It was 8am and we were meeting my wife’s cousin Michel for breakfast. We decided to meet at Laduree, a place we’ve been meaning to try for breakfast. Finally we had the opportunity to do so. This famous French pastry shop, known for its Macarons serves breakfast and lunch at their Champs Élysées premises. I previously reviewed their lunch and loved it… Their breakfast was just as good, if not better.
Nested in the middle of the Champs Elysees in Paris, Ladurée welcomes you all day long for breakfast, lunch and dinner choosing from a large variety of items in their 25 pages menu. It starts with the story of La Duree before moving to the many possibilities: Breakfast, Eggs, Danish delights, Brunch, Les Incontournables, Omelettes, Club sandwiches, La Duree classics, Salads, La Duree Menus, Platters, Pastries, cakes, ice-cream and the La Duree special collection.
I suggest you order the breakfast formula. It is rich and generous including croissants, viennoiseries, bread, orange juice, coffee, butter, fruit salad and your choice of eggs. I went for their eggs Benedict, what else?
As we waited for the eggs, we munched on their crunchy fresh croissants as well as the soft airy sugar brioches. I love how butter is served; Laduree’s special rolled butter in fingers where every guest can have their own. We then enjoyed the fruit salad: Mango, kiwi, pineapple, grapefruit, red fruits, orange and strawberries – so fresh in the morning.
Eggs time: My wife ordered an omelet with bacon. A purée of eggs, served with soft bacon that melt under your teeth like butter. Its simplicity makes it amazing. I went for their eggs Benedict: A preparation I always order to discover its various ways of preparation. On a round plate, two boiled eggs are majestically served on an English muffin. The waitress then comes with some warm Hollandaise sauce that she pours on top. Just looking at how the sauce covers the eggs is mouthwatering. Yum! Tasty and fresh… I loved them.
Eggs Benedict is an American breakfast dish that consists of two halves of an English muffin, topped with ham or bacon, poached eggs, and Hollandaise sauce. Hollandaise sauce is an emulsion of egg yolk and liquid butter, usually seasoned with lemon juice, salt, and a little white pepper or cayenne pepper. In appearance, it is light yellow and opaque, smooth and creamy. The flavor is rich and buttery, with a mild tang added by an acidic component such as lemon juice, yet not so strong as to overpower mildly flavored foods.
Laduree’s breakfast introduces you to the French perfection and culinary finesse. This is one of the things every one should do once in a lifetime. On your way out, choose a selection of Macarons to go – this way you’ll surely skip lunch. I love Paris…
