A throne is only a bench, covered in velvet
Napoleon Bonaparte
———-♥———–
We just got back from a few days away in London.
I especially wanted to attend a one-day seminar being organised for ‘Women in Energy’ in London plus we had public holidays in the Netherlands so we all trooped over. The seminar was all about taking your ambitions to the next level.
So, Thursday afternoon, I left my man with his our kids and headed to Piccadilly.
I arrived at the station, destination – Burlington House, home to the Geological society of London. After a few minutes of walking in the opposite direction, I accosted a guy on the street who instructed me better: ‘Turn around and take a right turn, you won’t miss it, he said’.
What he neglected to mention, (not that he knew what my interests were) was that one building away from my destination, there was a small Ladurée shop. Are all their shops this small?
Nor that right across the road from it was Fortnum & Mason.
Did I mention that both De Beers and The Ritz are on the same street?
I was in fine company, ladies and gentlemen, and I didn’t even know it.
Before we left for London, I had promised myself that there would be no wild photography missions – I have been to London more times than I can count. I still took my camera though, for, you never know what you might come across – I was right.
Excited as I was though, I wasn’t going to forget what I came for, as in my seminar and so I went off to the afternoon sessions, learnt a bit about Negotiating skills and mentoring and when we were done, I headed out the door.
To Fortnum & Mason and then to Ladurée. Let me bore you with the details of seeing my macaron competition first, and then F&M later, ok?
Now, onto the shop and my visit. Before I went in, I slowly scanned the shop – through the windows, slowly savouring my first visit ever to a macaron house. I knew that would buy them, regardless of what they cost. See, I haven’t really tasted many macarons apart from my own and I desperately needed to calibrate, to measure, to judge mine and where better to do this?
As soon as I got into the gold-walled cave that housed the world famous macarons on the corner of Burlington Arcade, I started taking photos, startled to discover that you could buy jars of confiture and caramel, and sandwiches too!
Before I could fill my camera card with horribly coloured photos, the shop attendant alighted me to the fact that photographs were forbidden inside the shop but permissible outside.
Respecting them, I stopped and took only one more – to remind me that the yellow walls and small size of the shop reminded me of a cave.
The macarons were sold by weight and could be purchased singly. If you required them boxed up, the smallest size of box contained 8 macarons of your choice and cost about 11 British pounds. Sure they would be out of this world, I went for that box. According to the assistant, the two most popular flavours are the caramel and pistachio so I got some of those as well as rose and chocolate.
I didn’t take any of the apple or liquorice ones.
These went to the till, were weighed and I received a bill. When the lady asked if I wanted a bag for my little container, I smiled and said yes. I wanted everything that came with my purchase – the bag, the receipt, and if possible the hand that served me! She smiled.
After the experience of making macarons at home, I think they are very well priced: the effort, the technique and the quivering heart, not a matter to be scorned or treated lightly.
For a while, going back ‘home’ on the tube, I wouldn’t eat them. I wouldn’t even open the bag, flaunting my purchase for the discerning.
When finally, I opened up the box, somewhere between Aperton and Uxbridge, I was….
….slightly disappointed in them.
I began with a caramel one. While the glossy, flat-topped shell was pretty to look at, the filling of soft toffee-texture caramel was disappointing. It was sweet. Too sweet. I expected something cool and refreshing and maybe even a bit creamy and salty when I took my first bite. Alas, that was not to be. Nice but not at all exceptional. It reminded me of something, which I can’t put my finger on.
I enjoyed the rose flavour the most. The filling was everything the caramel lacked – cool and invigorating yet delicately infused and perfumed with the rose flavours – not overpowering. The aftertaste and notes remained pleasant and not at all ‘soapy’, perfect with English tea, which sadly I lacked but still, my favourite of the pack.
The pistachio was green – as pistachio typically is. I can’t say I tastes one distinctly nutty flavour but it was the chocolate which I considered a gross failure. It was cocoa-flavoured as opposed to chocolatey, and I couldn’t eat a whole one.
I thought that was fine and my kids (at least 2 of 3) would enjoy them. Daughter #1 on offer said ‘I like your macarons, I don’t really like this one with the filling’. She didn’t even try it. As for the son, whom I saved several for as he was fast asleep when I got back, he saw them, skipped excitedly and after a bite, abandoned that which he barely began.
My husband said they were just good cookies, nothing exceptional!
My verdict? My macarons are better – when they work. And I’m not being pompous.
I did enjoy the whole experience a LOT and the surprise of seeing Ladurée when I didn’t expect it.
And Fortnum & Mason too.
That was an adventure in itself – the flagship store loaded on 3 floors – a bar, restaurant and I suspect a tearoom….all in one beautiful building.
They had loads on offer – cheese and meats. From home….
And from away,
And far away!
I saw some Medlar jelly but didn’t buy any. I came home with a pack of French sorrel instead – i still have to find a recipe for that! Do you have any to share?
I was supremely fascinated not only with bags of coloured sugar,
And packs of flavoured rice pudding mix, which I will be making soon!
What had me was the section on food exotica – everything from the weird and wonderful to the bizarre – scorpion vodka, chocolate covered ants, oven-baked tarantula?
Sligro’s selection of bugs and deep-fried insects!
Altogether, we had a great time but I am glad to be back, in good time to avoid the closure of UK airspace today, as we walked in the door at midnight Saturday!
I may just have to head to Paris to try out for myself Pierré Herme’s macs, and the Parisien Ladurée ones too…..What do you think? and do you have any recipes for French Sorrel as it is called? Enjoy your week.
[wpurp-searchable-recipe]Ladurée in London- Perfect Calibration for my Macs – – – [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]
[…] else But at us Pointing fingers At her Him, they and them So it was One sunny afternoon in London Sitting in a boardroom full of women Listening to stories of progress And how to get ahead […]
I would like to mirror Sarah’s comment if I may! Why didn’t you tell us you were coming to London?! And why didn’t you stay longer to meet with us all? Having said that, I see now why you never made it to FBC10! Such a shame – you were very much missed. But can I just say, what gorgeous photos of London – very nice! Miss you x
This was wonderful. It makes me want to go to the airport.
I read an article the other day that said macaroons were the new cupcake.
Yep, macarons are supposed to be the new cupcake, nefore the Whoopie pie 🙂 , or after, forget which now!(macaroons are like coconut rock cakes)
Oh, what’s a pity we did not get in touch when you were in London…
It looks like you had wonderful time, great photos 🙂
Time Margot, time. Too short. Plus husband and kinds and friends….I’ll have to plan a travel alone trip to London soon!
lovely pictures thank u for sharing (althought hose black macarons dont look appealing to me at all!)
Sorry you were disappointed in the macarons, but nice that you liked yours better! Perhaps you can recreate the rose flavored one at home, Ozoz.
Love the details and photos of your trip! I’ve been there so was jealous I wasn’t there again!
What a great trip and you’ve hit some of my favorite spots, F&N is at the top for me when I head to London – talk about one stop shopping for gifts. I love that place and stockpile the tea when possible.
Isn’t it nice when something you make exceeds the results of anthers you’ve held on a pedestal? Look forward to hearing you tasting comparisons through Paris – Pierre Hermes move over!
I wouldn’t ask PH to skip over just yet….seeing as I may have to give up macs altogether – bulging waistlines and that kind of stuff 🙂
Nice macaron wedding cake…and I like these colourful sugar.
Great post and great pictures! Thank you so much! Really enjoyed them all 🙂
I have never tried tried a macaron. I see them on the blogs and I have watched you painstainkly make them yourself-I woud not dare make them myself. You found a place that sells only macrons. Luck you! Unfortunately, a bit disappointing but, good that yours are better.
Glad you enjoyed your trip to London. We are headed to France next via Iceland (ugh). Let’s hope the Knapp’s can get across the pond to France without volcanic ash delay 🙂
Velva….make sure you try them in France. Any chance of stopping by here?
I loved going on your jaunt with you, Ozoz. 🙂 I had macs in Paris and I confess I thought most of them were too sweet as well. I think a salty caramel would be so nice. For now, vanilla is my favorite. 🙂
Oh I didn’t know you could get macs from Ladurée in London too! Lucky you! I was in Paris last year and got to try them and they’re spectacular!!! Great pictures!
Thank you, Oz dear, we’ve just made medlar jelly, so it’s nice to have something to compare it too! (Ours looks ok!). And what on earth was with all the chocolate covered ants? Please tell me that’s not a new food trend…
Thanks for agreeing with me about my Macs :-). Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed having something to compare my macs with!
Hey! Thanks for following my travels. It’s good to be home and to be able to check in with you. Looks like you’re just back yerownself. Sorry about the macarons. They’re either good or they aren’t…
If you go to Paris, let me know. GIRL’S ROAD TRIP!
Deal Kate, deal
Sorry you were so disappointed in Laduree’s Macs. I’m not surprised one bit that yours is better! Beautiful post, again.
Disappointed that Laudree didn’t live up to expectation but they are definitely very pretty to look at.
Laduree always makes my heart beat a little faster! Thanks for sharing your pictures – even if I can’t be there – at least I can gawk at your lovely photos!
Thanks for the trip to London. I think beautiful things in pastry shops almost never taste as good as they look. It so nice to know that you own Macarons are prized by your family!
Cream of sorrel soup would be delicious.
Mimi
Thanks for the beautiful post. Your text and photos bring my memory in London back to now 🙂 The arcade where Laduree is situated looks changed.. a bit or lot. Time flies!
So many weird foods! Ants and reindeer. And the selection of macs. Great experience.
Aww that’s a shame that you didn’t get to enjoy them as much as you though you would, but hey look what came out of it, Yours outdid Laduree 🙂
I will have to check it out when I’m in London next, how long ago did they open their store?
I have no idea when the shop opened. It was a first for me so didn’t ask that many Qs
beautiful post..i love all the pics and the colored sugar…yum
sweetlife
I can share your experiences with overly sweet macaroons. I think it’s really cool that your homemade ones beat Laduree’s!
love your eye for the finer things in life!
I am SURE that your macs taste better!! It always tastes better when it is homemade! Besides my friend, a pastry chef, who trained in Paris, tells me the best ones are from Gérard Mulot. I once bought an entire box of Pierre Hermé’s petits fours, proceeded to eat them all (to test them you see) and found that they were totally forgettable; it is all good marketing! that’s all!
Love the fried insects; did you take any home?
ToB – no fried insects made their way home with me :-). I’ll have to go see Gerard
Whaaaaaat!? Noooooo!!! You came to London and didn’t tell me?! Shame on you!!
I had similar experience with my macs from Pierre Herme in Selfridges. I was disappointed with how they got so smashed up easily and some of the flavours were very wishy washy. I certainly wouldn’t rave about them. I don’t think my own are perfect by any means but they certainly have more substance – if that’s a good thing in a mac…
Forgive me pls? On bended knee? I didn’t want to trouble you dearie!
That is too bad but nice also to know that you make good macarons. How I miss visiting Fortnum & Mason! I don’t know if French sorrel is the same as the sorrel we have but I braised it. Check my blog posting http://allourfingersinthepie.blogspot.com/2009/08/fresh-from-nunuvut.html
Great write up, I just want to head to London now and check those macarons out for myself! Were they any better the next day or so I wonder?
Nic, a good point. They didn’t taste any better after the required 24 hours in the fridge! I am glad I tried them though!