Union League Patisserie

I visited this bakery yesterday for the first time and while everything I’ve tried so far (almond croissant, macaroons, iced matcha, half a coffee eclair pictured) was yummy, I don’t see myself coming back. After paying for my order I noticed the price for my matcha was a dollar different from the price on the menu. After bringing it up, the manager finally reluctantly gave me the dollar difference. Funny enough the only other customer in the store heard our conversation and it sounded like her order was incorrectly charged as well…and while it is only a dollar, its the principle and their customer service was what truly showed. Additional, no gloves were worn to handle the pastries, or tongs, or handwashing witnessed, and finally the picture speaks as to why I definitely probably won’t come back, truly unfortunate.

The Buche de Noel is an exquisite seasonal treat! I love the hazelnut filling and chocolate ganache coating. It was hard not to eat the whole thing, but I'm trying to save some for tomorrow! I took it slow and savored each exceptional bite. It's the fanciest gift I've received this season, with the gold shavings and presentation in the beautiful blue box and bag! I marveled at every bite, how carefully each element was put together, including the slices of chocolate on the ends and the crispy rice balls on top and the hazelnut in the middle. I think I tasted some cinnamon? It's like a work of art, so tiny and yet so carefully put together. What a taste experience! I don't normally gush about such things, but it may be the closest thing to perfection that I've tasted! And what a beautiful place! This cozy and elegant patisserie is very inspiring, like you just want to live a fine life when you're there. We need more spaces like this in our day and age! The staff is very welcoming and helpful. Thank you for providing a truly bright spot on what was an otherwise cold and gloomy December day!

The lemon meringue tart was delicious: not too sweet, the right amount of acidity, crisp crust. The chocolate pave had a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth chocolatey mouse. The croissant was also very nice. Highlight: I was particularly impressed with the coffee. I would actually go back just for the cortado (it was excellent). I recommend this place!

Was eager to try this new patisserie in New Haven but left disappointed by the quality of the pastry and treatment from the staff. After 10 minutes of awkward silence and avoidance from the two employees who had their unmistakable discontent on full display at the pastry case (in the nearly empty establishment), I had to inquire about making a purchase. From the missing caramelization crunch from the canele’ and limp soggy texture of the puff pastry from the apple chausson it became evident the pastry was not prepared daily. Let’s be clear the pastry isn’t awful, it just isn’t fresh. From a price standpoint Union League Patisserie is reasonable in comparison to its counterparts in the area. All in all despite its close proximity will probably opt to visit Hen and Heifer for a true French patisserie experience in the future.

The lemon meringue tarte is phenomenal, a perfect balance between the sharp, tangy lemon and the sweet, creamy meringue. The pastry crust stayed crispy even though I left it in my fridge overnight. I would definitely come back again!