Popular Coast bakery has new location with French pastries, healthy lunches, retro vibe

French Kiss has been a well-known and much-loved Ocean Springs pastry shop for nine years, but now they have a different location, expanded menu and a very cool vibe.

Pastry chef and owner Jacqueline Ladnier describes it as a “midcentury modern bohemian feel,” and I’d have to agree.

You will love the mattress-spring chandelier and vinyl-covered couch and chair in the main room. Very retro. The building used to be a bank, and has a vault door that leads to another dining area, although smaller, with an intimate feel.

There is also outside seating, with front-row seats to Washington Avenue traffic and shoppers.

French Kiss may have a very cool vibe, and what it is all about is pastries — but also with a healthy option. Their motto is “At French Kiss pastries, baking is our passion,” and they go on to say “We use only the finest and freshest ingredients to create pastries and desserts to delight even the most sophisticated palate.”

Jacqueline and her staff of bakers are famous for amazing pastries, like strawberry cream Bavarians, chocolate mousse and blueberry scones.

They are also well known for incredible creative special-order cakes. I once saw a cake designed like a Yeti cooler and a can of beer. Simply amazing!

The menu is divided into two simple sections: sweet treats and lunches. The sweets include eclairs, cannoli, fruit tarts, a small handful of gelatos, including dairy and nondairy, and a nice selection of coffees.

If you are in for lunch, your choices are chicken salad, ham or turkey and egg and cheese, on a housemade croissant.

If you are into a healthy diet, and crave something gluten free and veggie, there is a changing selection of grab-and-go meals. While I was there, the selection was a three-bean chili, a veggie wrap (Chef Jacqueline calls them “power by plants”), and an interesting salad they call “The super woman bowl,” made with kale, quinoa, lentils, corn, caramelized onions and butternut squash.

French Kiss does have a bohemian feel to it, like something you might find on a side street is Paris, and the vibe is a good fit.

The Coast does have a few good pastry chefs, but Jacqueline Ladnier is in the top few.

If you are lusting for a decadent dessert, a good croissant filled with something delicious, a healthy take-home meal, or you just want to hang out with a coffee, give this place a try.

French Kiss Pastries

Location: 210 A Washington Ave, Ocean Springs

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Phone: 228-215-1160