Laduree (Covent Garden)
Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 2:15PM Mmmmmmmmmmm.
That about sums it up for Laduree. I swished on by with Mrs N after a hard days work. The place was quiet (for a change) and we had a choice of where to sit in a ladylike fashion perched on petite chairs. There are 2 'salons' a balcony and a terrace (as well as the shop) to choose from. We sat in our own salon and began to natter....I wish I could say in fluent French as befits the place, but alas my French is tres basic. I love the colours here, its like sitting in an edible room of confectionary; pistachio green, strawberry red, candyfloss pink and vanilla yellow. We didn't waste time in choosing what to eat and drink. Mrs N had the Mille-feuille citron/gingembre and a pot of blackcurrant tea. I plumbed for the St Honoree rose framboise and a pot of lapsang.
Now, when the said items arrived, the world stopped for a split second and went into kilter. The works of art on our plates deserved the respect of silence and a moments thought to the taleted pastry chefs who dedicated their time and effort into making these delights on a plate. Everything about our cakes was perfect, yes that's right - I said perfect. The mille-feuille, according to Mrs N, was flaky, zingy, and a pleasure to eat and look at. My St Honoree was a liaisons dangereuses in pastry. I would have eloped with it. But I ate it instead trying not to make my exclamations of delight a cause for concern for Mrs N. The puff pastry was firm yet melted away in my mouth. The rose petal cream seductively slipped down my throat leaving a pleasant fragrant memory. The fresh raspberries (the queen of all fruit) tingled and burst into the raspberry compote. And then finally the Chantilly cream merged into oneness with the fresh velvety rose petal. I was left breathless. All that from a pastry...blinkin'eck.
Tea was served in silver pots with little handle covers and poured into bone chine teacup and saucers. The cutlery was silver and elaborate. If you fancy a bit of decadence in the middle of tourist Covent Garden this is the place to go to (if you can get in). The service is good (as expected)
Reader Comments (1)
Excellent, been to Ladurée in Paris a few times but never knew they were in London!