Le Meurice Afternoon Tea
Bonjour à Tous !
As a pastry/cuisine student, most of us have that one dream to work for a 3 michelin star restaurant or even get to try one, atleast. Well, as I save up my money for a 3 michelin star restaurant, meanwhile I could still treat myself to a cup of afternoon tea at 5 star hotel Le Meurice. Which is also where the 3 michelin star restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse is located.
Le Meurice is one of the oldest Hotel in Paris. It was founded since 1771. As I stepped into Le Dali (restaurant for afternoon tea) I was brought to seat under a 145 square meter canvas painting. I thought I was in a Palace for a second. :)
Anyway, I ordered a afternoon tea set that day which cost 46Euros and another à la carte pastry, noisette for 16 Euros.
Tea was being served in a silver teapot, which is what you will often see in most of the hotels or high tea places here in Paris. This is to make sure that your tea is warm throughout your high tea session. :)
This is my afternoon set, there were 4 petit pastries, 2 scones and 4 different finger sandwich. These
little desserts are so delicate and fine.
Do not ever under estimate the talent of Chef Cedric Grolet. Chef Cedric Grolet is the head Pastry chef in Le Dali and he is only 30 years old. To be able to come to this position at this age is really impressive. He has won several awards such as National Trophy for Sugar Art.
I was truly impressed when I ate this little pastry on top. You will not be able to guess if I don't tell you what it is.
This is actually a Moka and caramel tart. Moka is a classic buttercream coffee cake in France.
What Chef Cedric Grolet is presenting here is a cake in a tart with an addition flavor of caramel to complement chocolate and coffee.
The first layer is made from white chocolate with caramel mousse, chocolate mousse, and chocolate ganache. The trick is here. The middle part is freshly grind coffee beans with a pinch of sea salt that helps to enhance the full aroma of coffee.
I like how Chef Cedric Grolet is so creative with this master piece here. He is daring in flavors and in his presentation. The fresh coffee beans did not only add aroma to the tart, it also gave a crunch texture to it.
Classic Tarte au Citron .
Salted Caramel Eclair.
English Scone topped with crumbles and nuts.
Seasonal Fig Cookie.
This golden noisette is another highlight of the day. The dessert name is noisette. Which literally means hazelnut in french. Which explains why they made the dessert into a hazelnut shape.
Outer layer of this pastry is made from milk chocolate with chocolate mousse, praline, a layer of salted caramel in the middle and lastly a genoise at the bottom.
Too much goodness in one page. I hope you are having cravings now. :p
Anyway, I have been really busy recently as I started giving out baking classes here in Paris. But I will still try my best to keep up to blog about some of the nicest place to visit in Paris.
So make sure to keep yourself updated through my instagram page.
Till next time. À bientôt !
Ann L.