OC Restaurant Quest: White Wolf Japanese Patisserie in Clawson

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 13, 2023)

Clawson, MI – For elegant pastries with an Asian aesthetic, check out White Wolf Japanese Patisserie in Downtown Clawson. For my inaugural visit to this popular shop, I enjoyed something savory and something sweet. The ham and cheese croissant had flaky buttery layers that were soft in the middle and crispy on the outside, filled with thick-cut ham and just the right amount of soft cheesy goodness.

And while the croissant was great, what White Wolf is best known for is their selection of fresh-made sweets. For mine I picked the coco tart, which is a ribbon of cream sprinkled dotted with cocoa, on top of a layer of chocolate ganache, on top of a shortbread base. Unlike American versions of this treat, the cream is not overly-sweet, but rather has a subtle base to really let the natural chocolate flavor pop through.

Keeping with the coco theme, I ordered the hot chocolate. For many cafes this means mixing a power with some hot water and calling it a day, but at White Wolf there is a process involved. With this drink the Valrhona Chocolate Ganache provides the base, and guests can choose which type of milk they would like steamed with it.

Other pastries include housemade Swiss Rolls, tiramisu, black sesame shortbread, vegan ginger cookies, Mille crepe cakes and more.

Such care is put into their coffee-based drinks as well. The house coffee is “Shanty Boy” by White Pine Coffee. They also have espresso, cappuchino, cortado, nitro, lattes, and cold brew.

White Wolf has a coffee-shop feel, with cushy seating in the windows, a row of seats along a bar overlooking the open food prep area, and a couple tables at the back. For those on the run, there is easy online ordering. They also make birthday cakes.

Learn more about White Wolf Japanese Patisserie in Clawson online at https://white-wolf-japanese-patisserie-llc.square.site, and visit in person at 31 E. 14 Mile Road in Downtown Clawson (next to Noble Fish).

Oakland County Times is on a QUEST to enjoy every local restaurant in Oakland County. This long-term project is a labor of love, supported by our friends at White Castle. White Castle is a family-owned company that is proud to be one of only 20 large employers to make the Fortune Best Places to work list in 2022. With steam-grilled sliders, crispy golden french fries, fantastic slides like onion chips or fried clams, and the best chocolate shakes, White Castle is a by far our top choice for a fast food meal. Check out their website at www.WhiteCastle.com.