No, I’m not back in Tokyo to go to my favorite Beard Papa’s in Shibuya station (I wish!), and no, I didn’t drive back to the Costa Mesa Marukai to check out the Beard Papa’s there either. When I discovered that Beard Papa’s had made its way to the US, I looked up the different locations online and lo and behold there was one right in Corona, the city we just moved to!
So of course I took it upon myself to investigate. We went as a family for dessert the other night.
The verdict? Yum, but maybe not as yummy as it is in Shibuya. I’m not sure if that’s because I’ve built it up in my memory, or if it’s because the puff pastry was usually still warm when I got them in Shibuya, or if it’s because I’m just crazy…okay, let’s not go there. The whipped cream custard was every bit as good as I remembered it, it was the puff pastry that wasn’t as good. Don’t get me wrong, it was still sinfully delicious. We tried their class Cream Puff made with the vanilla whipped cream custard and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Next we tried an Eclair Puff which is a cream puff filled with vanilla or chocolate custard (we had chocolate!) and dipped in Belgian chocolate. This was probably my favorite, but not necessarily because of the chocolate custard. The chocolate on the outside was what made this one good.
Then we tried a Mango Frozen Yogurt Puff. This one was filled with, surprise, surprise, mango frozen yogurt. I thought I would love this one because I love mango, but I wasn’t impressed with this one and wouldn’t get it again. It just wasn’t worth the calories.
Finally we tried a Fondant au Chocolat, a little chocolate lava cake. This was rich and chocolaty and pretty good, but I’ve had better.
The overall experience was very yummy. Although they are slightly more expensive than their Tokyo counterpart ( $1.75 for a regular vanilla/chocolate cream puff as opposed to 126 yen if I remember correctly in Japan), I’m sure they’ll be seeing me again.
On the Beard Papa’s website it states, “By remaining focused in our quality commitment and attention to customer service, Beard Papa’s has courted a devout following of puff lovers who will attest that once you taste our cream puffs, there is no comparison.” Hmmmm, I don’t know, that sounds like a challenge to me! I think this story is to be continued . . . .
The Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos
2795 Cabot Drive Suite #104
Corona, CA 92883
(951) 277-3393
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Those cream puffs look positively divine! Cream puffs are one of my favorite pastries and those look soooo good! I feel like going to the kitchen right now and making me some!– Although I’d rather just pick up those exact ones from Beard Papa’s!
those look so good right now that I’m craving something sweet, I guess I’ll have to settle for the tofutti in my freezer, *sigh*
BP is great. I get mine in Osaka as I don’t think they have them in Kyoto. Lucky for you that there’s a store near you in the US. I read somewhere that BP is in London too, in Oxford St. Weirdly it’s not that popular…
Based on looks, the chocolate one was my favorite too.
No way! My boyfriend’s family lives in Corona, and I had no idea there was a Beard Papa there. This is a very exciting prospect, as I love Beard Papa. I know there are some in LA, but now I can get my fix when I go visit.
We have a nearby Beard Papa and hubby is a huge fan. I, however, must live vicariously due to lactose intolerance (grrr). But they must be good because when a friend of ours was recovering from a serious physical injury, we brought him Beard Papa and it actually did cheer him up.
yum!!! I want some cream puffs! Your cooking also looks fabulous and so does your short hair cut. Of course, you have always been a little hottie and now with your cute short hair cut you look like a hot mama! I didn’t want to write a bunch of posts to every new post that you blogged so i wrote them all here. It’s looking good and I’m glad you are all moved into your house! love and miss