Cocola Bakery

I always love a cozy café serving delectable pastries and desserts.
Cocola is great. I’ve tried the chocolate pound cake, plain, chocolate and almond croissants, fruit tart, brioche, and palmier and they’re all very delicious. Similar enough to authentic French pastries in America.
Lattes and hot chocolate are good pairings with the sweets. A little pricey, but worthy treats.

It’s nice to be able to stop by for a quick pick me up while shopping at the mall! A hot, classic latte and an almond croissant was enough sugar and caffeine to keep me going :) The almond croissant is crunchy on the outside, fluffy inside, filled with a bit of custard, and worth every calorie. It reminds me of the almond croissant from Coffee Bar in Potrero Hill — both equally great.
The display of all the small cakes, tarts, and baked goods is hard to resist. My only gripe is that their macarons looked a bit smaller than i’ve seen them normally. I would normally try a macaron at any bakery offering them but it seemed a bit overpriced for the petite size!

Hazelnut cake is to die for. With crunchy wafer crumbs… hmm… I’m drooling just thinking of that cake.
My second favorite cake is a 3 layer chocolate mousse, but it is too rich (or too big) to handle.
Their pineapple twist is great: a puff pastry with coconut and pineapple
I always stop there for my sugar fix when in Westfield SF. It is my refueling place, and many people do not know about this place — they all go downstairs to food court — more space for me in Cocola. :)

Ever since I had those fancy pastries at Jean Philippe Patisserie over at Las Vegas, I’ve been looking for spots around my area that make them as well. That’s when I stumbled across Cocola Bakery at the SF Westfield. I was in dessert bliss!
First time I came here, I had the «Bamboo» which is a mango and passion fruit mousse. Oh man that was good! Every bite was enjoyable and it was sweet and refreshing!
The next time I came, I had their caramel pear mousse. While it was good as well, I still liked the Bamboo better. I guess this combo of flavor wasn’t was striking.
What can I say? I’m a sucker for mousse of any kind!
Their stuff is really great here and I will most certainly come and visit again soon!

My parents & I love this place ever since they opened their first bakery on Santana Row in San Jose. This bakery shop is much bigger, nice tile tables & chairs, plenty of places for you to eat, recharge before you hit the mall again.
We love their «Chicken Sandwich, Tri-​tip Sandwich, the yummy Tuna Salad. My dad’s favorites are the Pineapple Twist, Apple Tart & delicious Tiramisu!
The food is always consistent & such a nice place to pick up some sweet for your loved one!

I was looking for somewhere cheap yet good to eat lunch at by myself. Cocola is not that place. $ 20+ lunch for one — hm. Not my plan.
Artichoke Heart Salad was OK except the artichokes were really canned tasting. They should marinate them. Was a big salad. $ 5.90 seemed reasonable for the quantity but not quality. Salad is not difficult, people.
Soup of the Day also for $ 5.90 was potato leek. Very good with a side of bread & butter. I think it should be $ 1 cheaper for the quantity.
Fancy-​schmancy, pretty dessert was definitely worth the $ 4.60 and was the best thing I had here.
Hot tea was $ 2.20. Kind of a rip off without any hot water refills available.
Service was OK. I had to ask for utensils. I think I will skip lunch here and just have dessert & coffee next time.
3.5 stars

Oh wow… what a gustatory wild ride… wonderful corner bakery on 3^rd level of the Westfield… got there bright and early at 1000 (which, incidentally is when they open on a weekend)…
Ok; so after delaying my pleasure for over a year, I’ve decided to come and splurge… two people… one panini croque monsieur… one pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant), one mango mousse, one tiramisu, and one bottomless cup of French coffee!!!
I must admit… the panini was such the let down… wrong bread, wrong type of ‘panini’… more like toasted baguette over a cut of ham that was less than quality… bit disappointed and again, wrong kind of bread for a panini!
The croissant was alright… I’m accustomed to La Boulangerie croissants that are really crispy/​flaky on the exterior, fresh, fluffy, buttery softness… but this one lacked the special taste of super fresh butter and was very slightly dry… boo.
But the coffee was wonderful… it was smooth, so smooth had multiple mugs of it… rich and fragrant. what more would one wish for when pupils dilate as fork approaches cake…
The tiramisu was STELLAR… i highly recommend this light, moist cake with the most delicate and cutesy mini ladyfinger that is perfect for dollhouse-land…and the wonderful, deceptive thin chocolate layer that had me fooled for paper really made me chuckle.
Presentation of the mango mousse was great with a spongy, mousse-​like top layer, and colorful cake bottom layer… problem was that the cake below was quite dry… Hm… not really okay for me.
Was the experience problematic? No; can’t quite say that, as it would be an untruth… did the bakery have great offerings? oh yes, sirreee, they did… did i order the wrong sandwich and cake? Perhaps… the place is so wonderful and the bistro table and chairs so colorful and delightful, it’s difficult to not rate the overall experience with accolade…
Beware: this place is a bit on the pricier side of things… not really for the desserts, but a mediocre sandwich at $ 9? Bit reaching there, Cocola…

So I can only comment on the dessert because it is all I had. The BFF and I were walking around Westfield and saw this bakery and decided to come in and check it out. We settled on the mango mousse. We had to wait around a while to order it, partly because it was busy and partly because there were no clear directions on how to order. We were just sort of standing there until we slowly gravitated towards the cashier where we were helped. A little guidance would have been nice!
The mousse was actually very delicious; very moist and tart. It balanced nicely with the cake under. The part that stuck out was the outer layer of the cake, which had a layer that had a weird paper-​like consistency. They tried to decorate that part to make the mousse like more appealing but they should have just left it out. It was hard to break with a fork and didn’t add anything to the mousse. The cake was topped with a blueberry, slice of kiwi, and a ribbon of chocolate. It was a little expensive ($ 4.60) for its size and taste, so I’m not sure I’ll return again.

Groupon made me do it, I swear!
I’d give it a 3.5 stars because the sandwiches were a tad expensive, compared to other sandwich joints around the area.
I’d have never known about this bakery had it not been for the Groupon email. Figuring it would be an easy lunch option, I bought a coupon so I could sample some of the meal offerings.
Given the mixed reviews, I expected extremely poor service and lackluster food, so I was pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, because the terms stated I couldn’t carry a balance, I had to use the certificate all at once, so I purchased two sandwiches and treated myself to a coffee macaron because I was smugly satisfied with the relatively healthy selections.
It didn’t take me long to peek into the small envelope bag to unwrap the slightly cool macaron. It was larger than other macarons I’d seen at french bakeries around the city (~2″ diameter, 2″ tall), easily making it a bargain for $ 2.50/macaron. The crusty domed exterior gave way when pressed, revealing a moist, chewy interior. It was so good that I considered going back for one more, but I exercised the tiny bit of self-​restraint I had. The coffee buttercream was delicious. I’m not a big buttercream fan, so I did end up wiping some of it off because it was a little slick for me, but I know good buttercream when I taste it and that’s what I’d characterize the coffee buttercream that was sandwiched between the two macaron cookies.
Both sandwiches were tasty, with heaping scoops of side salad. The roasted chicken sandwich was served on a generous section of crusty french baguette, with a roll of lettuce and topped with a refreshing tomato & celery salsa. The tuna nicoise was lightly dressed in a lemon vinaigrette with olives, lettuce and capers, and served with a nice shredded celery root salad. It’s a pretty generous amount of food, so I made 4 meals of the two sandwiches I purchased.
Tasty, fresh and close to work!

I can’t believe anyone thinks this place is decent! their pastries are gross, they’re made to look pretty not taste good… i didnt even finish what i had (and that says A LOT, because i have quiet a sweet tooth and will eat just about anything that has enough sugar in it)
Way too pricey on top of that!

On my last two visits to Cocola, I had the odd feeling I had become invisible when I walked through the doors. Last time, I patiently waited ’til someone graced me with an acknowledgment. When I finally got my food and drink, they were just okay.
Earlier this week, I gave them another chance. Two staffers were walking around behind the counter and no one spoke to me. A man in line in front of me was given the same crappy treatment. Should I feel happy that I was not alone? He left without ordering anything, and I decided it was high time I did the same. I went downstairs for a coffee and a delicious Beard Papa éclair instead. Now, that was a satisfying experience. In your face, Cocola!
Yes, the café is cute and the food all looks very pretty, but I will not be back.

My friend’s girlfriend bought him this cake for his birthday: Baccara (Raspberry & Dark Chocolate Mousse) — Chocolate genoise, dark chocolate & raspberry mousses, with fresh raspberry
I LOVED IT.

I love me some French people and all of their edible delicacies.
Two words: French macaroons.
Fluffy, delicious, and in all of the flavors of the rainbow. Not for those intensely affected by our economic recession, or for those who care about their wallet, as they do come in at about $ 2.50 each.
The green tea mousse is A-​OK, and the passion fruit mousse was delightful. My favorite item here has to be the mango mousse, and though it’s tiny frame cost my a little over $ 4.60, every bite was worth it.
As for more savory items… I’ve only has the artichoke heart salad, and I wasn’t a fan. I’ll pretend that there are only desserts here. Yum.

MEH indeed.
Came late here on Friday, about ten minutes before closing. Asked the gal behind the counter how much the macarons are, and she said $ 1.50. I asked her about the flavors (since I’m not a mind-​reader!) and she repeated that «they’re all $ 1.50». Uh, ok, I get it, but what flavors do you have here? Sheesh. So she tosses a chocolate and a raspberry in a box and gives them to a guy to ring up. He tells us it’s $ 5.46 (or something close to that). Wha? Turns out they’re $ 2.50, and the other gal was gone anyway. The guy was really bitchy about it, too. Whatever. Rude.
The macarons were tasty, but the service was so rude.
Products seem identical to their location at Santana Row, too. Wonder where the products are actually made.

Cocola, is probably the closest thing anyone within Downtown San Francisco can get when it comes to tasting France’s delicate Patisserie pastries. Coming here with Kim Possible made it more plausible after our dinner at Straits (right across from them). Gazing into small bakery it reminded me, why I could never be a Pastry Chef and Dancer. Those two things don’t match, considering how much carbs and extra weight I would gain in conflict of both pursuits. After some debate, I was finally convinced to try their 3 Layer Chocolate, with White Chocolate whipped to perfection on top, milk chocolate in the middle, and dark chocolate layer of sponge like texture on the bottom. At nearly $ 5.26 cents (after tax) one would entertain the thought of this being a faux Weight Watcher’s delicacy considering size and the sliver of petite French seduction. I ate the top, and went down to the bottom. If the earth were separated by crust in this manner, it would be endearing. With the core being a hidden but very subtle taste of cherry as a finisher and a core.
Other noteworthy looking pastries would be the following although I have no tried them but look just as scrumptious:
–Millefeuille
–Crème Brulee
–Strawberry Éclair
(all of these which come to no surprise since they are my subjective favorites in French pastries, given my history of reviews)
The service, was somewhat slow given the already finished product ready to serve. But one doesn’t need to practice patience to the perfection of zen like a Tibetan monk but they can be a bit faster. Overall, until I come back (or hear otherwise) I can only bare them a four because it would be unjust to give them a five loosely on one perfect dessert.

Lift up thine eyes and behold a City in the sky!
As they stepped through the door they saw a simple sister of Emporio Rulli, or rather an Italian piazza reproduced as in a Vegas gallery. The merchant’s gallery of sandwiches, salads, pastries, cakes and tarts beckoned through the glass. Counters waited, with servers and baristas, for their order.
Tile on the floor, tile on the wrought-​iron tables and chairs, tile on the columns scattered music overhead and mingled it with the buzzing scatter mingling in the square. This was a scene such as could be seen in the Eternal City when tourist busses stopped to take a break, or perhaps a reunion of Romantic literati, loving and reliving long-​gone days in London.
Seated at a table on a step above the square, a genuine Italian, perhaps a patron such as would have overseen and overheard the conversations of Da Vinci and Michaelangelo centuries before. Single students spread their schoolbooks on a counter opposite the serving area.
She chose hot green tea and a raisin roll. He chose an apple turnover and a single nonfat latte. The server, barely hearing them, picked the pastries to which they pointed through the glass. «David,» cried the barista, was it for the classic or the modern that he called? Sitting on the far side of the square they hardly heard him, but the appearance of the beverages was enough. His latte appeared to be an elegant cappuccino in a classic cup. For $ 11.80 it became a pleasant repast for both.
They enjoyed each others’ company, and enjoyed the company before them. In due time, having rested for a time in timelessness, they once again returned to their modern City, their modern streets, outside the Centre, several floors below.

This is a dessert review, not lunch…
some cakes/​tarts:
chocolate mousse — taste the same as the ones from ikea
green tea mousse — green tea flavor is weak
blackberry mousse — nice & tart
passion fruit mousse — nice & tart
tiramisu — soft & light
strawberry cake — 2.5 strawberries and marzipan
lemon tart — have yet to try
pear tart — have yet to try
strawberry éclair — looks great and have yet to try
I advise looking at the website because it has good, albeit small photos of menu items with prices. The photos look true to life. I would not recommend getting the mini cakes and tarts because it’s too pricey for just a bite. You might as well get the petite cake, which is proportionally more for the price. I love the cakes and tarts, but is only mediocre compared to other cakes I’ve had. They seem to like using chocolate transfers, ganache, & mousse a lot in their cakes. I would not get the tarts or eclairs late because they are probably hard by then. The gelato selection is small, but decent for a dessert place that specializes in other items. The drinks are alright. I’d rather buy something bottled from the Bristol Farms downstairs.
The services is nothing worth mentioning, meaning they were not helpful unless you ask them questions. I would suggest going to the one in Santa Row instead. It’s just nicer when it’s not located inside a shopping mall building. They throw out their dry pastries at the end of the day, but will not give them away. They better compost!

REVIEW FOR THEIR FRENCH MACARONS:
They were just OKAY. They’re bigger than normal which is always a plus but it definitely pales in comparsion with either Paulette or Boulangerie. I’ve tried lemon, chocolate, raspberry and hazelnut. None of them were THAT great but if I had to choose, I think lemon was the best.
Priced at $ 2.50 each, definitely save your money and go to either Paulette or Boulangerie for macarons.

Aw-ha-ha…to be like the French…
So I really think the owners of Cocola want you to think you’re in Paris… perhaps at the Galeries Lafayette in the 9^th Arrondissement… being served by a waiter named Francois with a pencil mustache and a crisp white tea towel over his left arm… as he pets your French poodle Robespierre… while you call your girlfriend Simone a tramp for sleeping with your best friend Jacques… whom you murder in a crime of passion.
But you’re in a mall… surrounded by mall rats… no waiter… no French poodle… no trampy girlfriend… no best friend with a dagger in his back… so what fun is that? Edible goodies can be found here or so I supposed. There are several flavors of gelato in one case. There are little tables and little booths built for two. There are facsimiles of Mucha-​style art nouveau paintings on the wall. All quite atmospheric, n’est pas?
The abundant pastries in the glass display case look tempting. But at a slightly steep $ 4.60, my strawberry éclair was a bit stale and with relatively few strawberries mixed in with the clotted cream (see my photo). Of course, that didn’t stop me from finishing it. I think I have to go back to my peeps at Yasukochi’s Sweet Stop if I want a satisfying sweet-​tooth fix. Quel dommage!
SWEETS — 3 stars… nice-​looking but middling in freshness and rather overpriced
AMBIANCE — 4 stars… aw-ha-ha…Bonjour Par-​ree!
SERVICE — 3 stars… kinda on the meh side… and I don’t mean that French-​style indifference
TOTAL — 3 stars… you might as well go to Café Claude if you want to feel like a true Frenchman!

I’m sitting at my desk licking off the last of my triple chocolate cake from my fork. Yeah it’s that good people! And for the bargain price of $ 4.50 (hey, don’t laugh, Café Madeline charges more and you know it) it was definitely worth it!
They have a nice selection of mini cakes all at about the same price.
Yummy!