My initial intent was to show my niece, Aubrey, the magic of  dessert in all it’s tempting forms at  Laduree on the Champs Elysses in Paris.  My timing wasn’t quite so good as she hit “famished” on her internal food feeding barometer (she was eating 5xs a day!) right in front of Laduree.  I decided to ignore the exchange rate and just go with it – enjoy the whole experience of Laduree in Paris, something I’ve never done before.  For me, this was an equivalent of a Disney Princess experience, meaning that I was actually a bit excited I had an excuse to dine here.  Dessert, wine and a backdrop that seemed right out of a movie (or a wing of Versailles), doesn’t get better than that.

It was too early for dinner and too late for lunch and while I can happily eat a dessert (or two) as a meal, Aubrey needed food.  Luckily, during the lull, they do have two options available – a club sandwich or salad.  Aubrey would opt for the club sandwich and dessert.  I would need a glass of wine to accompany my dessert as I would eat later at dinner time (as would she again!)

Feeling special from the time we entered, we were shown a table upstairs in the small dining room.  Upstairs there are many small dining room areas, each highly decorated, intimate and giving an aura of exclusivity in my opinion (nevermind that it’s all tourists and tour groups). The place is just pretty just like the desserts (ok, men, I’m sure I’ve lost you in the princess pretty factor but think of all the bonus points you’ll get with your wives, girlfriends and daughters if you go here – just don’t think of the cost because that will be your downfall).

 

Our waiter dressed our table with the Laduree paper cover (tableclothes are reserved for dinner service), added the fancy plates for the bread and because he thought we were sharing the club sandwich (we weren’t) and silverware.

The downside to the dessert menu (yes, there is a downside) is that there are no photos so you need to read pages and pages of descriptions, each sounding more decadent and luscious than the other – this is an example of too much choice that your brain can’t compute.  Knowing that we would takeaway macarons, I tried the chocolate raspberry tart. Aubrey opted for a rosewater and raspberry macaron.

I can honestly say that I was happy to enjoy the sugar rush of the chocolate and raspberry, it was a nice change to the macarons (don’t worry we would go downstairs and get those to go).

Just in case you want Glaces instead (that’s ice cream to you and me), there is an Ice Cream Parlour in the back

Coming just for tea?  They’ve got you covered on that one too!

If you are here for dinner, then the table is set and waiting for you….

I’d like to think we were meant to take a break from our hectic day and enjoy ourselves at Laduree.  I was only going to dash in for macarons but am glad we stayed and had fun being treated like royal guests at the palace – the macaron palace that is!  If you have a chance to stay awhile, definitely do so.  There is seating outside people watching as well as inside on the ground floor but I’d recommend you ascend the stairs and get lost in the world of Laduree for a spot of time – you’ll feel royal too!

The bill for the Club Sandwich, glass of red wine and two desserts was $75.67 (ignorance is bliss, memories are priceless!).  The takeaway box of eight macarons was $20.69.  My fx rate is about 1.36.