Pistachio dessert fair hits Bukit Bintang with sourdough croissant, kunafa pan suisse & cronelle — worth the queue?

When it comes to pastries and desserts in KL, picking just one spot feels like a chore (at least to me). If you’re anything like that, you’ll want to swing by Salon Du Pain, a pistachio-themed pastry fair happening now until 8 June at Lot 10’s Concourse Level.

The space may be small, but the offerings are anything but. You’ll find pop-ups from big names like Kenny Hills Bakers, Doña Bakehouse, BASK, and Universal Bakehouse, among others. 

Expect an enticing spread of baked goods, both pistachio-infused and not: from rustic sourdough loaves to delicate shortcakes, flaky croissants, pillowy bombolonis, and more.

My colleague and I couldn’t resist picking out 3 of the most eye-catching pistachio treats. First up: the Charcoal Pistachio Pomegranate Flan (RM20) from Kona Bakehouse. 

Crisp and light coal-coloured pastry that crumbled at the slightest touch, paired with a creamy custard-like pistachio centre and a jammy pomegranate layer that leaned more strawberry in taste. A lovely bite, even if the pistachio taste was subtle.

Next, we tried the Pistachio Cronelle (RM11) from Lapisan Patisserie — a croissant-canele hybrid with beautifully flaky layers and soft, custardy core. The pistachio filling, though aromatic, reminded me unexpectedly of passionfruit. Not my favourite!

Finally, the Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Pan Suisse (RM12.90) from Etre Patisserie: generous in size, masterfully crafted to form intricate flaky layers, and lightly filled with milk chocolate and pistachio. The crisp kunafa topping added just the right amount of crunch without overwhelming sweetness. 

If I were to rank them, I’d say Kona Bakehouse is a clear winner! Followed by Etre Patisserie, and lastly — Lapisan Patisserie. However, it’s worth mentioning that all of these spots were above average to me.

So, is Salon Du Pain worth a visit? Absolutely! Just go early to avoid the crowds and snag your picks before they’re sold out.

New in town: Hae! Mee — 25-year-old Bai Nian 2nd-gen sells prawn noodles with palm-sized prawns