La Banette Patisserie

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Posted 2012-10-07 by Dottie ⇒ follow

Within meters of approaching La Banette in Glebe, you will be immediately drawn by the delicious aroma of baked pastries wafting from this little patisserie - if you close your eyes, you'll think you're in downtown Paris.

Step into the patisserie, and you'll be faced with a very difficult decision: what to try. The selection of pastries at La Banette are presented on distressed wooden shelves packed with wicker baskets of flaky pastries, crusty baguettes, massive macaroons, florentines, glazed fruit tarts, chocolate eclairs, miniature gateaux and other treats.

I have to honestly say that everything I have tried at La Banette has been delicious and I would happily have any of their delights again. If I had to choose some recommendations, I would say:

the Breakfast Pack is a good selection of mini-pastries, great if you don't want to have to choose for yourself (the Apricot Danish is my favourite in the pack);
the custard in the Glazed Strawberry Tart is divinely smooth, and the strawberries are also fresh and sweet;
the Chocolate croissants would rival any authentic french patisserie in Paris.

La Banette is essentially a take-away patisserie, however there is limited seating available on the rustic wooden benches and tables. If eating in, you will be served your selections on proper plates with proper cutlery, but don't ask for a glass for your drinks - apparently, La Banette has limited glassware which is strictly reserved for coffee, and so only offers paper cups for water and juice. While I really enjoy sitting in the shopfront devouring yummy pastries, drinking out of paper cups does detract from the experience.

The service is efficient, though not particularly friendly. Don't expect any small-talk or casual banter, you probably also won't really get any recommendations on what to choose from the vast selection. It's a real shame about the service because La Banette is otherwise a really nice place to go for a morning pastry while you catch up with a friend or read the paper.

The other downside of La Banette is that they do not have any facilities for customers, so if you are eating it, don't expect to be able to wash your hands or use the restroom.

Despite the poor service and lack of facilities, I do really like La Banette and you'll often find me there in the morning, mulling over he days current affairs or just enjoying some casual people watching while I bite into a flaky chocolate croissant.