Austin’s Slice of Paris: Rocheli Patisserie
Croissants on Chicon
Words by Deven Wilson Photos by Baptiste Despois
Crossing the threshold of Rocheli, guests enter a petite patisserie that evokes the effortless glamour found around France. The owners instantly welcome patrons with warm hospitality as their eyes are transfixed on the beautiful display of artfully made pastries and desserts.
Sisters Lynda and Nelly Garcia never expected that once they opened the doors to their Eastside bakery, it would feel so at home in the neighborhood. Finding the perfect space to bring their French bakery concept to life took some time. It wasn’t until Lynda’s friend, serving with her on the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, told her there was a place on Chicon looking to host first-time business owners that they found the perfect space to bring their vision to fruition.
Lynda reflects on their first nerve-racking days, knowing their hard work and investments into their dream were about to be put to the test. After opening, they found that the community “wanted us to be here, and [now] it feels like home.” Much to their surprise, the Eastside welcomed their concept with open arms, along with a growing craving for croissants.
High tea service is a rare find in Austin, and Rocheli does it exceptionally well. They deliver an experience for those looking to slow down and savor a break in their routine. It is one of the rare times the sisters dive into the savory—outside of their excellent everything bagel croissant with finger sandwiches offering a bite of salt in a sea of sweets. While it’s a worthy experience any time of the year, it shines brightest during holidays. Each menu is tailor-made to the holiday theme. Expect to experience a novel service every time. This sensational sanctuary is in full force, sharing their love for the finer things and embracing the art of French baking.
The quick community adoption the duo received from their neighbors fuels their passion to pay attention to the details infused into each pastry. Nelly elaborates that “[Lynda’s] thing is croissants. She puts a lot of love into [them].” That love is returned by customers devoted to a daily carb fix as well as first-time tasters who rave about the perfectly flaky delicacies. This ethos and their scrupulous efforts radiate throughout. According to Lynda, Elia, their employee, “puts so much care into where each little blueberry goes.” The compounding acts of love that go into each step of the baking process result in an end product that stands out from the crowd, drawing in diverse patrons looking to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Contact:
(512) 220-4107
1212 Chicon St., Ste.102
rocheli.com
@rocheli_patisserie
