Manoa ‘boulangerie’ bakes up fresh bites in a cozy setting

Vegetarian Panini ($8.99)

Fendu Boulangerie couldn’t have picked a more perfect location, as this European-style bakery sits cozily inside lush Manoa Valley.

Fendu serves up the freshest baked goods made with quality ingredients for those looking to satisfy any craving, from sweet to savory.

The interior of Manoa’s Fendu Boulangerie FILE PHOTO

The bakery’s Vegetarian Panini ($8.99), for instance, is grilled with a delightful combination of Japanese eggplant, three types of bell peppers, sweet onion, farm-fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and balsamic vinaigrette for an extra kick.

For something on the sweeter side, opt for the delectable Fuji Apple Danish ($2.40). Fendu chef and owner Niel Koep shares that sliced Fuji apples are tossed and coated in a classic mixture of sugar, cinnamon and vanilla, then folded into a Danish dough that is made in-house.

Miche bread ($5.99 per loaf)

“This Danish dough is not a soft, bready dough, it’s a flakier dough,” explains Koep. “It’s (a) true European-style Danish. Most Danish (pastries) in Hawaii are soft, but this is flakier and crispier.”

With its intricate display cases and shelves full of cookies, pastries and breads — such as the Miche sourdough loaf ($5.99), available daily — one peek from the outside looking in is enough to draw anyone into Fendu.

Fuji Apple Danish ($2.40)

“All the breads are all done fresh every single day. Whatever is left goes to Aloha Harvest (a nonprofit organization that feeds Hawaii’s hungry) the next day, so nothing is wasted,” explains Koep.

Also on the menu are hand-crafted Island Style Chicken Pot Pies available on Saturdays by phone order and also in-store until they run out. Koep warns that they go fast, so get in early to get your “slice of the pie!”

Speaking of pie, be on the lookout as Fendu prepares for “that time of the year” with Fuji Apple Crumble,

Pumpkin Custard and Maple Pecan pies, which will all be available soon for the upcoming holiday season.