Bites Nearby: Bouchon Bakery

Sweet things come to those who wait. Happily the wait is over for those hungry for the new Bouchon Bakery, which officially opened its doors Wednesday morning.

Mayor Barry Brucker cut the ceremonial ribbon to welcome customers to the North Canon Drive establishment. “We knew right from the start we wanted a Bouchon Bakery," Brucker said about negotiations to bring the eatery to Beverly Hills. Brucker was joined Wednesday by Vice Mayor William Brien, Councilmen John Mirisch and Julian Gold and Councilwoman Lili Bosse.

Brucker said the “truly iconic” bakery would bring energy to the city.

“There’s already a buzz,” he said.

Acclaimed chef Thomas Keller's petite patisserie is located in an elegant alcove under the staircase leading to and down the walkway from Bar Bouchon. The bakery looks out to the scenery of .

Want to catch a whiff of pastries-in-progress? Virtually an army of bakers begin at 3 a.m. and hustle their buns throughout the day. Pastry chef Roy Shvartzapel manages sweets and chef de cuisine Rory Herrmann handles the savory production.

Bouchon general manager Stephen Cook said he hopes to start up delivery to the surrounding ZIP codes on an electric motor scooter this fall. Catering is currently available.

Created for cravings and convenience, Bouchon Bakery's menu offers a selection based on the most popular items from Keller's other bakeries in Yountville, CA; Las Vegas; and New York City. Along with daily baguettes and other breads, there is a selection of pastries and viennoiserie, specialty packaged goods including homemade granola and chocolate bouchons, cookies such as the TKO (Thomas Keller Oreo), perfectly sized sandwiches and salads, and coffees and teas—all at reasonable prices.

Bouchon Bakery's croissant ($3.75) is plumped up with seasonal fruit and generously dense, yet flaky. It pairs perfectly with a café au lait ($3.05/large).

Ready for lunch, Parisian style? The Tuna Nicoise on Ciabatta is a salad in a sandwich for $8.50. The Ham & Cheese Baguette boasts Parisian ham, Emmental cheese, sweet butter and Dijon mustard for $7.50.

Bring lunch back to the office in a Bouchon-branded Enviro-Tote bag ($15/small, $22/large.) Pick up the Bouchon ceramic mug ($18.50) for your latte to go.

Each of Keller's bakeries has its own signature delectable and the “kouigan-amann” is Beverly Hills’ specialty. From the region of Brittany, France, the name is pronounced "queen–ah-man" and is Breton for cake ("kouign") and butter ("amann").

Very, very buttery indeed, it's a cross between a croissant and an elephant ear pastry with a caramel-like, high-gloss glaze.

Bouchon Bakery is located at 235 N. Canon Drive. Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Telephone: 310-271-9910. Fax: 310-281-5699. Free parking is available at the city lot at 241 N. Canon Drive. Valet and metered street parking is also available.

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