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Plethore by Faubourg
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Step inside Pléthore by Faubourg, Kerrisdale’s well-loved French bakery and café, and you will feel like you have been transported to la belle France. Every detail of the recently rebranded and refurbished store, which was formerly known as Faubourg, has been attentively thought out by owner Franck Point.
The French bakery and café offers a unique and authentic experience, rivalling Paris’ famous boulangeries-pâtisseries. French music is played, and the interior colour choices, flooring, large chandeliers, tables and chairs were all inspired by a famous nineteenth century pastry store in Paris.
Franck Point, owner of Faubourg
Franck says, “Back in 2010, we were one of the few displaying pastries in refrigerated glass display cases that look like jewellery cases.”
Many of our customers say Pléthore by Faubourg takes them back to places they visited in Paris. It is like their good memories return.
Born in Lyon, France, Franck was raised to honour food for its sensory pleasure and its ability to bring people together. Culinary talent runs in Franck’s family; his great grandmother was a chef. In turn, he entered a baker’s apprenticeship program.
He mentions, “For health reasons, my father could not become a chef, but he taught me all I know about food, and baking in particular. The recipes are the same as those taught in all professional pastry and bakery schools in France, since forever.”
In addition to Franck’s active involvement as the owner, he credits head pastry chef Ricardo Rosas and head bakery chef David Diagne for their instrumental involvement.
Ricardo has been with the company for almost 10 years, and he is Faubourg’s most senior employee. He assisted in opening the Kerrisdale store and developing the company into a chain of three boulangeries-pâtissieries; the other locations are in downtown Vancouver and West Vancouver.
Like Franck, David also hails from Lyon. After attending culinary school, David worked in renowned French and American bakeries before moving to Vancouver in 2014 where he met Franck and was appointed Faubourg’s head baker.
Faubourg’s team is made up of almost 50 employees who work in administration, production and serving customers. Franck appreciates cross-cultural exchange and has assembled an international team from Canada, Eastern Europe, France (all of the bakers), Japan, Korea and Taiwan. All bakers and pastry employees hold a professional diploma, from their country of origin.
Inside the display cases you will find French breads, viennoiseries, pastries and macarons.
Faubourg is the perfect spot to enjoy either a morning coffee made from a house blend of espresso beans alongside a flaky croissant, or a gourmet lunch featuring baguette sandwiches, homemade soups and a varying selection of quiches and freshly made crepes. A sampling of afternoon treats includes the extremely popular cannelés, lemon tarts and macarons. Local baked goods such as brownies, cookies and pound cakes have also been added to the menu.
Pastries are prepared each morning in front of customers. Viennoiseries are baked throughout the day to ensure optimal freshness. Franck says, “The French hold these delicate pastries close to their hearts.”
Bread is baked several times daily in an authentic five-deck oven imported from France; it is the only one of its kind in western Canada.
All of Faubourg’s artisanal baked goods are prepped, shaped, and packaged by hand. Each baguette is additive and preservativefree, resulting in a product that is crisp on the outside, aromatic on the inside and all-around irresistible.
The bakery’s delicious gourmet cakes are visual masterpieces and make show stopping centrepieces for any occasion. Fresh-baked selections are offered daily. Order your favourite gateau in advance; it’s a surefire way to impress your guests.
To make an event extra special consider Faubourg’s catering service that can accommodate from 30 to 400 people. Choose from savoury items, sandwiches, French traditional Pain surprise, verrines, mini pastries and sweets. They also deliver to offices for breakfast, coffee breaks or lunch.
The holiday season is almost upon us, and every year Faubourg offers four types of Christmas logs (Bûche de Noel). If you haven’t tasted this gastronomic delight, add it to your must try list.
Holiday suggestion: Consider treating a friend to an experiential gift where shared memories are made. Invite them to afternoon tea at Faubourg or register together in the monthly (excluding the month of December) macaron making class. Joyeux Noël!
Pléthore by Faubourg, 2156 W 41st Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6M 1Z1, Telephone 604-266-2156 www.faubourg.com
