New French Bakery Pandor Now Open in Newport Beach

Tiffany Sepetijan, the visionary behind the Pandor Artisan Boulangerie & Café has three loves: European travel, French cuisine, and family. As her family grew to include three young children, her ability to pick up and jet around the world had become a challenge. With an entrepreneurial mindset, Sepetijan faced her situation with determination and tenacity. If she couldn't get to France as much as she liked then she would bring the French to her.

The name Pandor was inspired by the French words for golden bread, Pain d'Or. Sepetjian and her husband Raffi have an appreciation for the art of French baking. Pandor Artisan Boulangerie & Café specializes in authentic French artisan breads, Viennoiseries, pastries, tartines, paninis and salads.

"Our goal is to create a distinct brand that revolves around – at its core – producing great bread. The artisan bread takes center stage – with traditional offerings such as French Galette Bressane, or, at Pandor, Le Saint Maxine – as a full café comes together around it," said Tiffany Sepetijan.

Pandor's wholesale counterpart, RTR Bakery has also worked with The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, Brasserie Pascal, and Andrei's Conscious, and hotels including the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Montage Laguna Beach, St. Regis Monarch Beach, and the Balboa Bay Club.

In an effort to maintain the multi-generational baking processes and recipes utilized in France, the Sepetjians tapped French Master Baker Julien Pietravalle to oversee the breads, French Pastry Chef Serge Bertrand to oversee the delicate pastries, and LA-based French Chef Eric Cuenin to complete the café menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner items.

Guests of the Café will feel like they are in France with authenticity and dedication to quality through every facet of the brand. Upon entering the 2,000 square-foot café, guests will be immersed into an environment that revolves around chic European style, reminiscent of the finest Parisian boulangeries. Pandor will strive to present the highest quality service and exhibit an attentive and educational approach to every guest. The highly trained culinary team at Pandor Artisan Boulangerie & Café will also offer special seasonal and holiday offerings, catering and requests for special events.

Michelle Mears-Gerst is a writer in Orange County. Connect with her on Twitter.