Photography by Amy De La HuntPhotography by Amy De La Hunt
When La Pâtisserie STL closed in 2025 following founding owner Kitt Villasis-Corbin’s diagnosis with early-onset Alzheimer’s, another entrepreneur stepped up to help. Natacha Douglas of La Vie Vegan and French Crêperie purchased the business and vowed to continue operations in honor of Villasis-Corbin’s legacy.
La Pâtisserie Paris (524 S. Main, Suite 3, St. Charles) debuted January 31 in the same building as La Vie Vegan, which, like the tea room, has a heart-touching backstory. Here’s what to expect.
The Menu
While the concept of afternoon tea came about in England in the 1840s as a snack between meals, it makes a perfect excuse to evoke the decadence of the French royal court of the 1600s, when the pastry chef emerged as a profession.
Photography by Amy De La HuntPhotography by Amy De La Hunt
Large tea tray at La Patisserie Paris
The menu at La Pâtisserie Paris bridges both traditions. Afternoon tea seatings are scheduled for 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3 p.m., giving customers plenty of time to indulge. But before the food arrives, customers are treated to a warm towelette to set the tone and signal that we’re not in St. Charles anymore.
The mini-masterpieces from chef and general manager Charlotte Buckner are all vegan, an unexpected plot twist that makes sense after she explains that all of the food for both restaurants comes from the same kitchen.
The current roster of savory items includes open-faced cucumber bagels with everything seasoning, plant-based turkey on house-made croissants, and bruschetta tarts topped with soft cheese similar to Boursin and a briny tomato relish.
The quintessential scones during an early visit were blueberry and strawberry, ready to be slathered with clotted cream (based on vegan cream cheese) and blueberry compote.
It’s not necessary to learn the names of French delicacies, as guests don’t order individual items during the tea. You may want to tuck the word entremets into your memory, though. These cakes, with layers of different textures, come in endless varieties, often based on a sponge cake or crunchy crust topped with chocolate, fruit, or nutty mousse. They typically feature a glaze that serves as a backdrop for additional toppings and decorations.
The entremets-style desserts during the first week of business were a lemon-raspberry cake wedge topped with an edible flower and a chocolate-caramel square topped with a homemade white chocolate bow.
A heart-shaped baklava was decorated with a sprinkle of shaved almonds, and a fruit tart needed no further embellishment other than the perfect dices of fresh berries.
La Pâtisserie Paris and La Vie Vegan both serve Harney & Sons Fine Teas. For the tea service, Buckner has chosen first to serve the Paris-style black tea, one of the company’s most popular blends worldwide. It’s described as fruity with a hint of lemony bergamot plus vanilla and caramel flavors. (For non-tea drinkers, Buckner is happy to serve coffee instead.)
The second pot is the lovely lavender Butterfly Pea Flower, favored for centuries in its native Thailand but only recently becoming more popular outside Southeast Asia. The flower has a long list of Ayurvedic properties, but it may even improve your well-being before the first sip as you watch the tearoom staff pour it into their delicate pink teacups.
The Atmosphere
Those teacups are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes La Pâtisserie Paris’ pink tableware. Saucers, plates, teapots, and even the bow-shaped tray for the towelettes are all a perfect match. Gold chargers add a contrast among the pastels on the tables, walls, and furnishings.
Courtesy of La Patisserie ParisCourtesy of La Patisserie Paris
Guests who visited Villasis-Corbin’s tea room may have a favorite photo op, such as the flowery pink phone booth or the neon sign exclaiming, “That’s a terrible idea. What time?” All of those and more can be found in Douglas’ café, along with a bright neon tribute wall to Villasis-Corbin.
Photography by Amy De La HuntPhotography by Amy De La Hunt
The profusion of pastels and flowers is a welcome sight in the depths of a St. Louis winter. Its tucked-away location, on the lower floor of a business building on downtown St. Charles’ historic Main Street, adds to the sense that visitors have discovered a secret garden.
The tea room is connected to the La Vie Vegan coffeehouse through a central doorway, and customers are welcome to shop its display case after tea service.
The Team
Douglas, a native of the French overseas region of Guadeloupe, holds both an MBA and doctorate in health professions education. Her career in higher education brought her to the St. Louis region, where she channeled her passion for French culture into culinary endeavors.
Douglas’ business partners, Roger Velez and Evangeline Velez (her aunt and uncle), both have international backgrounds and are inspired by shared cultural experiences. The same goes for Lauren Treat, who is described as both the visionary force behind La Pâtisserie’s evolution (and, more mundanely in a small business, where people wear many hats, as the marketing manager).
Visitors are most likely to see Buckner, the day-to-day on-site presence, assisted during the tea service by Francophile Emily Nelson. Buckner’s two decades of fine dining experience are evident in her seemingly effortless ability to match customers’ pace. She also has the back-of-house knowledge gained through owning her own baking company, and she puts it to good use in the tearoom’s pastries, scones, and croissants.
The final beverage the staff pours at each table is a flute of sparkling wine, sealing the experience as decidedly French rather than British.
La Pâtisserie Paris
📍 524 S. Main, Suite 3, St. Charles
📞 636-410-8787
⏰ 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Fri–Sun
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