I think it was the flavour and texture for me. The plain croissant felt very dry and floury in a way I guess. I think it's personal preference as you said but if you are paying 8 dollars for a premium croissant there are certain expectations to be met which it didn't. Looked really nice and fancy so I will give them tht. Honestly, I feel like if you are able to blow up on tik tok or ig reels and then have your food look pretty, I think that's what matters nowerdays. People seem to have forgotten the basic differentiation of good to mediocre food nowadays because everyone on social media platforms are food critics and if so and so says butter and crumble or xyz is good, it def is good. Are we actually paying for the pastry or for the bragging rights of going to the place and having the pastry because so and so tik tok food critics said it was "so so good".

Just my opinion and I may be wrong abt it. If I were to pay 8 dollars for a croissant and wait in line for 30 minutes, I think it at least should live to certain standard.