The countdown has started on one of West Berkeley's most beloved sugar fixes. La Noisette Sweets, the small bakery famous for its pistachio-strawberry croissants and custardy canelés, will close on April 1 as owner and pastry chef Alain Shocron retires to spend more time with family and focus on his health after a decade at the ovens.
Shocron announced the decision on Instagram and told the San Francisco Chronicle he plans to retire to be with his family and prioritize his health. “My problem is I love this business,” he said, summing up the tug-of-war between passion and practicality that many small food-business owners know all too well.
La Noisette operates out of the Berkeley Kitchens building at 2701 Eighth St., Suite 116, and its website lists weekly hours and a rotating menu. Shocron, who draws on a North African and European childhood for many of his recipes, fills the pastry case with items such as ham-and-cheese croissants, Thai-coconut danishes and the pistachio-strawberry croissant that helped build its reputation.
Final Weeks And Bestsellers
Shocron told the San Francisco Chronicle that La Noisette sold more than 200 canelés on a recent Saturday, a sign of surging demand heading into the final month. He described himself as a perfectionist who sources high-quality ingredients such as Farmacopia hazelnuts and Valrhona chocolate for his pastries.
A Changing Corner Of West Berkeley
The bakery's departure marks another shift inside Berkeley Kitchens, the shared commercial warehouse that now houses several small producers. As noted by East Bay Magazine, the building hosts croissant makers, jam makers and pop-ups and had been home to the recently closed Standard Fare.
Shocron said he will miss the shop and its customers, and patrons have been stopping by to offer thanks in recent days. With the last day set for April 1, the coming weeks are likely to be busy for anyone hoping to grab a favorite pastry before La Noisette disappears from the West Berkeley food map.
