April 15, 2013 was a very very happy day, because Father sent me an angel with a box of Ladurée Macarons!
Renowned pâtisserie Ladurée finally opens their first Southeast Asia outlet in Singapore, bringing with them their famed macarons specially flown in from Europe! For the uninitiated, Ladurée is one of the best known makers of luxury macarons and pastry in the world. They are the ones who invented the double-decker by sticking two macaron shells together with a delicious ganache filling, a creation which sent countless pastry lovers' hearts fluttering on a sugary high. Now we can have an experience of the dainty French confection too, without flying all the way to Paris! Are you excited much yet?
My excitement was kinda clouded with an heavy heart as I started my work day settling in the new MD, while treasuring any moments left with my boss. An appreciation note from my CEO reminded me that it's my 10th year anniversary with the company, stirring in me feelings of gratitude for a very rewarding period of my life, though what comes next is now unsure. I need a moment of escapism.
The endless news stream on social media channels announcing the opening of Ladurée further piqued my desire to get away from it all and get a bite of this sweet delicacy right away, but the fantasy of teleporting myself there is an impossible realization. That's when the angel arrived with the macarons in a girlish pink Singapore limited edition box. The brightly colored macarons certainly cheered up my day! I can so feel the love from my Father :D
My head then did a reality check and told my heart that this box of 8 pieces of macarons comes at an exorbitant price of $38!! Costing from $3.80 a piece, or more if you get it in the limited edition box, these are the most expensive macarons I've ever eaten in my entire life. But my heart has already melted away at each bite into the soft, crumbly shells. These Ladurée macarons are definitely one of the better ones around. I reasoned that it's okay to splurge and pamper myself once in awhile. Nibbles are the way to go to prolong the addictive sweet sensation.
Here are my top 3 favourite flavours:
Chocolat Yuzu (yellow) ~ The distinct citrusy notes of yuzu is very intense and paired extremely well with the chocolate. Definitely your type of flavour if you like fruity macarons but not the saccharine sweetness of it.
Petale De Rose (pink) ~ My colleague said it reminds her of bandung. But I was transported to an English garden with the gentle fragrance of exquisite roses perfuming the air. A dreamy place where I'm sipping tea with Yo-Yo Ma's Doce de Coco playing in the background. So ladylike. So delicate. So much love.
Pistache (green) ~ Laced with subtle nuttiness flavour of pistachio which is so agreeable, I can taste why this is also my CFO's favourite when she had it in Paris. "It's the best of all flavours", she declared.
As with most stores in their opening phase, Ladurée commands a queue at both of their outlets in Takashimaya. I heard the queue is shorter at the open-concept counter on level 1 (between Chanel and Louis Vuitton), but the main boutique on level 2 is where you can find a wider range of merchandise besides the macarons. Would I join the queue myself to get more of these delicious treats? The answer is yes. I'd be making a trip over soon. Watch this space for updates! :)
The Macaron Collection
Permanent Flavours
Coffee, Caramel, Chocolate, Lemon, Orange Blossom, Raspberrym Pistachio, Liquorice, Rose, Vanilla, Strawberry Candy Marshmallow
Seasonal Flavours
Pure Origin Chocolate from Ghana, Chocolate Yuzu, Red Fruits, Chestnut, Praline, Marie-Antoinette Tea, Chocolate Coconut Marshmallow
Many thanks to Daniel Ang for bringing me the blessed macarons.
Ladurée Singapore
Address: #01-24A & #02-09, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Road, Singapore 238872
Contact: +65 68847361
Opening Hours: 10am - 9.30pm Daily
** Update on April 19, 2013
My craving for the delectable Ladurée macarons brought me to Takashimaya on this Friday evening. One will not miss the gigantic Ladurée banner fronting the shopping centre's lobby which generated hype of the famed confectionery's arrival and also arousing curiosity in those who had not heard of it before. Wouldn't you be tempted to check out these macarons from the original makers who created it more than 150 years ago?
Ladurée Boutique (Level 2)
I was prepared to queue but was unprepared for the long queue which stretches to the opposite far end of the boutique. My rumbling tummy told me that it was dinner time and I should be getting some food first before desserts lol. So off I went, but without first taking a peep into the boutique which was crowded with customers hankering for a taste of the famous macarons.
The snaking queue next to the escalator on level one made my friend thought that a sale is going on at LV, but no, people are queuing for the sweet delights at the Ladurée counter which is situated between the LV and Chanel boutique!
It was 9pm by the time we finished dinner but the queue at both the boutique and counter doesn't seemed to get any shorter. Looks like choosing to come on a weekend is a bad idea, and doing some H&M shopping instead would be a more appealing choice. Till the queue gets shorter, I'd probably have to fight off the yearning desires for now.
Wow, 8 pieces at $38!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried this brand before. But I have tried the Pierre Herme in Paris and heard that both brands are equally good. So should not be that heartache. =) haha
ooh I heard about Pierre Herme too. Hope a store is in the works soon. :)
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