Some pastries get cute names. One croissant in St. Louis got a name that sounds like a movie villain, and people line up before 9 AM hoping to grab one.
It is called The Darkness, and it is packed with dark chocolate from the outside layers to the soft middle.
On busy mornings, the online stock can show sold out before many people have finished their first cup of coffee.
That kind of demand says a lot about a small French bakery in a city known more for barbecue than butter layers.
The shop behind it also makes wedding cakes, macarons, quiche, and a fancy afternoon tea that people plan birthdays around.
Keep reading to learn where to find it, when to show up, how to order ahead, and what else is worth a spot in your pastry box.
Where The Darkness Lives
Every legend needs a home base. For The Darkness, that home is La Pâtisserie Chouquette at 1626 Tower Grove Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, in the United States.
The bakery sits in the Tower Grove area of St. Louis, Missouri. It is a short trip from Tower Grove Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden, which makes it an easy add-on to a day outside.
The shop is small and chic, with a French style that feels a long way from the Midwest. Many people say it feels like a bakery in Europe, even though it is right in the middle of Missouri.
Chef Simone Faure runs the show here. Her name pops up again and again when people talk about the cakes, the tea, and the pastries.
The bakery is known for French pastries, decorated cakes, and macarons. Still, one chocolate croissant has become the item people drive in for.
So plan your route, set your alarm, and get ready to meet a croissant with a seriously dramatic name.
A Croissant With A Villain Name
Names matter, and this one does a lot of work. The Darkness is a croissant made with dark chocolate, and the name tells you right away that it is not a light snack.
The outer layers are flaky, while the inside layers stay tender and soft. The chocolate is dark but not bitter, which helps it win over people who usually pick milk chocolate.
Plenty of folks who have eaten croissants in Paris say this one holds its own. That is high praise for a pastry baked in Missouri.
Part of the fun is the build-up. You hear about it, you try to order it, and sometimes you miss it.
When you finally get one, it feels like a small win for the day. Some fans even say they are glad they live far away, because living close might mean eating one several times a week.
That is quite a confession for a croissant with a name fit for a comic book bad guy.
The Race Against Sold Out
Timing is everything with this pastry. The Darkness can sell out early, sometimes within an hour or so of opening.
The bakery opens at 9 AM from Tuesday through Saturday. Online ordering lets you claim your croissants right at opening, and that is the smartest move if you have your heart set on one.
Here is a quick game plan:
Check the website at https://www.simonefaure.com/ before you leave home. Place your order as soon as it goes live in the morning.
Head to the shop and let the staff know you have an online order. They can help you find it and answer questions about other items in the case.
Walking in later without a plan is a gamble. You might still find great pastries, but the star of the show could be gone.
Treat it a bit like buying concert tickets. Early birds get the chocolate, and everyone else gets a good story about almost getting it.
Short Hours, Big Planning
Late sleepers, take note. This bakery keeps short hours, so a lazy afternoon trip will not work.
The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 2 PM. On Saturday, it stays open a little longer, until 3 PM.
Sunday and Monday are closed days. Plenty of people learn that the hard way, so mark it in your calendar.
Showing up close to closing time can also be tricky. The staff may be cleaning or moving tables near the end of the day, which leaves little room to sit and relax.
The best window is the morning. You get the widest choice of pastries, and you are more likely to grab a seat if you want to stay.
A weekday morning is often calmer than Saturday. Weekends can bring longer lines, though the crowd tends to be friendly and chatty.
Plan around these hours and your visit will go much smoother. A little planning is the price of admission for pastries this popular.
The Rest Of The Croissant Crew
Missed out on The Darkness? Do not panic, because the croissant lineup goes well beyond one famous name.
The bakery offers a classic pain au chocolat with clear, pretty layers. Fans like that the bread is not overly sweet, which lets the butter and chocolate shine.
Almond croissants show up too. They are a solid pick for anyone who likes nutty pastries.
On the savory side, you can find ham and cheese croissants. There is also a salmon and cream cheese croissant, which works well as a light lunch.
Mixing sweet and savory is a smart strategy. Grab one of each and you have breakfast and dessert covered in a single stop.
Croissants travel fairly well, so bringing a few home is easy. Just keep the box flat in the car so the layers stay in good shape.
With this many options, a sold-out sign is less of a heartbreak. It just becomes an excuse to try something new and come back for the dark one later.
Macarons Steal The Spotlight Too
The Darkness may get the headline, but macarons are the item people talk about most at this bakery. They are mentioned more than anything else on the menu.
Macarons are small French cookies made with almond flour. They come in many flavors, and this shop has gotten creative over the years.
Sweet potato macarons have appeared here, which is a fun twist on the classic. A strawberry matcha macaron with white chocolate has also shown up as part of the afternoon tea.
Flavors can change, so what you see one week may be gone the next. That makes each visit feel a bit like a treasure hunt.
Macarons are also great for sharing. A small box makes an easy gift for a friend, a teacher, or a host.
Some are on the sweet side, so pace yourself if you are pairing them with other treats. One or two is plenty after a chocolate croissant, unless your sweet tooth is in full training mode.
Quiche, Canelés, And Other Surprises
Not every star at this bakery is covered in chocolate. Quiche is one of the most talked-about savory items on the menu.
The quiche here is known for being rich and almost custard-like. Some people love it, while others find it a bit heavy, so it may depend on your taste.
Canelés are another favorite. These are small French pastries with a caramelized outside and a soft center, and they come from the Bordeaux region of France.
Fun fact: canelés are baked in special fluted molds. That is what gives them their ridged, little-tower shape.
The case also holds crème brûlée, tiramisu, and a small blackberry tart that people rave about. That tart is not always available, so grab it if you spot it.
A baklava cheesecake has earned big fans too. It blends two very different desserts into one slice.
Leave room in your order for at least one wildcard. The surprise pick often ends up being the one you remember.
Tea Time Worth A Reservation
Birthdays and anniversaries get a fancy upgrade here. The bakery hosts a weekly afternoon tea service that people book well ahead of time.
The tea is served in tiers. The first tier holds savory bites, such as a mini muffuletta, a crab quiche, a mini po-boy, and lox with cream cheese on a mini croissant.
The next tier brings sweets like a strawberry parfait, bread pudding, a chef’s choice treat, and a blackberry tart. The top tier has finished with a macaron and a pecan scone with praline butter.
Guests have paid about 60 dollars per person, and payment happens when you reserve. A tip is expected afterward, so bring cash or plan to buy an extra item to tip on.
Here is a helpful tip: you can get boxes for leftovers. No one has to power through every bite at the table.
Menus may change, so check the website for current details. Either way, it is a special outing that turns an ordinary afternoon into a celebration.
Cakes Built For Big Days
Wedding planners, this one is for you. La Pâtisserie Chouquette is well known for decorated cakes, including wedding cakes.
Chef Simone creates cakes with detailed buttercream designs. Couples praise them for looking stunning and still being tasty, which is not always a given with fancy cakes.
The bakery can also supply a dessert spread for events. Macarons and tarts have filled out wedding tables so guests have plenty of choices.
Smaller cakes are an option too. Some couples come back to order a mini version for their anniversary.
A few planning tips can help:
Reach out early, since custom work takes time. Have your date, guest count, and style ideas ready before you ask.
Visit the shop first and try a few pastries. That is the most delicious kind of homework.
Cakes like the Red Velvet Basque cake and mille crêpe slices also show up in the case. So even without a wedding, you can still score a slice of the celebration.
Themes That Change With The Calendar
Repeat trips rarely look the same here. The bakery loves to celebrate holidays and cultural events with special menus.
Around Halloween, there has been a Harry Potter theme with themed treats and potion-style drinks. Fans of the wizard books have driven a long way just for that.
Juneteenth has brought a preorder menu with items like tea cakes and sweet potato pone. During the Japanese Festival, the shop has served raindrop cake, Japanese sweet potatoes, and honey butter toast.
The winter holidays bring festive decor with a tree, garland, and pine cones. You can also order holiday items like an International Cookie Collection or savory bread pudding.
These themes change each year, so follow the bakery online to stay updated. Some menus require preorders, and they can fill up quickly.
Themed visits are a fun way to bring friends or family who are new to French pastries. A little playful theme can make the first visit feel like an event rather than an errand.
Sips Beyond Basic Coffee
A great croissant deserves a great drink. The beverage list here goes far beyond a plain cup of coffee.
The shop has offered an Asian-inspired drinks list. Options have included Vietnamese iced cold brew, dalgona coffee, and seasonal choices like a mango passion fruit tea.
Dalgona coffee is a whipped coffee drink that became popular around the world in 2020. It is a fun pairing for anyone who wants something a little different.
Iced coffee is also available for those who like it simple. Tea fans will find good choices too, especially during the afternoon tea service.
Drinks can change with the seasons and with themed menus. Ask the staff what is new, since they are often happy to explain the options.
Pairing a dark chocolate croissant with a cold coffee drink is a popular move. Pick something lighter if you plan to add macarons or cake.
Balance is the goal, and the drink menu makes that easy to find.
Smart Moves For Your Visit
A little know-how goes a long way at a busy bakery. Seating inside is limited, with only a few tables.
That makes takeout a great option. Pastries and quiche travel well, so you can enjoy them at home or in nearby Tower Grove Park.
Arrive early for the best choices. Lines can form on busy mornings, but the crowd is often cheerful and chatty.
Ask questions at the counter. Staff can describe items and point you toward something that fits your taste.
Remember that the shop closes at 2 PM on weekdays and 3 PM on Saturdays. Tables may get moved near closing time, so do not count on lingering late.
Budget ahead too, since a few pastries and drinks can add up. Pick a favorite or two and save the rest for your next trip.
When it all comes together, the payoff is simple. A dark chocolate croissant with a bold name, a box of extras, and a reason to return to this corner of St. Louis.
