Laduree
Filed under: Food in London
Two things concerned me when a friend suggested afternoon tea at the recently opened Laduree in Harrods. Firstly, my inherent scepticism of department store cafes, which usually I’ve found to have the atmosphere of an airport terminal. It’s always disconcerting observing harassed shoppers rummaging through discounted racks whilst I’m trying to eat or conduct a conversation. Secondly, I regarded Laduree as quintessentially Parisian and remained dubious that it could translate well in the confines of Harrods, a store so defined by its Britishness.
I must concede I was wrong on both counts. Laduree occupies a ground floor space in Harrods with its own street level entrance creating the impression of not being part of the store. Furthermore, once inside you enter a magical, ethereal world, so deeply alluring and distinctly Parisian it’s like being miraculously transported across the English channel. Rows of pastel coloured patisserie seductively line the counters whilst waitresses dressed in old fashioned attire glide past, with trays of delectable offerings. It’s the kind of place you fantasise about as a young girl, almost kitsch in its appeal.
There’s a contrasting, darker more formal space reserved for those eating from the lunch menu; we opted to sit here. I ordered the “The Salade Royale”, which turned out to be the most stunningly presented salad I have ever been served; an edible work of art. My friend was as equally enraptured with his omelette stuffed with mixed vegetables.
Despite this highly competent food it is the macaroons that Laduree is renowned for and it was for them themselves that I had made the trip. Brightly coloured, wispily light and utterly moreish. I could have sat there contentedly for the entire afternoon sampling the nine different flavours. I very nearly did but due to time constraints and an unhealthy obsession with my weight I stuck to the following; pistachio, rose-petal, coffee and chocolate, all equally as lovely. Four is not so bad is it?
The restaurant is distinctly feminine, the only men in the entire restaurant being a few waiters. It is a place that I can’t wait to return to. I am already dreaming about the other flavours I’ve yet to try. I’m sure I can do better than four.
56 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Hi Bea,
You should really try these macaroons, I’m not usually a fan either but these are out of this world.
Comment by GastroChick 01.21.06 @ 2:12 pmHi from Panama! I just came across your blog, …and I LOVE the banner 
Hugs,
M
You and me. Laduree for some macaroons. Let’s make a date.
Comment by Lauren McLaughlin 01.22.06 @ 7:16 pmA french associate just brought us a small box of these as a treat when invited to supper: Pistachio, Caramel, Vanilla. Harrods say they have a shelf life of 3 days. Totally redundant information in my view - they’ll never stay uneaten more than an hour or so. By the way, Toby Young reviewed the restarurant in London Evening Standard 13/4. He was more explicit about the ambience which he felt was definitively gay. Your description is not out of step with such a view. In any case if the other desserts match the macaroons a visit is due soon.
Comment by Jeremy Shotts 04.18.06 @ 10:17 amHurricane irene 2011 track….
Hurricane irene 2011 track….
Trackback by Hurricane irene 2011 track. 09.03.11 @ 7:10 amWindows movie maker free download window….
Windows movie maker free download window….
Trackback by Windows movie maker free download window. 09.04.11 @ 7:28 amPublic pissing girls….
Girls public pissing. Girls pissing in public….
Trackback by Public pissing girls. 09.04.11 @ 9:13 pm… [Trackback] …
[…] There you will find 36315 more Infos: gastrochick.com/food-in-london/laduree/ […] …
Trackback by Homepage 12.16.11 @ 1:58 am… [Trackback] …
[…] Informations on that Topic: gastrochick.com/food-in-london/laduree/ […] …
Trackback by site 01.07.12 @ 6:12 amFood Blog - GastroChick…
[…]You have ended my 4 day long hunt! […]…
Trackback by Trackback Links 01.16.12 @ 4:27 pmwartrol for genital warts…
[…]Wartrol Scam natural remedy for genital warts[…]…
Trackback by buy wartrol 02.01.12 @ 8:24 pmNice Focus….
I really like the direction you’ve decided to take this blog….
Trackback by liberty half dollar 02.01.12 @ 11:04 pmInformative and precise…
[…]Its hard to find informative and accurate information but here I noted[…]…
Trackback by Keely 02.02.12 @ 2:13 amVacations in Siesta Key …
[…]the time to check out the content or web sites we have […]…
Trackback by Siesta Key 2 Bedroom Vacation Rental 02.02.12 @ 9:13 pmiPhone 5 Release Date…
[…]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[…]…
Trackback by iPhone 5 Release Date 02.02.12 @ 10:25 pmKamasz…
[…]we like to honor other sites on the web, even if they aren’t related to us, by linking to them. Below are some sites worth checking out[…]…
Trackback by Kamasz 02.03.12 @ 5:39 amIm obliged for the blog article.Thanks Again. Great….
I appreciate you sharing this post.Thanks Again. Want more….
Trackback by buy LED Light Bulbs 02.03.12 @ 6:43 amiPhone 5…
[…]just below, are some totally unrelated sites to ours, however, they are definitely worth checking out[…]…
Trackback by iPhone 5 02.03.12 @ 10:57 amGreat Clips Coupons…
[…]right here are a few web page links to web-sites I always link to seeing as we think these are definitely worth checking out[…]…
Trackback by Great Clips Coupons Abbeville 02.03.12 @ 2:07 pmGreat Clips Coupons…
[…]here are a couple of url links to online sites we connect to seeing that we believe they will be well worth checking out[…]…
Trackback by Printable Great Clip Coupons 02.04.12 @ 12:37 amIts hard to find good help…
I am forever saying that its hard to find good help, but here is …
Trackback by Lower Back Extensions 02.04.12 @ 2:22 amSuperb website…
[…]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[…]……
Trackback by lose weight quickly 02.04.12 @ 12:35 pmGems form the internet…
[…]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[…]……
Trackback by fxo 02.04.12 @ 3:12 pmRecent Blogroll Additions……
[…]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[…]……
Trackback by SEO link monster 02.04.12 @ 11:20 pmWebsites worth visiting…
[…]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[…]……
Trackback by working in the nude 02.05.12 @ 12:41 amSites we Like……
[…] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose […]……
Trackback by lotus cat tower free shipping lowest price 02.05.12 @ 2:28 amIts hard to find good help…
I am forever proclaiming that its difficult to get quality help, but here is …
Trackback by Nutritional science degree 02.06.12 @ 12:13 amDreary Day…
It was a dreary day here yesterday, so I just took to messing around online and realized…
Trackback by Holistic nutrition degree 02.06.12 @ 12:17 amTumblr article…
I saw a writer talking about this on Tumblr and it linked to…
Trackback by very cheap web hosting 02.06.12 @ 12:26 amDigg…
While checking out DIGG today I found this…
Trackback by very cheap web hosting 02.06.12 @ 12:31 amNews info…
I was reading the news and I saw this really interesting info…
Trackback by vacuum cleaning robot 02.06.12 @ 3:41 amIts hard to find good help…
I am constantnly proclaiming that its difficult to find quality help, but here is …
Trackback by vacuum cleaning robot 02.06.12 @ 4:04 amCool sites…
[…]we came across a super site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[…]……
Trackback by work from home 02.06.12 @ 6:32 amLooking around…
I like to surf in various places on the internet, regularly I will go to Digg and follow thru…
Trackback by golf giveaways 02.06.12 @ 1:05 pmGems from the internet…
[…]very little websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of views are undoubtedly well worth checking out[…]……
Trackback by Dukan Diet Attack Phase 02.06.12 @ 4:54 pmMost affordable Kasper SuitsMedical internet site…
[…]following certainly are a handful of website back links to be able to sites on the web I hook up to even as sense they may be worthy of browsing[…]…
Trackback by insulyn syringes 02.06.12 @ 6:33 pmDigg…
While checking out DIGG yesterday I noticed this…
Trackback by firebrand training reviews 02.07.12 @ 10:05 amLakcimke…
[…]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[…]…
Trackback by Lakcimke 02.07.12 @ 11:41 amLooking around…
I like to browse around the internet, often I will just go to Digg and read and check stuff out…
Trackback by P90X Weight Loss Program 02.07.12 @ 5:32 pmYahoo results…
While browsing Yahoo I discovered this page in the results and I didn’t think it fit…
Trackback by Health and Diet 02.08.12 @ 1:12 pmYou should check this out…
[…] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well […]……
Trackback by Scott tucker 02.08.12 @ 3:05 pmResveratrol…
[…]Resveratrol supplement is actually a poly - phenolic compound found in many meals for example grapes[…]…
Trackback by Anti aging pill 02.08.12 @ 3:10 pmVisitor recommendations…
[…]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[…]……
Trackback by Scott tucker 02.08.12 @ 3:10 pmDigg…
While checking out DIGG yesterday I noticed this…
Trackback by electric cigarettes 02.08.12 @ 4:59 pmDigg…
While checking out DIGG today I noticed this…
Trackback by Weight Loss Diet 02.09.12 @ 8:40 amLooking around…
I like to surf in various places on the internet, often I will go to Digg and follow thru…
Trackback by buy phen375 02.09.12 @ 4:32 pmNews info…
I was reading the news and I saw this really interesting information…
Trackback by http://quizilla.teennick.com/stories/23184305/top-5-ways-to-make-money-on-the-internet-at-home 02.09.12 @ 5:50 pmLeave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
Interesting to remember this address. So you would say the lunch food is salads, soups, tarts, things of the kind? Interesting to see that coloured macaroons are very fashionable everywhere, and to think I have yet not have had one! I am very curious as I am not a bit macaroon fan, and could become one!
Comment by Bea at La Tartine Gourmande 01.20.06 @ 7:01 pmNever say never!