As a chronic sugar lover, I’ve made it my mission to find the best sweet treats in Tallahassee. By this point, I thought I’d discovered them all. But as it turns out, Tallahassee is the gift that keeps on giving, and recently, I discovered its best-kept secret: Au Peche Mignon.
I’d heard a thing or two from Tally locals who raved about the French bakery, but I hadn’t paid much attention until my roommate and I finally decided to check it out ourselves. Let me just say, y’all, lives were changed.
Open from Tuesday to Saturday, Au Peche Mignon sits unassumingly on a one-way street on Duval. You’ve likely driven past it thousands of times, never realizing the slice of heaven that’s always been there, just within reach.
Once you walk in, you’re enveloped by the warm aroma of freshly baked pastries, chocolates, breads, and cheeses. The array of options can be overwhelming at first but fret not, there’s something for everyone within these walls. And, as a self-proclaimed Au Peche expert, I’m certified to walk you through it.
Chocolate
For chocolate lovers, I’d recommend their “trademark pastry Mice; an almond cake tart topped with chocolate buttercream and dipped in pure chocolate.” All I’ll say is it’s their trademark for a reason.
Other options are the mocha tart, chocolate mousse, the chocolate truffle log, or simply the chocolates themselves, with 28 different types and flavors to choose from that are all gluten-free.
Fruity desserts
For the fruit lovers, I recommend indulging in the Coco Passion Tango. Like a well-choreographed tango, this two-layered coconut meringue filled with passionfruit buttercream and coconut is a symphony of flavors that lives up to its name. It’s a unique creation that has quite literally lived in my head rent-free since the first bite.
As a fruity dessert stan, I also thoroughly enjoyed the Petit Gateau L’Orange, two meringues filled with orange buttercream, and the Tutti Frutti, an almond cookie dipped in dark chocolate filled with chocolate truffle cream, whipped cream, and fruit.
Classics
If simplicity is more your style, I present you with a classic vanilla éclair. This custard-filled pastry puff topped with chocolate icing may seem unassuming, but its decadence and richness elevate it to new heights. Or perhaps you’ll go for the Baton, a slab of chocolate-praline buttercream sandwiched between two hazelnut meringues. It’s simple but oh-so effective.
If pastries altogether aren’t your thing, their traditional macarons come in just about any flavor you can think of. According to their website, there is no set menu of flavors because the bakers have free reign to determine the flavors for the day. And if the ones I’ve tried so far are any indication of the rest of them, you’re in for a treat. Literally.
Beyond Treats
In addition to its sweets, Au Peche Mignon also offers an extensive menu of savory croissants, quiches, brioches, danishes, and sandwiches. They’re perfect for the post-sugar clarity where all you crave is something salty to balance it out.
They also feature a daily fresh bread menu, which frankly, the very fact that they have one at all somehow adds an air of luxury and French authenticity. Who would have thought that in the heart of Tallahassee, one could find a little taste of French charm?
Drinks
To complement your eats, Au Peche Mignon also offers a diverse selection of beverages, including the elusive sounding “Parisian mist”— a blend of lavender tea and steamed milk. They also have an array of coffee, espresso, teas, and a rich, truly French hot chocolate consisting of their house chocolate in steamed milk.
When visiting Au Peche Mignon, take your time perusing the menu, but there’s no need to overthink it too much. Every single item is crafted with care and precision, so no matter what you choose, I can assure you the experience will be memorable, mouth-watering, and if you’re like me, borderline life-altering.
What sets Au Peche apart is not just its commitment to freshness, quality, and craftsmanship, but the impeccable service that makes visiting it a joy. So, if you do happen to get stuck between all the wonderfully sounding options, don’t be afraid to ask. After all, I didn’t become an Au Peche expert all on my own.
Treat yourself to a slice of paradise and discover for yourself why Au Peche Mignon is Tallahassee’s best bakery. Au revoir!
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