Chez Arnaud French Bakery

My friend and I went in for lunch and boy was it sparse. Desserts almost gone, no sandwiches left. It was only 11:30.
«Is this a sign? are you going out of business?»
«Well, no actually, this is now Solomon’s bakery-it’s no longer Chez Arnaud.»
Ohhhh
Since there really wasn’t much to choose from for lunch we left and ate somewhere else.
What’s odd to me is that the cashier said they changed businesses about 3 months ago. Hmmm everything looks exactly the same… the food they did have was laid out just like Chez. Very confusing.

Oh but of course croissants, treats, coffee and oh those treats! This girl will travel to and fro for good treats! The breakdown:
Thumbs up:
–2 locations, one on Grand one in Maple Grove (MG)
–Good service, friendly, fast and how it’s suppose to be
–Oh so delish pain Au raisin, good portion quiche
–Decent macaroons
–In and outdoor seating, pet friendly
–Clean and clean restroom
–Reasonably $
Thumbs down:
–Traffic and parking on Grand can be a pain
Sweet, will be back this side of the river!

By far, my favorite café in all of Summit Hill. I can’t understand why the place is almost always half empty when I go. My son is 3 years old and he even loves going, and is (miraculously) well behaved and sits down nicely waiting for his standard order.
We go once a week as a treat.
I usually get a coffee (great).
I’ve also ordered their hot chocolate and latte, both I really like. The hot chocolate is not over sweet.
LOVE their pain-​chocolat and croissants, and recently tried a lemon pastry of some sort that I was pleased to find was not overly sweet… perfect amount of sugar, and not doughy or caky, but quite dense and delicious. It was big enough for a friend of mine to split it and we were both satisfied.
The best part of the place though (for my son) is what they call the Epis.
They break off parts of a larger branch of bread and serve it up with butter and jam… for 0.50 cents. Awesome for kids, not expensive and tasty dipped in your coffee or hot chocolate.
Service is also really wonderful, and music is spot on tasteful.

Great service, but terrible pastries.
Macarons (I got two of each flavor) taste like chalk.
The napoleon was nothing special.
I also tried some chocolate cake… too bitter.

I’ve got an obsession with macaroons. To be right, they just have to have the right full flavored filling and complex light flaky and chewy texture.
I’ve searched far and wide for the perfect one and I believe that Chez Arnaud makes the best in the Twin Cities. The Pistachio macaroon is to die for, light flacky outside with chewy/​thick pistachio flavor in the middle.
The staff here is really friendly and helpful.

Having been to many bakeries (boulangeries & patisseries) in France, I have to say Chez Arnaud is as authentic as it gets. Arnaud the owner and a baker himself is French. Very few of the patisserie items are «Americanized» and authenticity is what I look for in a French Bakery.
Offerings include baguettes, croissants, pain au chocolat, pain aux raisins and more. As far as patisseries go Francophiles will recognize these traditional deserts: Macarons, Operas, Mille-​feuilles, Paris-​Brests, Napoleons, Tarte aux fruits, Eclairs, and Mousse au chocolat.
The coffee is fantastic as well and very European. They also offer salads & sandwiches.
The St. Paul location is the most beautiful with very modern, clean lines and white walls with dark furniture. It is very small, elegant, brightly lit and chic.
I make a point to stop there every time I am in the Grand Avenue area.

Driving on Grand, you are surrounded by so many shops and signs, and they guy driving behind you simply won’t have you driving slow to take it all in. That being said, there are DOZENS of shops that you just miss. This little french bakery is among them.
Right on the corner of Lex & Grand lies a shop filled with sweet delights and tiny cappuccino cups. I tend to gravitate to the «cute» shops just because I enjoy the atmosphere, and this little place is so simple and chic. The pastries and tiny sweets welcome you and tempt you right as you walk in. I love the tiny seating area and the dark wood floors.
Also the macaroons are just too cute. I also tried their chocolate croissant, and it was pleasant, however I have had better in the Twin Cities. Definitely a wonderful little spot to try on a spring day. Take a box of macaroons to your best friend, she will thank you.

I had high hopes for this place, but I ended up feeling a bit disappointed with my experience. The service was friendly, and I love the design of the store.
However, the macarons could have been much better. I got the lemon lavender, raspberry, salted caramel and Bailey’s Irish cream. The raspberry had a nice flavor to it, especially the jelly filling being tart yet sweet. The salted caramel had a nice flavor. The Bailey’s had some flavor at first, but it kind of just tasted like chocolate later on. The lemon lavender did not jive well with my taste buds. Definitely an acquired taste. Yet aside from the flavor, each of the macarons lacked the proper texture and consistency. The shell was too rough and hollow, and the inside was too mushy.
But the Fall Charlotte, oh my. It was delightful. It was raspberry cream layered under pastry cream, topped with raspberries and a light dusting of powdered sugar, and then surrounded by perfect puff pastry. The top of the pastry had the perfect texture, which made my day.
I was hoping to find a crème brûlée though, but perhaps next time. I hear good things about the more savory menu items, so that’s next on the list.

I had been craving macaroons and this place absolutely had the very best I have ever tasted. They had just the right crunchy exterior and super moist inside and mouth watering filling. Their deserts looked amazing but I didn’t try any; next time! Located on Grand Ave and Lexington in St. Paul across from The Lexington restaurant and what is nice is that there is parking in back. I highly recommend this place.

I really hope this place hangs on as it provides a little more of a unique feel to the typical bakery breakfast joint.
I’ve tried the croissants and a variety of the pastries, all incredible. Most do you the disservice of tasting like they are light and near healthy. Get real, we know they aren’t. But so so good.
Service has been very friendly.
Can’t wait for a reason to get back there and try more, I could stare into that pastry case for hours.

Chez Arnaud holds its own in a city of outstanding bakeries, and that’s nothing to sneeze at. I frequent this place quite a bit because it’s convenient for a lot of my work meetings, and after being here several times I’m firmly in the A-​OK zone with Chez Arnaud.
The layout is pretty darn great. I love the gigantic front window table where you can sit in the sun and watch people go by, and they have a nice amount of seating in back for folks to hang out and socialize. The style is really pared back and elegant, which I appreciate– and after working in bakeries for over 10 years I can safely say that their staff is one of the best I’ve ever seen at managing crumbs, because their display area is always immaculate. High five on that, guys.
Their product won’t knock your socks off– the pain aux raisin is solid, and softly sweet, and one is just enough for a breakfast. Their croissants are nice, but it’s not like I want to sing songs about them or anything– a reaction I frequently have at the top tier bakeries in town. Their lattes are great, and their prices are fair.
Overall, it’s a great place to swing by for a nice, slow afternoon with friends if you happen to be in the neighborhood– but if I were going on a bakery-​specific outing, it wouldn’t be my first stop.

Located on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, Chez Arnoud adds another unique element to an excellent shopping and dining area. This French patisserie, while somewhat high priced, offers excellent baked goods, pastries, and sandwiches in a less pretentious atmosphere than one might expect.
The location is excellent… On Grand Avenue near its intersection with Lexington. It’s easy to access and easy to find (it also has entrances in the front and back). The only negative point is that, if the parking area behind the shop is full, then youll need to find street parking – something that can be an issue in this area on busy weekends and/​or evenings. Another point that Id like to make here is that they open at 7am and offer free wifi – seems like it would be a nice spot for morning tea or coffee, or perhaps even a study hangout.
The menu is small, but it doesnt need to be large. The quality of everything Ive tasted was very high, particularly the breads. I highly recommend one of their sandwiches – they are much larger than youd think and worth the $ 5 – 7. They also have quiches and soups on the menu, but I have yet to try these. The pastries are exquisite, as youd expect. However, I will say that most of the things in the pastry case are fairly expensive. My small, berry tart was $ 5.95.
The décor is very nice as well… It has a very clean/​modern European feel, and has plenty of light entering the front and back windows. They have table seating, as well as couches, and a long bar-​style table. My only complaint is that the AC was blasting when I was there. Even though it was 85 outside, I was freezing inside.
Overall, Id definitely visit Chez Arnoud again, and perhaps check out their other two locations (White Bear Lake, Maple Grove). I envision this being a great place to hang out with a cup of tea and pastry while working away on the laptop.
Pros: location, quality, the BREAD, interior design, free wifi, opens at 7am, pastries
Cons: Expensive pastries, cold inside (wear a sweater in there), limited menu, parking could be problematic during peak times

I’ve been to this place twice now and have to grudgingly give props to my gf for convincing me to go. I din’t wanna. She made me. I figured this place was just another euro wannabe poser like we have so much of here.
Not a huge pastry eater but I tried the tiramisu and was impressed. Not over sweet and a good tasting treat. Had a crème brûlée on one trip too, not bad. Not the best I ever had but definitely above average.
What really stood out for me was the sandwiches. Got a Parisian, such a simple concoction (ham, swiss, butter, bread)…who would think something so simple could be so absolutely delicious. I got it on both trips just to make sure my first delicious one wasn’t by accident. It wasn’t.
Gf got spinach quiche the frst trip. I thought it was ‘meh’ but she liked it. Second time she got a turkey version of the parisian sandwich (i forgot what they call it, turkey, provolone, butter, bread). Awesome. We traded ½ sandwiches with each other and ate in bliss.
Excellent place for lunch. I brought a baguette home too and damn if that isn’t the kick assest baguette I’ve had in MN. Good job place, I’ll be back again and again.

I once spent a week in France with my HS school French club. You know what the best part of the Louvre was? A guy who sold sandwiches. More recently, the NYT declared macarons to be the dessert trend of the moment, and who am I to question? I have now tasted macarons from all around the seven county metro area. And, well, let’s start with the sandwiches.
Yum! Buttered baguette with ham and cheese! YUM. Ok, so it was a little too much bread and not enough ham and cheese. Easy fix = I cut the bread in half, folded the fillings, and saved the rest of the bread for later. So good. I would totally go back for the sandwiches.
But the pastries. The macarons were so crunchy that I ended up with pieces all over my shirt. IMHO, part of the enjoyment of macarons is how I feel all fancy while eating them. But with every overly crunchy bite, I felt like I should move to my kitchen and eat them over the sink. Not very glamorous.
With so many other bakeries nearby (including the one on Marshall…) I’m unlikely to be back for pastries. But I would stop back for a sandwich.
After all, I was president of my HS French club. So clearly, I know my stuff.

Loved the Maple Grove location, so I had to try the St. Paul location. At first, my husband was wondering why I was dragging him ALL the way to St Paul for a bakery when we live near 10 others in Minneapolis, but once he got there he was also a fan. The hot chocolate is some of the best in the city, and I loved the madeline cakes (huge by the way).
I didn’t love the ambiance though. It wasn’t very inviting to stay and linger. It was cold with people coming in and out, and the chairs along the side of the wall just were not inviting for a long stay. I think it could be styled to be more relaxing.

Desserts were amazing! Got a pear/​almond tart type thing that was to die for. Delicious! Also got a brownie/​chocolate pudding type thing that was amazing as well.
The bread/​croissants/​sandwiches/​quiches looked good too — can’t wait to go back and try. The inside is cozy and cute too, which is always a bonus.

My experience at Chez Arnaud was kind of a miss. I think this would be a nice place to go alone or with a friend. I came with four members of my family and the worker seemed curt and overwhelmed. They were also out of most of their pastries and goodies. I was disappointed that none of their sandwiches are vegetarian. I picked the ham off of the Parisien sandwich and it was plain, but tasty. My family all enjoyed what they ordered.
It’s gotten great reviews, and my sister loves it, so I’m willing to give it another try.

Attractive, spare décor with good use of mirror. Very few tables and only a relatively few other places to sit down and eat. A bit confusing as to how they «do things» there: it’s simply a wait-​in-​line place for counter service. Their «menu» is posted up on the wall. All uncovered items under their counters looked beautiful.
Once we placed our order with one of two counter staff members on a recent Sunday morning (10 – 10:30 am), we stood at the register waiting for our coffees. My au lait was good, and my companion liked their double espresso; however, the espresso was served in a cold cup (which almost immediately sucks the heat right out of the coffee) and the cup was one of their regular coffee cups (too big to keep an espresso hot). This place would do well to invest in some decent heavy porcelain espresso cups (and then keep those cups «hot» so that the espresso arrives «hot» to the customer).
Luckily for us, a table opened up at the time we needed one; however, we ended up clearing & cleaning it ourselves. Once we did that, a staff member appeared to clean it with a few squirts of Windex and a quick wipe.
First off, we shared a chocolate croissant. And the chocolate inside was very good; however, the pastry was rather doughy, not light and flaky.
As we waited, and waited (and waited) for our warmed quiche lorraine to arrive, we enjoyed sitting at our table in the front, especially so once the sun poked through the clouds and bathed our faces in warmth. After an uncomfortably long wait, we went back to the counter to inquire about our order. What we were told did not jibe with what we witnessed going on in the place. We think they simply forgot our order. Several minutes later, our quiches arrived. Their huge pieces are big enough for two people to share (and I’d guess that waistlines would benefit from a smaller portion, too). This quiche lorraine had pieces of ham in it, no hint of nutmeg, and a bit on the salty side. It was good. It was just different from the quiche lorraine I am used to eating (pieces of cooked bacon, a nice hint of nutmeg, and a bit of Swiss or Gruyère cheese).
After we finished eating, we looked around for a place to put our dirty dishes and used napkins and found nothing. So we inquired at the counter and were told that someone would pick up the things.
If this place gets its operational kinks worked out, it might be a great place to come and enjoy a quick bite. But for an exquisite croissant, go to Trung Nam on University Ave. (closed on Sundays).

Divine! Breads are soft, flavors are beautiful! Great atmosphere, perfect for a coffee and lunch or dessert for a group of 2 – 4. I will be back, likely every week. This is my new favorite!
Potential improvements:
*A menu board so that you can decide on your choices while waiting in line.
*French wine???

Outstanding! The first croissants I’ve liked as much as Trung Nam — but this amazing French bakery is right here on Grand Avenue, plus it’s open till 7 pm, AND it’s also open on Sundays (till 4)! Yay!!!
I love, love, love French-​style butter, and Chez Arnaud use the amazing Plugra butter. Personally, I think that’s got to be one of the HUGE reasons this artisinal bakery is soooooooooo good! Croissants, baguettes, all sorts of desserts (and I guess they have sandwiches, but I haven’t even got that far yet!) I personally think the prices are just fine — everything’s made from scratch daily with amazing ingredients, it’s a great deal to be just $ 2.65 for big ol’ baguette (loaf of French bread) that’s the BEST in the state, even better than Rustica (according to the Alliance Française of Minneapolis Saint Paul!) If you wanted good meat you go to a butcher shop that dry-​ages, if you want good bread you go to a real bakery shop — and personally, I agree with the Alliance Francaise — this is the best!
Welcome to the neighborhood, Chez Arnaud — we love you!