Each trip to Paris includes at least one "pâtisserie hunt" and our destination on this snowy day was Sadaharu Aoki. We wanted a single delicacy...
the tarte au caramel beurre salé. There was success in our purchase. We took it back to our apartment to devour in private, and it was out-of-this-world, melt in your mouth d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!
And because you can never leave a pâtisserie with only one item.... and who knows when you might ever get back... and we need to sample many macarons... (enough excuses?)
Two macarons, research of course... wasabi (!) and cassis
miam-miam!
Sadaharu Aoki, boutique Vaugirard
35, rue de Vaugirard
Wasabi ?? I ate that with a sushi for the first and certainly the last time, I cried and had to spit it out it was far too spicy ! My mouth burnt, yikes, never again !
ReplyDeleteI am notso for tartes and gateaux, en géneral :)
I'm pretty traditional when it comes to (French) pastries, but would have tried this. But I love choux a la creme best.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the Parisian pâtisseries! But wasabi macarons? I don´t know...
ReplyDeletej'ai une petite faim !!
ReplyDeleteles macarons ont l'air trop bons
A wasabi macaroon ... you josh, yes?
ReplyDeleteOh they look so yummy...
ReplyDeleteand I'm lovin' the colors of the macaroons too:)
Dear Genie! Ooh, thanks for your sweet comment on my photos! This cake looks delicious btw, and the macarons...can't wait until my Paris trip in March. I'll definitely go to Laduree :) :) Have a lovely day!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Kristin
Parisian preferences: blue doors and caramel beurre sale ... I think I would have devoured that tart! You would have had to send me back to kindergarten to learn to share!!! I am game to try the interesting macaron flavors (research, of course).
ReplyDeleteGattina -- I once popped an olive-sized bit of wasabi in my mouth (at a business dinner!), swallowed, and then almost died... I know the pain!
ReplyDeleteBibi -- Choux à la crême? I would definitely love one right now!
Vreni -- I make macarons as does my daughter Holly... We usually eat our favorites while in Paris, but wanted at least one that was off the charts... Wasabi was it.
Bergson -- Merci, mon ami
Julie -- I am serious... We make rosemary macarons with lemon ganache filling and they are delish. The primary flavor you get is still almond with a hint of something else. People request the rosemary ones, but I'm not so sure about wasabi.
Ann -- The tart was memorable, as in the very best I've ever had
Kristin -- You should try the same flavor of macaron (not wasabi, of course) in different pâtisseries for comparison
Marie -- Yes, in the name of research. You would have died over that tart... it was that good!
The tarte au caramel beurre salé looks divine!
ReplyDeleteThe japanese name explains the wasabi macaron.But...I think I'll stay on the caramel au beurre salé!:))
ReplyDeleteI've never had macaroons, but they look like something I'd definitely eat. Life goal: visit Paris someday!
ReplyDeleteLouis -- A good selection, mon ami.
ReplyDeleteMalyss -- I was looking for at least one macaron with an unusual flavor. The taste was so faint that it was difficult to discern. The rich swiss buttercream filling didn't hurt either - hah!
Abby -- You can find macarons in the US (not sure where you are located) and you should definitely find some. Try plain (it isn't), pistachio, caramel, coffee, lemon... Oh, I must quit talking about them as I am feeling weak!
ReplyDeleteOn my trips to Paris I loved to look for intresting and unusual patisseries. That caramel tarte looks to absolutely die for. T'is a shame I cannot replace New York with Paris. Then I would really be a happy camper. XO The Other Genie
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever had a tarte au caramel beurre salé, but now I must try one....at least.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. This is a place I haven't been to. (Yet) :)
ReplyDeleteGenie (the other one or am I the other one? I forget - hah!) -- The caramel tart is not flashy with layers and fruit and looking like a crown, but a good one is worth devouring alone slowly while making little noises of happiness... shhhhh
ReplyDeleteStarman -- Yes, you must... Aoki is known for this tart (among other things) and I was not prepared for how delish it was.
James -- There are many pâtisseries in Paris (almost as many as there are café chairs) and none of them would be bad... This Aoki was small, on a side street and not particularly impressive but very nice... I think that it would be an easy walk from Jardin du Luxembourg. We walked from Bon Marché (and two other pâtisseries)
I MUST go here in March for one (or more) of those fabulous tarts! (And maybe a wasabi macaron—pourquoi pas?) Do tell—which end of rue de Vaugirard is this place at?
ReplyDeleteThose look seriously tasty!
ReplyDeleteDo they let dogs in?
Alexa -- It is between Rue Jean Bart and Rue d'Assas, just a few blocks from the northwest corner of Jardin du Luxembourg. There are a few other pastries there worth mentioning.
ReplyDeleteMiss Sadie -- You appear a bit large to be a "pocketbook doggie" but as elegant as you are, I imagine you would be in good company here. Might I suggest for you the Cheese-cake Citron (sans chocolat), not too sweet and nothing like "regular" cheesecake -- very light indeed!
ReplyDeleteGenie, I think the choice of a wasabi macaron was a gastronomic Rorschach test. It would never, repeat never, occur to me to try a wasabi macaron. Then again, I am probably too buttoned down for my own good.
ReplyDeleteOhhh we were so close to it in June!!!!
ReplyDeleteJack -- I would not have thought to eat a rosemary one, much less spend time making them, but they are absolutely delicious. Still, I would not suggest wasabi for a friend... It was "scientific research."
ReplyDeleteMarie -- Yes, and although Holly and I arrived from the other direction, we were quite close walking from Luxembourg to Rue Jacob last summer! (Put it on your list)
Merci, Mme. Genie, pour vos bon mots, et pour une bonne idée. Cheese-cake Citron — je pense que c'est très bien.
ReplyDeleteAfter considering your kind words, I think I'm cute enough that they would let me in. Besides, I'm a Lady (Duchess, even!). How could they turn me down?
Sounds like an interesting place. Would love to try one of those macaroons!
ReplyDeleteMiss Sadie -- A Duchess? Why, certainly you would be welcome!
ReplyDeleteHalcyon -- There were, on that day, probably 10 to 15 flavors available... I would not think that wasabi is a popular selection but as you can see from the photo it was fresh and perfectly constructed!
I think I would be very crazy inside a place like this one! LOL
ReplyDeleteoh my diet! :)
Hey...the entrance is fabulous!
Léia
Léia -- The place is quite small but has plenty to tempt one from their diet!
ReplyDeleteThat tarte au caramel makes my mouth water! Mmmmmm... :-)
ReplyDeleteJM -- And it is the very best EVER! Bon weekend, mon ami!
ReplyDeleteThe caramel au beurre salé sounds incredibly delicious!
ReplyDeleteEG -- These tarts are good anywhere in Paris, but they are exceptional at Aoki.
ReplyDeleteOMG, I give up. Where was it? And my vote is cassis. wasabi (?) is way too weirdo pour moi! HA
ReplyDeleteMouth-watering!!!
ReplyDeleteVirginia -- I'll take you there (better than a map, huh?) You still need to try my rosemary macarons...
ReplyDeleteSuburban Girl -- Merci... They are delish!
Wasabi cookie... Interesting idea, but... no thanks.
ReplyDeleteLovely blog you've got here! So many places I used to haunt during my 5 years there in the 80es and 90es, Saint Eustache, pour n'en citer qy'un.
Oh yum, they look mouth watering!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed looking though your blog. You have amazing photos, just beautiful!
Laura in ludwigsburg
Rob -- so glad that my photos can take you on a ride back in time. For macarons, my preference is pistache and other more usual flavors.
ReplyDeleteLaura -- Thank you for commenting as it is always nice to know the readers... I will be stopping by your blog also!