Feeling a little spunky, I opted for four and when I got home, savored two with some nice passion fruit tea. So light and filling at the same time, making for a great afternoon treat. There are obviously other goods to get here (the pain de campagne was recently ranked 3rd in the city, I believe) and perhaps there are better places in town from which to procure the madeleines themselves. Still, it's not a bad stop on your way to/from the Aligre market. I'll definitely be going back again.

' Surely, I can get bagels at Best or City Bagels, but I like hanging out with my dear cousins a little bit more because they're very nice, and always have the time to have a pleasant chat. 6,-EUR bagel lunch specials will have me coming back for more, along with the carrot cake, the "love cake," the milkshake...I could go on. Note: it's easy to pass by the storefront, so if you can't find it the first time, try again; it's across the street from the blaring orange of Nathan Coffee. You'll be richly rewarded, though go after noon if you don't want to be suffocated by the crowd.

My spirits were nevertheless lifted just by one glance at Cosmen & Keiless' window display of succulent pastries; little did I know that this was the rebirth of the H&S firm. To tell you the truth, I have yet to try their bread, but I can definitely vouch for the cheesecake brownies--yes, that's right--a dangerously sweet concoction that took me one day to fully comprehend and savor. C&K's creations will definitely give Entremigas a run for its money.

Alas, we were a little too late, but this did not deter us from getting a treat. Everything looked utterly delectable, but we finally decided on a huge strawberry-filled macaron, which burst with even more flavor after each bite. I will be a return customer, that's for sure!

You can't walk by without buying anything, nor without salivating at their counter. The dulce de leche croissant (they offer the homemade dulce de leche in a jar, too) is really, to die for, or try one of their empanadillas or hell, if you can afford it (financially, dietetically), try a little of everything! There's also a branch in Salamanca on Principe de Vergara, but this one is homier.

Happy Day is a cute little shop, really. It's decorated in a "super feminine" style, with flowers and butterfly wallpaper; you almost expect Amélie Poulain to make you a cortado and offer you a wonderfully decorated cupcake or a filling bagel a sandwich. Unfortunately, there's only one table, so you might have to take your goods to the nearby plaza.

If your answer is "yes," DON'T come here on a weekday, as you will either be distracted and/or annoyed by the constant tap-tapping of laptops, disperse chatter, and other people pretending to work. If you do venture out here alone, make sure to bring headphones. Otherwise, the drinks aren't bad, especially the iced teas.

Additionally, the tiny pastry shop (about four tables) is only open from Thursdays to Sundays, 10am-6pm, and the goods cost slightly more than your corner store. If, however, you're feeling indulgent and don't mind hoofing it on foot or by bike, your efforts will be rewarded. The website's photographs of tantalizing éclairs and tarts don't do them justice; you'll have to taste the creations to believe them. The almond croissant (3.10) is probably the best I've had EVER, with seemingly just the right amount of almonds and perfect flakiness. Paired with a café au lait, this makes for one of my favorite breakfasts. Eric Muller's partner, Katia Barcellos, runs the adjacent salon, if you should need that, too.

There are two components to this place, which is the coffeeshop at the entrace, and then the deli, as you move further back. For me, mornings are best with a coffee or a hot chocolate, or for those sickly moments, a steaming cup of Republic of Tea honey ginseng. The baristas are friendly enough. As an undergraduate, I passed this place on the way to and from classes, but given its LoDo Larimer St. (read: SUPER. BOUGIE.) environs, it's not the kind of place I would normally frequent, even though their croissants are oh-so-scrumptious. Plus: outdoor seating, but other than that, I wouldn't go out of my way, even for the croissants.