Translator
video via Wall Street Journal.com
I just watched this video on Wall Street Journal dot com which really got me thinking..
The once classy, elite French confection called the Macaron which use to only be available in Ladurée and Pierre Hermé, Paris, is now starting to show up in low-end places like Starbucks and McDonald’s in France.
Of course the fans of the Macaron in France are up in arms because they feel like their prized confection is being desecrated. “Macarons are not meant to be mainstream,” says a well known French lady writer who has been blogging about French culture from Washington for the past six years.
As you can see from the video, the people on the streets of France are put to the test.. and while some who “claim” to be experts really are, others do not really have a clue.
As you can see from the video, the people on the streets of France are put to the test.. and while some who “claim” to be experts really are, others do not really have a clue.
First it was the rage of the cupcakes, now the macaron. In Malaysia, Starbucks or McD’s might not be carrying these cutesy, colorful, burger-looking sweets just yet, but I have to say, places that sell them are sure proliferating compared to just 5 years ago. The other side of the argument that I have read is that whilst large-scale franchises might start to churn out mediocre versions,.. so what? This might be a good thing because, it will force bakeries and local cafes to up their game and to keep improving the macaron.
Yup, macarons going mainstream is a good thing. Look at the quality of the cupcakes available now – it has come a long way since transitioning from ‘indie’ to mainstream. I for one am really happy that so many bakers in Malaysia can make Macaron and make them well. 5 years ago I would have spelt it Macaroon and probably said.. “Macaroon who??”
People who are fans of this delicate pastry and love them passionately will almost be assured of finding better alternatives with each passing year. Lovely! I heart Macaron!
Recently one of the really cool places that has opened up for business is a restaurant called Nathalie’s Gourmet Studio.
Recently one of the really cool places that has opened up for business is a restaurant called Nathalie’s Gourmet Studio. Imagine my surprise when I found out that this was the Nathalie under whom I took a Macaron baking class, a year ago! Surprise, surprise.. she seemed really happy to seem me and when she found out that I was a blogger too, she was more than happy to show me around her cooking studio. I immediately fell in love with the place and also charming Nathalie, all over again! I love this French baking teacher.. she is hot! LOL. Anyway ..
1. The Macaron (of course!)
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2. The Shop Deco
As you enter, you will pass Nathalie’s baking studio. As you take a turn, you will enter the main dining area. Her kitchen has an open concept where you can actually observe her and her team cooking. It’s super-modern, uber-chic, yet still comfortable.
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3. The Fine Food
Salted butter and bread
Please note how lovely it is that the butter is indeed salted with actual bits of salt!
Eggplant in 3 ways
This immaculately presented menage a trios consists of, eggplant on toast, eggplant mousse ice-cream (note photo on right) and eggplant with souffle. Gorgeous!
Asian Crab Salad
Duck Confit
Squid stuffed with oxtail
Poire Belle Helene
Oh my Lord! My dining partner is not big on meringue but I tell you, she loved this one! Once you break open the sorbet that sits in the meringue cup-like structure (all of the components can be eaten – how clever!) it reveals pear cubes in a slurry of super smooth chocolate. Call it, the surprise inside the egg, if you will!
4. The Service
The service was attentive and the waiters made good recommendations. This is a real plus point.
5. The Packaging
This place is like the mecca of packaging! From the shop’s ID to the cutlery to the nice, shiny take-away boxes of goodies, Nathalie’s Gourmet studio exudes class and finesse.
So how did the macaron fare?
I could be biased because I love this lady – she was my Macaron baking teacher.. BUT, I have to say they are perfect in their own right. Leave them for 2 days in the fridge and they get even better, when the outer crust forms a little more, revealing a soft, squidgy inside that is characteristic in a great macaron and just so addictive.
What can we say.. We love this place! We will definitely be back.
Add: Nathalie’s Gourmet Studio
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Haha, that is funny that French Micky D’s are getting into the picture. That really has to get the Gaulic gall up.
Love love love your photography. Macarons seem to be making their stand as the cupcake du jour lately, theyre all over Canada as well.
thank u much ayngelina
r u french? you have pretty cool name;)
Yummy! Love the shot of the macaroon with a bite out of it….
(Altho it’s evil! – now I’m craving for macarons so baaaad…)
LOL, it ain’t evil. It’s little
i am craving for macaroon now. awww
))
gotta pay a visit to Nathalie’s!!!
time to go then but go early! the place gets packed
(80% foreigners.. sure sign her french food is good;P)
Can you and FBB make me some macarons, darling? Muaks in advance.
piece of cake. piece of macaron?
im coming back for the makan makan!
u must!
now if only someone could convince nathalie to keep the restaurant open for dinner too! 6pm is too early to close!
i know what u mean.. This is my 3attempt to eat here. I finally made it.. Woohoo!
My first macaron was from french cafe Lenôtre. But was not impressed at all, so am still wondering what’s all the fuss about. Perhaps I’ll give it another go at this place and see if I’ll be a convert. Mitchu for lunch?
yes kat.. I saved a spot 4u nxt to me:p
Eh very nice shots lah, Cikay !!
Have you jumped ship to DSLR?!
lol, thx for the compliment! It ain’t dslr.. But it is a new camera, yes:p
if it so addictive then i must go and try it!
eeee everyone’s raving about this place, i must go oredi!
wow! the macarons look so tempting..
wonder bite d will be chewy n melt a not..hrmmm..
surely will drop by d~
that looks so goooooooo!
So beautiful. I’m glad I read this tonight instead of earlier. It helped end my day on a sweeter note.
ps. I watched the video too!
Ahh you made it! Food looks exquisite… the promise of the crowd though, not so much! :-S
yes! happy joy joy:)
Oh man…. I’m eating lunch and you make me drool for deserts!
Beaaaaauuuuutiful!!
Like the look of the food but macaron, I am put of by the colour!?
Thanks for your article and these nice pictures ! Hope to see you again soon !!
Ben
hi ben! thank you for the comments. nice meeting u that day, and yes, we will be back:)
i also heart macaron!
Wow, this is such a cool blog! Not only do I heart macaron but I heart your blog too!
Not surprised by what I just read and saw…fabulous cooking from Nathalie as always….she is the queen of macarons just like everything else in her kitchen…very well done ma copine!!! You’re the best!
oh looks YUUMMMMM
me heart macarons too!! w.a.n.t. t.o. g.o. t.o. nathalie’s stat!! babe, i took my tartlette macarons (cos the macarons sched didn’t agree with mine) with sunny yaw and would love to try nathalie too. thx for this post!! i can now add another to my macaron list: http://shelbymarried.blogspot.com/2010/03/macarons.html
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