Local French speakers find dreams come to life in a new pastry shop

By WENDY GEIST
Gazette-Times reporter

Four hours after opening the doors for the first time, Corvallis' new cake and pastry shop, Le Patissier, already bustled with activity — almost more than the little shop could handle.

Le Patissier, meaning confectioner in French, opened downtown on Thursday at 370 S.W. Western Blvd., Suite C.

At 10:30 a.m. on the day the shop opened, Le Patissier was filled with locals who speak French.

Melinda Croft, of Corvallis, said she was so anxious for the cake and pastry shop to open that thoughts of the store had entered her dreams at night.

"It's like going to Paris," Croft said.

Croft is part of a local French conversation group that has been meeting regularly for more than 40 years.

Alex Fischler, also of Corvallis, grew up in France and taught the language most of his life.

"It is as good as you can get in France," Fischler said of the pastry he was enjoying.

Le Patissier is run by owners Didier Tholognat and his wife, Trinidad. Both were a little overwhelmed on opening day, as it is with any new business, but also excited to embark upon the new endeavor.

Didier Tholognat, who sported a French hat cocked to the side on top of his head, originally learned the art of being a "patissier" in his native France. He came to the U.S. about 23 years ago. Trinidad Tholognat, who was born in Peru, is an accountant by trade.

The Tholognats moved to Corvallis a year ago from Burbank, Calif., where Didier had held a number of jobs over the years as a pastry chef. He worked at the notable Crustacean restaurant in Beverly Hills, Lorraine Bakery, a wholesale foods supplier in Burbank, and Chez Nous, a restaurant near Burbank. In 1989 he supplied 500 pastries for an Oscar party.

The idea to open a small business began about four years ago, Trinidad said. She told her husband he should think about opening his own pastry shop. The Tholognats took a trip to visit Trinidad's sister in Corvallis, and Didier was hooked.

"This place reminds him of the where he grew up," Trinidad said.

The climate and landscape of the Willamette Valley is comparable to that in France.

The Tholognats began looking for a location for their business as soon as they arrived, and found one just the right size.

"This is our little bit of France," Trinidad said.

Le Patissier's authentic French pastries include everything from apple tarts and turnovers to chocolate and almond croissants, and sometimes quiche for lunch. Delicate-looking gourmet cakes made for any occasion are also available.

Croissants and cafe lattes, though, were moving fast the first morning of business.

Robert Merlet and son Yannick, owners of Le Bistro French Restaurant, which has been operating in downtown for more than six years, were one of Le Patissier's opening day customers.

Yannick said Corvallis residents have an interest in fine cuisine.

"There is not just an interest in French food but an interest in Corvallis for all good food, and it's nice to have something different, too," he said.

Le Patissier is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday. For more information call 752-1785.