French Gourmet Bakery   

12504 Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77024
713-973-6900

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When it opened in 1973, the venerable French Gourmet Bakery and Cafe did much to introduce Houston to French baguettes and pastries. It is run with French precision and passion by owner Patrice Ramain, whose family have been bakers in the Loire Valley of France for 200 years. When Ramain first came to Houston in the '60s, he baked at Jean-Pierre's, truly Houstonians' first taste of French baked goods. When Jean-Pierre's shut its doors, Ramain opened his own French bakery, first on West Gray and then in his current location adjacent to River Oaks. A Memorial Drive location was added later. Of Ramain's own design, the two-story, pink, French chateau-type building on Westheimer Road has picturesque wrought iron, rustic curtains and a sprawling mural of a wedding picnic scene on the Seine. While everything is fresh and appealingly savory, the turkey tarragon (either salad or sandwich), the quiche and the Caesar salad topped with a whole grilled chicken are standouts. In the dessert category, just prepare to indulge with offerings such as chocolate raspberry cake (brushed with raspberry liquor and topped with French buttercream icing), the six delicate layers of the strawberry daubache cake and the Ebony & Ivory: dark and white chocolate mousse sandwiched in chocolate and yellow cake and soaked in Grand Marnier.