(Tookout 06/25/2025 WE @ 5:00pm & 07/10/2024 WE @ 7:30am): The only pain felt from their chocolatey…read morebaked goods was possibly to the wallet!
In my quest to explore the various cuisine scenes and things to do throughout Jersey City and specifically the Heights, I stopped into Jersey City Heights' Choc O Pain French Bakery & Cafe Palisade Ave. location for some sweets and treats to last for a few days. Based in Hoboken & New Jersey, I've walked by this particular place numerous times next to Lo-Fidelity. I loved bready sweets and treats, but I always left such indulgences as luxury treat-yourself snacks that occurred only a few times a year. However, in these instances, my sweet teeth got the best of me. Would I pain for more chocolatey goodness after I tasted these French delicacies!?
PURCHASE
Pastry Cream Roll ($4.50): Buttery, creamy, and moist, this sweet treat with carefully-placed raisins, I lovingly ate this as I unraveled it. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=swInb6dY3L_YapVHoH2xFQ
Almond Croissant ($5.50): Buttery, flaky, and aromatically nice, my lips and fingers were lightly covered with powdered sugar after every bite. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=Hmg1aYT7fPnthlcAeoB9vg
Rosemary Focaccia Baguette ($4.25): This nearly footlong thick piece of bread, was flecked with rosemary and a hint of cheese, crusty, and had a slight spongey texture. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=FX9GDFSzP3HvjEwdn3ixjA
Babka ($4.50): Besides the funny name, I thoroughly loved this monkey bread-like pastry that fully filled and satisfied me. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=tIi2NnhK9BJRh3VXjC8kew
Chocopain ($4.50): Buttery, crispy, and flaky, this chocolate stick-centered sweet was airy and beautiful with delicate sweet flavors. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=RHUWVyEiXVytLCsplnpjFg
Aura Bora Ginger Meyer Lemon Sparkling Water 12floz Can ($4.75): The name and packaging caught my attention (damn you, marketers!). This was an effervescent drink that bursted with citrusy flavors. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=KCsFLLN0l6S6tII94tPM4A
Aura Bora Grapefruit Elderflower Sparkling Water 12floz Can ($4.75): Oddly enough, my favorite of the two drinks since I wasn;t a grapefruit fan, it was the elderflower flavor that wone me over. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=2jjUMVUCKNV5vSB9U6pR0w
Service Charge Fee 3.00% ($0.98): C'est la vie...
SERVICE
I was warmly greeted by a young man as I entered, patiently waited while I perused the options before me, and once I decided, he quickly bagged up my selections, wished me a good day, and I was on my way - easy-peasy!
PARKING (Street; N/A this instance)
This was an easy flat 10-minute walk from my friend's place. Otherwise, the only option was the plenty of spots along the main drag of Palisade Ave. and all surrounding roads - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A clean modern spacious layout https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=ZedogufoeWzRH1qXRahB_w with a separate entrance area that then opened into an open space with the central display https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=wq5u13NDZEIY30L2wpXqPA order counter directly in front of you. Any decorations were kept to a minimum for a calming sleek appearance. Plenty of natural lighting came through the large front windows and while some low-hung electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were no TVs nor any background music.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Choc O Pain French Bakery & Cafe's Jersey City Heights' Palisade Ave. location was a charm to shop in, their homemade pastries were divine to devour, and the Aura Bora brand of sparkling water that was new to me made me want to seek them out back in L.A.. Everything smelled and eventually tasted amazing, the portions were good, the prices a bit elevated as expected, and the service was friendly and straightforward. And, I always loved supporting small businesses whenever possible. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $36.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS