Cédric Grolet’s Pastries at Le Meurice

The salon Le Dalí at Le Meurice

I must admit I was slightly apprehensive about visiting a palace. It’s not really my world and I was simply afraid of not feeling comfortable. Well, I can tell you I felt no discomfort whatsoever — I actually felt very much at ease. The salon Le Dalí is magnificent. In the afternoon, it transforms into a tea room with a cosy, warm atmosphere. The lighting is soft (which partly explains the colour of the photos… the other part is simply my inexperience in food photography).

We are welcomed with a smile (we had opted to make a reservation, which I also recommend, especially for weekends). Once seated, I discover a beautifully laid table (I love the tableware). We take the time to pester the waiter to browse the menu and take a look at the desserts on display a little further away. The hardest part will be choosing. While Lilou is seduced by the chef’s ultra-chocolatey dessert, Céline and I choose the 3 gourmandises du chef (3 small desserts). As for drinks, the choice is vast, particularly for teas. I know nothing about tea and wanted to try the hot chocolate (from the Manufacture Alain Ducasse).

Tasting the Pastries

Gourmandises du chef

That day, it consisted of the famous tarte vanille (I had heard so many good things about it!), a tartelette aux framboises and a cookie. I won’t hide that I was a little disappointed to see a cookie appear. I think I was expecting something more elaborate, even in mini version. But that was before I tasted it. I had a wonderful time eating that cookie. A little dessert of apparent simplicity that conceals remarkable work in terms of flavour and texture.

I don’t like raspberries. That’s a fact. I find that intensely tangy quality off-putting, and it’s not for lack of occasionally trying to tame my palate. Well, of these 3 desserts, it was the one I preferred. Obviously, when someone manages to make me like raspberries, I say bravo chef! A super crispy pâte sucrée, a soft biscuit, a delicate cream and fresh raspberries to pep it all up. Divine!

I saved the tartelette for last that day… the presentation is perfect (you’ll spot Yann Brys’s famous tourbillon) and when cut open, you discover the chef’s incredible work (and an absolutely stunning praliné vanille). I really enjoyed this dessert, perhaps not quite as much as I had imagined. We detected a slight bitterness that made us wonder if there was coffee inside. I simply think it’s an incredibly vanilla-rich dessert (and that this slight bitterness comes from that, though I’m not sure).

The hot chocolate (from the Manufacture Alain Ducasse)

Chocolate lovers, I absolutely recommend this drink. The waiter brought me a blend of melted chocolate and milk (which you dose according to your taste). A little too rich in chocolate for me unfortunately, but I was nonetheless delighted to have enjoyed a hot chocolate of this quality.

Verdict

We easily spent 3 hours chatting, we felt so comfortable in this salon. The waiters are welcoming, advise us when needed but know how to stay discreet. During our little girls’ afternoon, we were also brought a slice of kouglof fresh from the oven (a little marvel!!) and then later, a tray of madeleines arrived. A warm little madeleine with a honey lava centre. You can imagine, we were completely spoilt!

The prices are high, admittedly, but we are in a palace after all. But the quality is there. Cédric Grolet’s work is remarkable, simply put. And besides, one must treat oneself from time to time 🙂 I will happily return to discover the chef’s new creations (I can’t wait to taste these signature desserts, like the Noisette or the Citron….)

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