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| - Mamie wins. We've tried quite a few boulangeries in Montreal, and Mamie produces the best breads and pastries, hands down.
First, the pastries: I am a pastry addict. The croissants here were named among the best in the city, and they don't disappoint. They have the right consistency of flaky golden crunch outside and buttery soft layers inside. Their chocolatine (pain au chocolate) is outstanding as well. And others here have appropriately raved about the pistachio almond croissants. The chausson aux pommes is delicious and flaky, with just enough sweetness to offset the tart apple.
As for breads: I've tried two, the miche and fougasse aux olives. Miche, the traditional French country loaf, is a hearty round made from whole grain flour. Mamie's does it justice. The texture is chewy, the crust has just enough density and depth that helps make this the kind of bread that outlasts your standard baguette by days. The fougasse aux olives, though, is exceptional. These are the "loaves" that are cut through to make a leaf pattern and create something like a loaf of tear-apart breadsticks or an elaborate, oversized pretzel. They are traditionally covered with herbs and similar to a focaccia. This version is studded throughout with whole, pitted, juicy green and black olives. The bread has a nice, soft chew. The first time I brought one of these home, the two of us went through it in a day. We're learning to ration, but I'm not sure I'll ever be able to comment on how it keeps.
Their desserts look beautiful and I expect are as delicious. I tried their brownie (nicely dense, with nuts and good cocoa flavor, not too sweet) and 3-chocolate chip cookie (theirs are the floury kind, not as buttery, but also delicious and not too sweet, with great chocolate). they also make a sugar-free chocolate chip cookie I hope to try.
The St-Denis location is almost always busy, so grab a number - to your right, before you turn to enter the bakery - and wait for them to call on you. The staff is flawlessly pleasant and helpful.
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