Holy moly, it’s been an age since my last Paris post. Over three weeks, to be exact, and even that was a Glimpses post. To follow my Paris adventures chronologically, I must ask you to cast your eyes as far back as the 6th of April when I talked about the 17th and 18th of March, then come back here to the 3rd of May so I can showcase the sugar + garden adventure of the 19th of March. Nice and uncomplicated, yes?
Also, as this post-surgery business has seen me in more pain than I’d expected, and as I’ve today experienced those lovely sensations that cause one’s mother to dash out for gingerale and salada crackers… this might be more photo- than text-heavy. (Staring at the computer makes the tummy go oopsie-daisies, if you catch my drift.)
In Which I Make a Day of Pierre Hermé
Like any excited gâteau hunter, I spent several hours researching Pierre Hermé’s confections on the Internet before making my way to his Rue de Bonaparte boutique in the 6ème. Dear Blogworld, you are good at building gustatory anticipation.
Walking along the streets of Paris, I ran across this lady:
Clearly mired in misery because she lacks the working digestive system with which to partake in patisserie delights.
Once I arrived at the boutique, I was told by a worker that I could take only two photos. Luckily for me (and you), my giddiness, combined with the fact that I clapped to myself upon looking into the pastry cases and then burst out with “Je suis très contente!”, led the same young male worker to lean over the counter and whisper that I could take as many photos as I wanted.
Of course, I then became a bit self-conscious and didn't take very many good photos.
All the manifestations of the Ispahan: surprise, tarte, the original, millefeuille, and verrine.
Of course, Pierre is also known for his amazing macarons, but we’ve seen enough of those by now, surely? After my morning of research, I arrived at Pierre Hermé hoping to try one of the pastry king’s wackier creations, such as his parmesan and raspberry tart. Alas, March 19th must have been a day for normalcy, as there was nothing kooky in the cabinet to pick.
After a brief moment’s hesitation, I chose what some would call P.H’s original and the best. The Ispahan Individuel.
Biscuit macaron à la rose, crème aux pétales de rose, framboises entières, letchis.
I took my bag with its carefully-packaged rosewater-flavoured macarons, fresh raspberries, sweetened cream mixed with fresh lychees, and rose petal garnished with a single dewdrop of glucose syrup, and made my way to the nearby Jardin du Luxembourg.
Want to know what makes eating something this delicate, sweet, fresh, fragile, and unique all the better? Doing so on a garden bench past which jog countless people running some sort of marathon*. Juxtaposition hilarity… and I know which person I’d always rather be in such a scenario.
The macaron components, with their perfect little feet, had just the faintest hint of rosewater peering out of their depths. Just right for a Turkish-Delight-avoider such as me.
See what I mean about the dewdrop? And yes, before you ask, I ate the rose petal. That's practically one of my five-a-day, right?
Innards shot! See the fresh lychees? And the extra raspberry surprise in the middle? Oh, endless fun.
My overall impression of Pierre Herme’s Ispahan can be summed up in the following words: delicate, refreshing, feminine, textural brilliance (smooth cream vs. firmer fruit vs. crackly-but-soft macaron), not-too-sweet, and subtle.
Raspberries and lychees are two of my favourite fruits, and I was pleasantly surprised by the subtlety of the rosewater. I ended up having to eat this fairly quickly on account of the marathon runners and their kicking-up of dust and dirt… but I’m not one to complain about gobbling up a macaron sandwich. Would you?
Cross-section time. The things I do for you, readers...
* On that note, huge congratulations to L-Izzle, who ran her first marathon yesterday. Well done lady - you’re amazing, and I hope your Silo chocolate and chestnut tart was equally as satisfying to complete afterwards.
OMG the most mouth watering post to date. I want I want
Thank you, you sweet and delightful and precious little thing
This post makes me exceptionally hungry. Though, to be honest, EVERYTHINGGGGgg today makes me exceptionally hungry. I can feel every fibre of my body desperately trying to repair itself. And despite the fact that I have basically not left my bed/computer chair since I finished at 11:30 yesterday, my appetite is acting as though I am still mid-marathon. It’s quite nice to feel SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL AND SATISFIED by every morsel of food to pass my lips….but I also fear I may soon eat us out of house and home.
Anyway, gorgeous, glorious pictures of gorgeous, glorious food by a gorgeous, glorious girl
xoxo
ps. the tarts definitely worked wonders. Even though the chocolate and chestnut is probably my least favourite of their tarts (how can this be!? I do not know.. I just prefer their more custard-based ones which are….magical, transcendental, ethereal…..really friggin’ GOOD), it definitely did its job and I will be returning tomorrow morning for more baked goodiesssssss WOOOoooooo
They are freakin’ gorgeous.
Hannah I hope you know I’m going to have a hard time picking anything else when I lumber up to the PH counter. Hope the toe is starting to get better, and the codeine nausea.
That is the most romantical macaron ever. I want to give that macaron flowers and take it on a date.
It looks amazing … where was PH when we were last in Paris, oh 30 years ago! Clearly it’s time for another visit to Paris.
oh I love how colorful everything is!
“Je suis tres contente!” – I love it! Those macarons looks so beautiful, I’d start to feel sorry for statues who can’t eat them too. Hope your post-surgery-ness clears up soon X
Oh my goodness, that looks so perfect. And I am so unhappy that I’m about to head off to the dining hall, where food like this is -so- unavailable.
And, this reminds me of the episode where Paula Deen went to France. Good tourist: Cute little Hannah walking away with a single perfect macaron. Bad tourists: Paula Deen and her husband leaving the patisserie with dozens of tarts each. Embarrassing to watch! The man at the cash register seemed to be chuckling, too.
I just lost it.
So delicious, delicate and gorgeous. I am so so jealous! Loved the pics too!
Amy: See, you should have waited and done your Europe trip with me
L-Izzle: You definitely deserve all the delicious foods you can imagine/create/purchase/fit in! I have heard that Silo’s custard tarts are its forte… but my heart can’t let go of chestnuts!
Fiona: The French definitely know how to make their food look amazing!
Louise: All I can think is that is has to start getting better eventually! Surely, because you’ve got your family with you, you’ll be able to choose multiple treats and try them all? Please do!
Agnes: Only if you get it home before 11pm – pastries have curfews too, you know!
Whisperinggums: Maybe you could do a stopover before/after Spain and Germany?
Simply Life: It definitely was colourful!
Laura: Thank you! Luckily my high-school French was up to expressing pastry-induced emotions
(It didn’t do so well at the hospital, if I’m honest with you!)
Lauren: But Lauren, you have unending supplies of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and raw cauliflower at your dining hall! What more could a girl ask for? And, um, I think I was more of the “bad tourist” most days in Paris, what with my leaving Monoprix with multiple boxes of amazing cookies and cheeses to be eaten in one day…
Emily: But you have pumpkin pie! I think we’re even.
How utterly fabulous. And the two photo rule, now that is rather unusual, usually it’s either yes or no but glad to hear that you managed to charm them!
Wow! Pink even has its own section! Everything is so beautiful too…how do they do it?
Lorraine: Now if only I could work out how to *intentionally* charm men…
Vaala: They’re French, so I bet they’re just born knowing how!
Those pretty little things deserve a lot more attention than 2 photos. Two photos my *ss. I would’ve snapped away and claimed that only two photos were taken. kikiki.
Amy: I must admit that that thought did cross my mind, but it’s a very small boutique – there’s no way they wouldn’t have noticed!!
Amy: I must admit that that thought did cross my mind, but it’s a very small boutique – there’s no way they wouldn’t have noticed!!
it’s just.. so.. pretty
Conor: I know! I almost couldn’t eat it…. oh, that is SUCH a lie, I never even considered not eating it.
Conor: I know! I almost couldn’t eat it…. oh, that is SUCH a lie, I never even considered not eating it.
wow that is a princess macaron – I would join you on the bench with a macaron rather than jogging – no contest there! glad you took those photos of those amazing displays – though I get very self conscious about taking photos in shops too so am impressed you did so
wow that is a princess macaron – I would join you on the bench with a macaron rather than jogging – no contest there! glad you took those photos of those amazing displays – though I get very self conscious about taking photos in shops too so am impressed you did so
Johanna: It’s probably the one time I’m relieved I have a simple little camera and not a big fancy-schmancy one! Wish you could have joined me on the bench
That looks sooo delicious! Yum!!!
Debbe: It really was! If only it, and Paris, weren’t halfway across the world again… Sigh.
Yummm. I love me some raspberries.
Amber: Me too. Up there with my favourite fruits, for sure!
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