Treat time at Ladurée, Covent Garden
I have never been a big fan of macarons (GASP! SHOCK! HORROR!). That’s macarons, not macaroons. Yes, there is a difference between the two which I only found out after reading this article in The Guardian. Strange that I love most desserts from cakes to cookies to tarts but for some reason, macarons have just never rocked my world. I suppose it’s mainly because not many places do them well and the most famous specialists in London – Paul’s (£8 for a box of 12), Pierre Hermé (£14 for a box of 7) and Ladurée (£1.90 each), are to be treated strictly under my ‘treat only’ category of things to eat.
Well, one sunny Sunday a couple of weeks back was time for some ‘treat only’ macarons, when I met up with one of my girlfriends for a chat at Ladurée tea salon in Covent Garden. This branch of the famous French patisserie has been opened about a year. Located in Covent Garden Market and facing King Street, this venue used to house a pub for many years. Lunch is served in a seating area just outside the shop next to the cobbled piazza and afternoon tea upstairs on the first floor, indoors and out on a balcony.
The decor is very French chic, modelled on a bijou Parisian residence and even includes seating that resembles a romantic-looking French swing. The walls were painted in pretty pastel shades. It really is a perfect place for the ladies to have their tête-à-tête. We spent about 2 hours chatting away without anyone trying to shove us down the stairs and out the front doors. Service was courteous and attentive – our wine glasses were topped up at right intervals. I was asked twice in 15 minutes if I wanted a drink whilst waiting for my friend to arrive.
When she did, we chose a bottle of rosé wine to go with my order of Les mini macarons glacés (my choice of pistachio ice-cream and chef’s choice of three macarons – I had chocolate, raspberry and coconut) and my friend’s choice of a beautiful coupe ispahan with raspberry sorbet, rose petal ice cream, fresh raspberry, lychees, raspberry coulis and Chantilly cream. Both treats were absolutely delicious, light and perfect for a hot summer’s day, together with the chilled wine of course. I won’t say I’m a macaron convert (yet!) but I’d definitely enjoy some again the next time I’m at Ladurée – they had a firm texture, yet the cold cream and meringue just melted in my mouth. Impressive.
Plates and wine as above with a bottle of water and 12.5% service charge came to £48.88
Ladurée is located at 1, The Market Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RA
Eh? You don’t like macarons? Sacré Bleu!I really enjoy Ladurée. When we were in Paris we went to the tea room on the Left Bank. The decor was delightful and I had hazelnut flavoured macarons with a caramel vanilla tea. Super yummy.
Your photographs set the scene beautifully
Well… lets just say macarons don’t make my heart skip a beat
But I can be converted! The Laduree ones are good though.. yum!
What a wonderful afternoon! I love macarons, but have yet to make them. One day I would like to at least try to make, but I do prefer like you to have them as a special treat, like when in Paris, have been wanting to go back again, and they are on my list to do again! Love this blog made me feel like I was there with you…. RaeDi
RaeDi, I do hope you will make some macarons soon and share the recipe with me
looks so good !
Thanks Martha, it was.. and I miss it so much now I’m no longer in London…