Head to First Street between Bloomfield and Garden Streets and watch as you’re transported to a rue de Paris upon stepping inside Choc O Pain.
Well, almost—the owner, who actually hails from France, understands the plight of the average American and has English translations for every menu item. Likewise, all of the baristas speak English.
The window of this French bakery café (think French Starbucks) invites passersby in with displays of fresh artisan breads and a highly enticing pastry counter just beyond.
Walking in around brunch time, I was greeted by the sight of young mothers seated comfortably around tables with their infants by their sides, and their lattes and cappuccinos situated closely, too.
Eyes adjusting to the lower but warm lighting, my attention then turned to the matter at hand—what exactly to choose from the countless sweets, from macarons, tartes, and chouquettes elegantly piled high to delicate sandwiches, soups, salads, and quiches placed neatly in the adjacent counter. With the scent of freshly baked breads wafting through the air, my decision was not easy.
I knew I had to try the café’s namesake—the French staple pain au chocolat, or a croissant filled with a layer of creamy chocolate. Not having a ton of time before class, I opted for a curried chicken, apricot and raisin sandwich packaged for later. My brunch buddy chose coffee and un croissant jambon emmental, or ham and cheese baked into a croissant for those of you non-Francophiles.
All of the tables being taken on the ground level, we took our food and headed to the back of the store to a stairwell leading to the second level, but not before taking a moment to appreciate the baking magic going on in the kitchen, visible through a large window on the first level.
The second story revealed more of a library-type setting with cozy chairs and a well-stocked bookshelf. Considering there’s free Wi-Fi, this level offers a great place to sit and study.
Biting into my chocopain, if I didn’t believe I was in France before, I certainly did now. The soft, buttery and flaky texture of the croissant melted on my tongue, revealing a deliciously velvety and perfectly proportionate layer of elegantly flavored gooey chocolate. I was in heaven.
My friend agreed, as her croissant was a flavor explosion of smoked ham and rich, creamy cheese encapsulated by the same buttery croissant as mine. Her coffee was not bad but nothing special.
Later on that day, my sandwich made multivariate calculus more than bearable, as the freshness of the sourdough bread (the base of all of their breads) complemented the meshing of sweet and savory flavors contained within.
Needless to say, I wanted to try one of everything. I definitely plan on going back, and luckily doing so will not break the bank. The most expensive item I ordered (and more or less on the menu) was my sandwich ($9), and our total bill was just under $20.
Choc O Pain is the perfect place to sit and study, go for brunch, or even just grab coffee and a pastry and hang out. If you’re starving and looking for a ton of food, then this is not the place to go, as the portion sizes are between those of France and America, that is to say smaller than most are accustomed. But regardless, make the trip once, and if you appreciate great cuisine, you’ll surely be hooked.
