Are you a fellow sweet treat connoisseur? Constantly scrolling through Instagram reels in search of Boston’s sugary treasures, from buttery croissants to rich, chocolate eclairs that almost look too good to eat? If so, your next pastry fix might be closer than you’d think.
Le Petit Four, meaning “The Little Oven” in French, recently opened its doors at 380 Washington St. in Wellesley, less than two miles from campus. Founded by self-taught baker Valerie Coullet, the bakery prides itself on staying true to its Parisian roots — each baked good is made with imported French flour and butter. This is apparently just what some residents of Wellesley have been waiting for. Townies flocked to the store on its opening morning in January, with the line wrapping around the plaza and down to the parking lot.
Authenticity is noticeable from the moment you step into the bakery’s chic interior. Pans of freshly-baked croissants, danishes and kouign amann greet visitors with their golden, flaky layers. A large Eiffel Tower sits atop a counter, proudly standing in front of a sign that tracks the store’s croissant sales, with an ambitious goal of 1,000,000. Familiar bakery scents of butter and sugar filled the air as I browsed through the large assortment of treats.
A kind, patient worker suggested that I try the tried-and-true pain au chocolat. Boy, am I glad that I never say no to a recomendation. What awaited me was the sweet treat of my dreams — rich, dark chocolate enveloped by flaky, airy layers of not-too-buttery dough. The chocolate-to-pastry ratio was perfectly balanced, a hard feat to achieve, with a crisp outer crust that crumbled delicately with every bite. My sole mistake was only getting one! Despite my purchase being a bit on the pricey side, it saved me a round trip ticket from BOS to CDG (girl math?) for a Parisian staple.
Safe to say, I’ll be back to this “little oven.” The stale chocolate croissants languishing on the counters of the Starbucks further down the road could never compare. If you find yourself craving a sweet treat this semester, want to support a local business, and not stray too far from campus, give Le Petit Four a try!
