style. Ginger Biscuit!
Posted by dirge on June 5, 2007 at 12:06 PM · Report
2

Just right.

Worth the wait and crowds. One of Seattle's remarkable bakeries. Not for people who are afraid of butter. Wish I could go there more often but am happy to visit on special occasions.
Posted by biggie j on May 30, 2007 at 7:26 AM · Report
1

Best croisants outside of Paris

Almost perfect. Great pastries. I don't eat quiche (real men don't), but if I did this is where I'd get it. The people are really nice. The coffee, while not bad, pales in comparison. It is without a doubt one of the best bakeries in Seattle.
Posted by Charles on May 22, 2007 at 2:49 PM · Report

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