Ladurée

Great customer service and absolutely indulgent macaroons and champagne! If I’m going to have a «bad» food day, it’s because I’m here. Delightful to say the least. I just want to buy the personal little boxes for all my friends and their friends and anyone who’d like a little treat!

It’s macaroon time! I first discovered Laduree in Paris as so many do, wandering the streets in search of sweet treats. The store is a almost an assault on the senses with brilliant colours, delectable smells, and countless combinations just hinting at the virtually unlimited pleasures to be tasted.
Over the last year, Laduree has made it’s mark on London, opening a number of stores across town. Fortunately (or perhaps not), this particular store has opened up right below my office and provided a steady, albeit expensive, supply of fine Parisian delights.
As to be expected, the displays are as pleasing to the eye as the tastes are to the palate. Pyramids of macaroons, elegantly arranged boxes of chocolates, and rows of intricately designed truffles adorn the shop. The staff are very helpful and friendly, quick to offer advice when you stare dumbfounded at the number of options presented to you.
My usual favourite is the simple box of 8 for just under 13 squids. I can never choose but if you ask them for a random selection they will pick them for you, seemingly at random but I assume based on the more popular trends. I’ve always been quite happy with the range provided which usually includes some salted caramel, chocolate, a few flower-​based flavours, and a citrus or two. Something to make everyone happy!
As a note, I’ve heard that Laduree makes all their macaroons in Paris and ships them freeze-​dried around the world. Now to London, I assume they stick them on the first Eurostar or fly them over and the taste is still fresh but this could be a problem for their further afield stores. I haven’t tried it out in person, but something to keep in mind.

ZOMG Marshmallow Macarons. If you’re into fillings that don’t consist of jam or crème, get the marshmallow macarons. Bubblegum Marshmallow macaron YES PLEASE.

I am not going to try and pretend that i come here for anything other than the macaroons. In fact, I have no idea whether anything else is sold, so transfixed am I by the brightly coloured sweet treats which lurk behind this counter of Ladurée on Cornhill and at its London’s other outlets. The flavours on offer at Ladurée are more mainstream than those served by London’s other premier macaroon retailer, Pierre Hermé, but are none the worse for it. Indeed, the classic flavours of raspberry, pistachio, chocolate, salted caramel et al which Ladurée sell are classic for a reason. Indeed, just thinking about sinking my teeth into the soft and slightly chewy meringue shell is starting to make me salivate from memories of my previous experiences of culinary heaven. Must try to resist, but maybe one more macaroon wouldn’t hurt…