Laduree: "Ladurée - Salon de Thé" Top 5 Page for this destination La Duree Tip by BeatChick

LADUREE

Macarons are the signature confections you'll find at Ladurée which consists of a sandwich made of 2 halves of paper-thin crisp shell, chewy moist cookie part while the middle is filled with a buttercream ganache or a confiture (jam). The best thing about macarons is that as they get a little bit older (they can be held for up to a week) they just get a bit crustier & chewier. Of course, if you love they way they taste when fresh then you can freeze them.

These are not at all like macaroons - those hard, crusty, coconut-infused concoctions - I don't care for those at all. Ahh, but macarons THOSE are my favorites! I've tried different macarons at Ladurée, Pierre Hermé, The Ritz, Sadaharu Aoki, Paul, Miss' Manon, Le Valentin, and La Chocolaterie in Chartres which specializes in macarons, but my favorites so far are Ladurée's!

They also have lovely chocolates (see the 5th photo)!

You'll find this salon de thé at 4 locations in the city (see below). My favorite location is in the 6th arrondissement on the corner of rues Jacob & Bonaparte, a perfect spot for a spot o' tea.

It's the perfect little luxury - try just one small macaron (1.40€ for each tiny tasty pastry, 21.50 for a boite of 15) - FANTABULOUS! I think you will be wowed, too.

You may also be interested in Laduree's cookbook - check it out! The cost is about $30-40 and is written in French with "full page luscious pictures of all the recipes" according to Fodor's poster, slopugs.

Favorite Dish: Some of the more popular flavors (gleaned from an informal poll on www.fodors.com) are as follows:
pistachio (light green color)
chocolate
rose
almond
raspberry
coffee
Lemon (very refreshing)
violet-flavoured blackcurrant (delicious)
Lime/Basil (surprisingly good)

UPDATE:
These are the flavors I tried this trip (11/07)(gift box):
From the 1st photo - clockwise from center/top:
Rose* (still my all-time favorite; its rose butter cream is fabulous)
Pistache* - Pistachio
Gingembre - Gingerbread (holiday flavor)
Caramel au beurre salé* - Salted Butter Caramel
Fleur d'Oranger* - Orange Flower (delicate, sweet flavor)

My new flavors from previous trip (2/06)(macarons on napkin)
From the 1st photo - clockwise from top:
Pistache* - Pistachio
Poivre de Java - Black Pepper
Cassis Violette - Blackcurrant Violet (this has a confiture, or jam, filling)
Fleur d'Oranger* - Orange Flower
Rose*
Caramel au beurre salé* - Salted Butter Caramel

*my absolute favorites

See website for complete list of flavors - you will drool!!

Photos: Feb 2006

Address: 21 rue Bonaparte 75006
Comparison: less expensive than average
Directions: 16 rue Royale 75008 (near La Madeleine)
75 av Champs Elysées 75008
64 bld Haussmann 75009 (near Opera Garnier)
Phone: 01 44 07 64 87
Price: less than US$10
Rating: 5
Theme: Bakery
Website: http://www.laduree.fr

• Updated Jan 21, 2008
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