Mocha Monday

Expresso yourself... One macaron at a time.

 

Mocha Monday

 A café crème to start the week.

PAUL

corner of rue de Seine / rue de Buci 75006 

 

Macaron Monday

  

A macaron a day keeps the doldrums at bay.

 

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 The cheerful macaron, born in Italy and, it is said, smuggled into France by Catherine de Medici for her royal wedding to Henry II in 1533, has become a symbol of Paris and French indulgence. Though seemingly in almost every Parisian pâtisserie, not all macarons - not "macaroons" please - are created equal. These two-bite wonders (the originals were larger) with their vibrant hues and crisp chewy texture are, in fact, tiny almond meringue sandwiches, each filled with a silky ganache or creamy buttercream, a delicate dance of texture and flavor. 

For my tastes Pierre Hermé still leads the pack: he goes easy on the sugar and pairs creative and at times eyebrow-raising fillings (olive oil/lime; white truffle/hazelnut) that evoke Marie-Antoinette closing her eyes to daintily savor a slow nibble rather than a quick chomp. When choosing, keep in mind that the best macarons balance depth with sophistication, and will leave you craving just one more. - BPJ

 

 

Pierre Hermé

Montmartre boutique

27 rue des Abbesses 75018 

 

 

 

 

Macaron Monday

 

 

Salted butter caramel, pistachio, rose. Still the best macarons in Paris.

 

 

Macaron Monday

 Macarons and other sweets await at a café next to the funiculaire.

Macaron Monday

Tea and (Pierre Hermé) macarons, on Mother's Day.

 

- Happy Mother's Day U.S.A. - 

 

🌹 

 

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Mother's Day 2021 in France: Sunday May 30th

Macarons montés

Pièce montée of macarons in the window of Ladurée.

Pierre Hermé: Noël en Fête

 

Readers of this blog know by now that I am a great fan of star chef pâtissier-chocolatier Pierre Hermé from Alsace, sometimes called "The Picasso of Pastry." His eye-popping pastries, cakes, chocolates, ice creams, sorbets and macarons are works of art, and this year, once again, and for the holidays, he's managed to re-invent classics and create even more extraordinary surprises.

The first time I sampled his most-buzzed-about macaron, caramel au beurre salé (caramel with salted butter a.k.a. CBS), I became an instant devotee. Despite much competition it was wickedly delicious, and I walked away with a bulging coffret. Since then I've added many more flavors from his macaron repertoire, and this season's holiday collection won't disappoint. - BPJ

Above: magical tasting reception; pink champagne and macarons (exciting new flavors - see website); rich chocolate yule logs (bûches de Noël)

Pierre Hermé Paris

(press preview)

* Upcoming Collection Noël 2020 *

 

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Merci M. Hermé

Paris pink

Large display window at Pierre Hermé's Rue Bonaparte store.

PH balance

A touch of raspberry helps to make the season bright.

Café Pierre Hermé - Beaupassage

53 rue de Grenelle 75007

Macaron cheer

Macarons in bright flavors on a gray afternoon.

Croissants, macarons, fashion

Three of my favorite things together in a window display at Galeries Lafayette.

Macaron design

Some luscious macarons at Pierre Hermé's rue Bonaparte shop.

Sweet shop

Not far from the Opéra a bakery offers freshly made sandwiches, viennoiseries, coffee to go and macarons enticingly set out in glass containers.

Chocolate ship cookies

Les Marquis de Ladurée on rue Castiglione specializes in just chocolate, and sails in with a cargo of chocolate macarons, chocolate tablets and unique chocolate gifts fit for modern day Marie Antoinettes.

Fête des Mères

Just some of the chocolate sculptures created for Mother's Day, celebrated today in France.

Above: a macaron "tree;" a red high heel shoe; a potted flower

Maison Georges Larnicol
132 Boulevard Saint-Germain 75006