After my recent “Croissant Compare” post, I was lucky enough to receive a couple of emails of places that baked their own croissants for me to check out! So, of course I went to check things out.
Nature Forward Socal Bistro:
I’ve actually walked past this rather new eatery in Renaissance Towne Center during my visits to Joyee.
I recall looking at the menu online and seeing Shakshuka….so I did have it on my “list”. I then received and email from “FOY” Matt who told me that on his recent visit there he saw croissants in the pastry case. Even though he didn’t have a chance to try it; the Server told him that all the pastries were made inhouse. And he was nice enough to let me know. So, I decided to head on over after doing my Farmers Market and other shopping recently.
The place seemed pretty busy when I walked in.
And I saw a croissant on display in the case. Though it didn’t look very good.
Still, since I was here, I decided to order one “to go” from the very nice woman working the counter. It was decently priced at $5. Then I waited…and waited….and waited…. It actually took over 20 minutes for my croissant! Whoa….
Anyway, thinking that they had heated it; I went to one of the public seating areas between Star Anise and Amardeen to have while hot. I opened the container and to my surprise…..
It was served with a dusting of powdered sugar! Well now….. Not quite my preference with regards to a croissant aux buerre. It was also very pale in color and after shaking off as much of the sugar as possible, I tore into it. And the color did say it all as the croissant totally lacked the crisp-flakiness of a decent croissant. It was just too doughy in texture.
The crumb was also on the doughy side, though acceptable. But it was really lacking in butteriness and of course the addition of the sugar made it skew to the sweeter side, nullifying and salt flavor as well.
This was quite disappointing to say the least. And while I may return with JJ to try out the Shakshuka; I’ll probably be passing on any future croissants here.
Nature Forward Socal Bistro
8935 Towne Centre Dr. #110
San Diego, CA 92122
Current Hours:
Sat – Tues 8am – 5pm
Wed – Fri 8am – 8pm
LuckyBolt Kitchen + Bakery:
Also after that croissant compare, KimberlyM contacted me and mentioned that LuckyBolt Kitchen + Bakery in Sorrento Valley baked their own croissants. She thought it was pretty good and wondered what I thought. Sorrento Valley? Hmmm…..wondering where this place was; I headed on over.
Arriving, I recognized this spot, across the street from the Sorrento Valley Amtrak Station as being where Zumbar Coffee & Tea is located.
Right next to that Coffee Shop sign is LuckyBolt.
I strolled on in and immediately saw the croissants “hiding” behind the signs. The friendly gentleman working affirmed that they bake their own pastries daily.
So, I got one. Priced at $4.75. I took it to go.
So, much like Wayfarer, this was one of those round, “chubby” versions. It was also pretty tiny….check it out compared to one of my coasters.
It was also overbaked as the laminate just basically exploded when I tore off a piece….croissant shrapnel everywhere….
Though I did have someone “volunteer” to help me clean up the crumbs!
The crumb was decently honeycombed and fairly light, but in need of more butter as it lacked that buttery-salt balance I’m looking for. It just seems that as a whole croissants here in SD lack the butteriness of their counterparts in Paris.
Still, I’m glad I tried it!
LuckyBolt Kitchen + Bakery
10920 Roselle St. #105
San Diego, CA 92121
Current Hours:
Mon – Sat 730am – 2pm
Closed on Sunday
Thanks again to Matt and Kimberly for thinking of us!
The food did take a while with the Huevos Rotos arriving first.
Though the eggs were overcooked; the yolks dry. 
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The highlight of the dish for us was the pillowy and warm pita. After that, well, everything was way too sour. Man, that chicken might have been ok, but the puckery-tartness overwhelmed things. Same with the green salad. Yikes, the sharp sourness just took over. Kind of a bummer.
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