Saturday, June 26, 2010

The perfect excuse to pause for dessert

There is nothing better than un gateau individuel from a landmark patisserie. But there is something to be said for the neighborhood bakery as well.

So the Pause Détente patisserie is not Pierre Hermé, La Patisserie des Reves or Arnaud Delmontel. But it’s a sweet spot all the same.

Located in the 11the arrondisement, they make giant crispy, custardy éclairs and tarts au citron that are accented with chocolate disks.

Many of their individual cakes are studded with fresh cream or berries…


…macarons or chocolate shavings (as well they should be!).

The big cakes get the same kind of trimmings. You just better be sure you have some help with these beauties.

And there’s even an entire section devoted to chocolate. Pralines and ganache. Milk and dark. Simple and elaborate.


It’s the perfect spot for a Saturday afternoon, n’est ce pas?

98 Avenue Ledru-Rollin, 11eme

2 comments:

Frances said...

It's no surprise that neighborhood Parisian bakeries would not be ordinary at all.

Once upon a time there were some rather special bakeries here in New York City, but they do seem to have pretty much vanished.

The current fad here for bakeries that feature cupcakes that have a decidedly home-baked look is not at all tempting to me. If I wanted a home-baked cupcake with rather sloppy icing, I would make it myself!

I will have to start keeping notes of the places you mention, with the dream of visting Paris again sometime.

Thank you!

The Simply Luxurious Life said...

My somewhat healthy eating regimen would be shot if I walked into this patisserie. All of the images of food, cakes, treats - yum! Thanks for the photos. The artistry is so impressive.