pâtisseries here and there

Killing two birds with one stone - I've always been a fan of that saying.

In recent weeks, my quest to find a future employer has greatly influenced and dictated where to go to fulfill my other mission of exploring Paris' newest or greatest pâtisseries. Here are a few places of interest, either in terms of employment or just because...

Des Gateaux & du Pain was recently voted the best chausson aux pommes by Le Figaroscope (1-7/9/10). Wanting to see for myself what really made this pastry a classic, tripled with the fact that I'd heard of this chic pâtisserie on more than one occasion and that it's in my hood, I found myself entering the boutique one fine autumn afternoon.

THE chausson aux pommes, in all its glory. Honestly, I guess I just haven't eaten enough to really tell a mediocre one from a 1st place one... but it was still good!

and of course, while I was there, I snooped around the other counters and couldn't resist this baba imbibé de pulpe de pêche blanche. Basically a twist on the traditional baba au rhum, sans le rhum. Instead, it was soaked in white peach syrup with a vanilla cream on the bottom.

Des Gâteaux & du Pain
63 bd Pasteur, 75015 PARIS

Blé Sucré - opened by Fabrice Le Bourdat, former pâtissier at Le Bristol Hotel. I'd already been there before, but when I heard about their amazing madeleines, I, of course, had to check it out, for my sake if not for my grandpa's (they're his preferred afternoon snack).

packaged in simple plastic baggies in a group of 4, these crusty glazed little cakes were delicious. Light, not too buttery, and perfectly sweet, I somehow finished the quartet as I was walking around that afternoon... eep!

Blé Sucré
7, rue Antoine-Vollon, 75012 PARIS

One thing I'm still trying to understand is the gourmet guimauve (marshmallow). Yea I'm used to Kraft's Jet-Puffed marshmallows for s'mores and rice krispy treats, but here, cubes of flavored 'mallows are sold for as much as 2€ each! Pain de Sucre, located in the 3rd arrondissement, is one such boutique known for their variety... including a saffron one!




colorful vases of guimauves: chocolate/coconut, orange flower, pasta/olive oil (did I understand correctly?), pistachio, and saffron at the end.

never thought I'd pay 1.20€ for a 2" guimauve. In its defense, it was a little more upscale than those bleach-white puffies in their familiar bag. Light, flavorful (but not too much), dotted with pistachios, and with just the amount of air to make it a marshmallow but not overly airy, I guess I'm starting to understand a little more the fascination of guimauves in France...

Pain de Sucre

14, rue Rambuteau, 75003 PARIS

Lenôtre. Seems like everyone's heard of this famous caterer and pâtisserie. Fortunately for me, not only is there one on my street, but another boutique by a park that Rana and I visited one afternoon.

After gazing upon their rows of petits gâteaux, we decided on their vénus framboise and the classic tartelette au citron meringuée.

Vénus Framboise - a genoise with layers of raspberry coulis and vanilla mousseline cream with fresh raspberries

just the hint of tartness that I needed after the vénus.

Lenôtre

121, ave de Wagram, 75017 PARIS (one of the many boutiques in Paris)

When I read about their pain au chocolat framboise, I knew I had to go to Boulangerie Malineau and taste it for myself. Was it true - did they really add raspberries to this classic, and if so, was it better than the already perfect original?

Yes, it WAS delicious. Yes, it WAS worth going to. But was it better? I think I prefer the classic, but this was a sweet second (a little too sweet for my taste).

and of course this looked just as intriguing. A simple tart shell full of caramelized nuts, biting into this ball almost broke my teeth... however, once broken into pieces, it was quite good. Stuck to my teeth, but delicious nonetheless.

Boulangerie Malineau

18, rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 PARIS