Dear Ladurée
Dear Ladurée,
It hurts me to write you this letter. Things started out so well between us. It was a gorgeous morning; the sun was shining and I was walking leisurely down the Champs Elysées with you as my destination. You looked so handsome from the outside, and you teased me with those little macaron trees and those pretty boxes in the window.
Ladurée on the Champs Elysées
You wowed me even more once I stepped inside, you looked rich and elegant, but there was something so warm and cozy about you. I wanted to snuggle right up and nuzzle your neck Ladurée, you were that irresistible. Your hostess led us up the stairs to a non-smoking room and it was filled with well-dressed Frenchmen. Ladurée, I thought, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Sure, they all left shortly after we arrived, but we didn't take it personally.
Just us in the empty room, after all the men left
Your menu arrived and my eyes grew wide at the temptations you were offering. But the truth was that we were there to eat the macarons, and not one was listed on the breakfast menu.
But don't fret! Our tall and lovely server accomodated our early morning whim and gave us an assortment of 4 to share between us, just as I'm sure you would have wanted her to do. And because we knew we would love it so, we ordered an Ispahan, a decadent dessert layered with raspberries and litchees and infused with the flavour of rose petals.
My thé à la vanille arrived and it tasted so nice. Though I will admit Ladurée that I was a little hurt by your decision to charge me €6.20 for the tea. But what is a few euros between friends, right?
And then Ladurée, something went wrong and I started to feel the heartwrenching sting of betrayal.
We tried your macarons. First lemon, then violet, then chocolate, and finally pistachio. I was confused. Where were the oohs, and why was there not one single aah? Where was that desire to eat in slow motion to savour every crumb? My heart sank. Something wasn't right, and I was sure it must have been me. Because you are you, and I, well I am just me. Never mind that my breakfast companion was feeling the same heartbreak as I was.
mini macarons
Our server then brought out your lovely Ispahan and it was as pretty as pretty could be. I knew everything would be right between us again. And I'm sorry if for a brief second I thought that the shade of pink you chose reminded me of that Barbie corvette I used to have when I was young. Because truly, it did look perfect, and the real rose petal was such a lovely and delicate touch.
Ispahan
And I'm sorry that I had to take my knife and cut through it's beauty, but we were sharing, it had to be done. But I don't know if you will be proud or ashamed that your beloved Ispahan fought me with every crumb of its being. It resisted, crumbling dry and lifeless into pieces, as though it was telling us that it had reached its prime of life a day, maybe two, before.
I hate to say it Ladurée, but we left most of that Ispahan in a crumbled heap on the plate.
So Ladurée, my darling, you can see why I am confused. It was our first date and I was sure that by the end of it I would declare my undying love for you. But instead, I returned home from our rendez-vous with nothing but a broken heart and a belly full of disappointment.
But I promise you, I will give you another chance. Because you make for some great eye candy and the handsome ones always get a second chance, right?
Ladurée
75 avenue des Champs Elysées
75008, Paris
(see website for other Paris locations)
Labels: Laduree, Paris, Paris bakeries, sweet stuff
posted by Michèle at 10:23 AM
27 Comments:
That was so great! Intelligent, clever and funny.
And, I feel your pain.
One of the most fabulous posts I have ever read! And I, too, feel your pain. The handsome ones always break your heart, you know?
What a wonderful post - so witty and wistful. It's a shame about the "eating" but the "looking" is awesome.
Thanks for sharing.
What an experience. Beautiful to look at but otherwise disappointing. They're lucky there'll be a second chance. Looking forward to reading about it.
Paz
What a fickle date you are!
Serves you right for taking contraband photographs in Laduree.
The shame, the shame...
That is the cutest post I've ever seen. What a great idea! And you say everything with such grace :)
Perhaps it is worth a second chance! Let me know how it goes the second time :)
Hi Alisa, well my only consolation was that you agreed with me... I would have thought I was completely crazy if you sitting across from me loving every single bite!
Hi Tokyoastrogirl, thank you! I'm glad you liked the post. It's true, the handsome ones are the heartbreakers.. By the way, I love your screenname ;)
Hi Ruth, thank you! And yes, the lovely room did make up for it, its absolutely gorgeous in there.
Hi Paz, there will definitely be another chance given. I can't help but think perhaps it was just a bad day? Taste is so subjective so we can't all expect to like the same things.. But we'll see!
Hi David, I know you must think I'm crazy! Are you truly not allowed to take photos in Laduree? But I'm positive they saw me taking them!
Hi Mona, thank you, Im blushing ;) And the place is so lovely I will definitely give it a second chance. Plus there are so many more things on their menu to test out! I will keep you posted!
I didn't like the Laduree macaroons at ALL and was very disapointed - as i had been told they were the best of the world. But i much prefer my old Lenotre ones.
Love
Fanny
When I wrote this almost a year and a half ago I didn't know photos weren't allowed in Laduree. I was more disappointed because I wanted praline but had to have chocolat.
I have just recently gorged myself on more than a few flavours of Pierre Herme macarons (they've all gone now, sorry), and I can echo some of your sentiments. Some wowed me, others just freaked me out. I tried about 5 of their cakes too. Will I ever fit in 1 aeroplane seat? I am sure I will post about it soon in some form or another. But first I have 16 hours of trvelling to do, beginning in aboout 12 hours, after a petit dodo..zzzzzzzzzzz
-sam
PS sorry you didn't like. If you go when it is pouring with rain in the middle of summer, it doesn't seem so bad.
PPS.My French Parisian friend swears the best chocolat macarons in the city ar from Dalloyau, 101 Rue du Forbois, Honary, but I didn't have time to make it this time.
A bientot!
bises
x
Fantastic post!
And.....those photos! Wow!
I still love Le Notre!!...hmmmm...wonder if I can find parking at the mall RIGHT NOW! I 'need' a chocolate macaron.
Hmph! Michele, ma cherie, I am not at all happy to hear about your bad first date with Laduree--although you do manage to write hilariously about it! Now, when you give it a second chance (and I hope you do, you forgiving girl), you must go straight for a coffee macaron, which is (according to many, including me!) their best. I never thought much of their chocolate one, and the pistachio is just okay. "Un macaron cafe" is my mantra. And as for their other pastries and things, I think they do a killer individual-sized tarte Tatin. Also, I've never tried the location on the Champs-Elysees; the one on rue Royale always seemed a bit more intimate somehow--if, that is, one can manage to feel cozy with stern apron-clad waitresses running around. At any rate, dear Michele, better luck next time!
Hi Fanny, well it helps me to know that Im not completely crazy. I will have to give the LeNotre ones a try!
Hi Sam, well I'm positive they saw me taking pictures but perhaps because the room was empty and I wasn't disturbing any customers they didn't mind. And I'm quite impressed at how many Herme desserts you managed to eat in such a short time! You are a dedicated woman. I recently tried Herme's Plaisir Sucre and loved it, it was a work of art! And I'm adding Dalloyau to my list to try. So many macarons, so little time ;)
Hi Melissa, thanks! I'm glad you like the photos, it was such a gorgeous place inside.. I hope you managed to satisfy your macaron craving. I have to admit, I'm craving one myself!
Hi Molly, dear friend! I knew you would be disappointed because I know how you've raved about them! Which is partly why I was so confused, because I wanted to LOVE it! I will definitely give their macaron cafe a try, and I'll put their Tarte Tatin on the list too. And I did wonder if perhaps the quality varies from one location to another, so I'll make my way to rue Royale next time and give you a report ;)
Oh dear, Michele... I understand how disappointed/confused you were. I don't like macarons so I can't join this debate but maybe like you say, you should give them one more chance... but just once!
Just to let you know I love this post, enjoyed it to the last crumb! What's all this swaying over macaroons anyway? My mom used to make them, no birthday complete without mini-macaroons, we would sneak in and eat as much as we could without her noticing. Or so we thought... There were always plenty left, I am sure she had a secret stash somewhere! LOL
Hi Michele,
I never really understood what this macaroon-love was all about... Maybe I (and Keiko above) are the only ones, who don't like them ;) Sorry to hear, that Ladurée didn't fulfill your expectations! I always try to keep my food expectations (when visiting special places) as low as possible, so I'm not too disappointed or - even better - the opposite: blown away by everything...
Bonjour Michele,
I am sorry you were so disapointed, but your letter to Laduree is charming. I must say, I have been disappointed with them too, lately. I work a block from the one in rue Royale. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, except when I was pregnant - I used to stop there and buy me one of their Ispahan or lemon tart as a gift to my big belly, and they tasted so good then! Lately I got tempted by a cassis and violet religieuse, it was so pretty...and I was so disappointed by the taste. So maybe I need to get pregnant again, or they need a new pastry chef...
Hi Keiko, well with all that build up and for such a gorgeous place I completely expected to be wowed. But Molly from Orangette has recommended their cafe macaron, so next time I go back I will definitely give it a try!
Hi Baking Soda, how lucky to have grown up with an endless supply of macarons! We hardly ever got sweets from our parents--but there were lots of after school celery sticks ;)
Hi Nicky, well Im definitely going to try to find out what the macaron love is all about, Im on a mission. And good advice on keeping my expectations low--but then somehow I think I'll still be secretly expecting to be blown away and then I'll be right back to square one ;)
Hi Gracianne, your last sentence gave me a laugh! The violet macaron that I had just had a cream filling, not the cassis filling, but I still found the violet flavour was a bit soapy. I'm curious to know if the cassis filling balances that out a bit?
Hi Michele,
What a brilliant and witty post. In all my visits to Paris, I have never stopped inside this shop. In fact, I have never eaten a macaron. They look so light and delicate that I really must have some the next time I'm there. Either that, or I will have to make some myself.
Michele, my dear, others may think you fickle but I know the truth - you are simply a woman of high standards who thinks she ought to get as much as she gives! And it certainly sounds as if you were giving Laduree the benefit of the doubt. While I wholeheartedly agree that it deserves a second chance, if - heaven forbid - Laduree comes up short a second time, I would recommend terminating the relationship immediately and redirecting your attention to more deserving candidates. As we know, Paris has no shortage of them!
p.s. I love the fact that you got away with contraband photos! That'll show them!
terrific post michele...i don't think laduree ever quite recovered after pierre herme left (along with his ispahan recipe), as long ago as that may seem...
hi Reid, Im the same! and until i started food blogging I had never even heard of a macaron. It took several weeks of leaving in Paris before I even bothered to try one. But if you find your way back here, give them a try, if only just to find out what all the fuss is about!
Hi Melissa, by "others" did you mean David? ;) It seems I will have to settle this debate sooner than later just to get it off my mind. But then I might turn into that girl who just never stops talking about macarons.
And regarding the photos, I do feel a bit 007 for having gotten the pictures!
Hi J, well perhaps you have just solved the mystery! I had no idea that Herme used to work there. I'll have to get myself over to his shop and try his Ispahan!
Brilliant post Michelle.
What a great site you have. I find it hard to decide whether you're a better foodie or photographer. The pictures look like you could eat them off the screen. Good job!
Hi Barbara, thank you very much!
Hi Ray, well thank you too! Either way, its a great compliment, I'm blushing!
you should go to Pierre Herme (rue Bonaparte) for the Ispahan, since he created that dessert that sends you to heaven. i had my first one last weekend and it sounds so different from what you describe, i did retreat into silence to concentrate on the tasting emotion. Those who have tasted both claim that Laduree's is not as good since Pierre Herme left. i have yet to try the macarons from Pierre Herme but the Laduree's are the first ones i ever liked so far and i found just one flavour to be disappointing, the raspberry one. the rest, texture and taste were quite perfect. i am a little worried to see that they are opening many shops, how are they going to keep up with the quality, i just don't know...
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