Maison Iris recently opened in the former Pavel Bakery location in Pacific Grove. The owner is a trained pastry chef from Switzerland, I believe, and the ingredients used in the pastries and bread are a combination of imported products from France and locally sourced goods. As someone who has lived abroad and tasted Swiss and French pastries, I can say that this patisserie is as good as it gets!
The Pain Suisse (croissant) is the real deal. The exterior is so flaky and buttery, and the vanilla custard and chocolate filling just melt in your mouth. Eating one will satisfy your hankering for divine French pastries.
The Brownie Extra Choco is like eating a flourless cake--rich in chocolate but light on the taste buds. It has a complex combination of crunchy and soft textures, with pecan bits and cocoa crumble.
I wasn't a big fan of the tomato bun, probably because it didn't fall into the pastry category for me and didn't pair well with my morning coffee. It was just too ordinary.
I have a serious weakness for brioche, but not all brioches are created equal. Maison Iris's brioche is truly exceptional. The texture is exquisitely delicate--soft, airy, and deeply buttery, with a crumb so tender that it practically melts in your mouth. The beautifully even distribution of air pockets is a testament to the craftsmanship (see the cross-section in the photo).
And not to forget the panna cotta with orange confit--the custard has the delicate, silky texture of silken tofu. It's just the right level of sweetness to complement the bright, citrusy orange confit (essentially, a refined orange marmalade). It goes down so effortlessly... almost too quickly.
The photo of the Swiss ham and cheese sandwich does no justice to its authentic taste. Since moving back to the U.S., we have been searching for the Swiss/French-style sandwich we often ate while living abroad. The chef nailed it with this sandwich. You must ask to have it heated in the oven (or do it yourself in an air fryer). This will accentuate the crunchiness of the bread... You won't be able to stop eating it!
Most of their popular items, such as the Pain au chocolat, sell out very quickly. People do line up at opening time to have a chance at getting their preferred options. Come back often, too, because the menu may change over time--they just opened! read more