I've been having this insane craving for a dreamy cup of hot chocolate lately and the one that comes to mind is the Chocolat Viennois I had at Ladurée! Since I wont be heading to the nearest one anytime soon *wish  I were*, I figured I'd do a post solely on Laduree since the short write up I did in combination with other posts didn't do much justice to it.

I had to give Ladurée a miss on my last trip to Paris as I didn't have much time. So on my recent trip back I made sure I got myself there! Thankfully Jaja from GLAM Magazine, who I was with was on the same page. *phewh* We headed there right after the final shoot.

There it was.. Ladurée!!! A fantasy-like castle right smack on the prestigious Avenue des Champs-Élysées. It is one of the oldest and finest Parisian Tea Rooms. Known as the inventor of the double-decker macaron, fifteen thousand of which are sold every day. They are still one of the best known makers of macarons in the world! Stepping in, an air of luxe granduer engulfed my very being. My palate anxious to be bathed in gorgeous desserts.

That's the line for the takeaway macarons. It continues all the way outside!

The endless choice of desserts, food and teas made figuring out what to have such a task. I was staring at the macaron list for a good few minutes before I could decide. From classic vanilla, chocolate, chestnut, pistachio to something a tad different, caramel with salt, violet, bergamot and the list goes on.

As my order finally arrived I was smiling in quiet contentment. Yummy-ness!! The macarons looked too pretty and dainty to be eaten in a single bite. Not that I would ever do that. Lol! Taking a tiny bite into one, it was light, rich and thoroughly delightful. Various fillings of buttercream, ganache and jams were rich and refreshing.

Chocolate Catsz taking on Ladureé

Mini Macaron - €7.50 for 4 minis

The Tarte Chocolate à l'Orange was every bit decadent and sinful. This dessert will satisfy any chocoholic's cravings. Coupled with my pot of tea, it was marvellous.

Tarte Chocolate à l'Orange - €6.50

Biscuit Brownie with candied orange, chocolate with ganache cream

Thé Eugénie - €6.30

A delicate blend of strawberry, cherry, raspberry and currant tea

Unfortunately or fortunately my craving came back to haunt me a few days later. By which time I was already in London. So I convinced my friend Oni, who is always up to trying desserts to go with me to the one in Harrods for breakfast!  Located at a quiet corner, it's easily missed if you weren't looking for it. Loads more cosy without forgoing the luxurious feel.

To indulge my chocolate craved palate that morning, nothing like a Chocolat Viennois with Chantilly cream (a vanilla flavoured cream). Bitter sweet, rich and heavenly DIVINE!! I stopped breathing for a bit there. Lol! My dream hot chocolate ever! *rejoice* Oni opted for the Café Viennois with Chantilly cream. The coffee made from the finest beans was strong and would leave any coffee connoisseur wanting more.

Chocolat Viennois with Chantilly cream

Chantilly Cream *sigh*

Chocolat Viennois - £4.00

Café Viennois - £3.20

Oni and I shared the Carré Chocolate which was sheer indulgence, heavy yet tantalisingly guilt filled. Needless to say I was savouring every layer. No I didn't give macarons a miss, I tried different flavours and just as the ones in Laduree, Paris, they were delicious to say the least! That made for a perfect breakfast!

Carré Chocolate - £6.00

A black chocolate macaron biscuit with thin crispy leaves of dark chocolate, smooth dark chocolate cream, smooth dark chocolate biscuits and chocolate zabaglione mousse

The mini macaron @ Ladureé Harrods didn't have the same offer as the one in Paris

Mini Macaron - £1.80 each

As for meals and other dishes, the price is fairly reasonable considering it's one of Paris' finest tea rooms.  A two course meal is £32 and a three course will only set you back £37.50.

Ladurée rocked my world.. twice. The amazing selection of macarons and desserts is but a small price to pay to indulge your palate in something so exquisite. To put it simply, it's "Fit For The Gods"!!

There are a number of Ladurée outlets around France but mainly in Paris. There are also outlets in various other countries. The ones I went to:

Ladurée Champs Elysées
75, avenue des Champs Elysées
75008 Paris
Tel : +33 1 40 75 08 75
Getting there: The nearest Metro Station is George and is also walking distance from Arc de Triomphe

Ladurée at Harrods

87/135 Brompton Road
London SW1X 7XL
Tel : (0) 203 155 0111
Getting there: Nearest Underground is Knightsbridge

I realised I didn't really have much time to walk around *sigh*. But Jaja, the babe from Glam and I made a pact that whatever happens we had to make it to Ladurée!

First stop was Arc de Triomphe which was about 20 minutes walk from the hotel, not too bad. Good thing it was only March, so there weren't many people crowding around. Going there in summer is just crazy. Since I was already there, figured might as well add to my collection of Arc de Triomphe photos from previous visits.

After a few quick snaps, we walked down Paris' prestigious avenue Champs-Élysées making quick stops along the way at various stores including a huge Sephora.

Then there it was, across the road.. Ladurée!! The Ladurée tearoom started in 1862 when Louis Ernest Ladurée created a bakery at 16 rue Royale in Paris which eventually turned into a Mecca of Parisian pastry creations.  It is known as the inventor of the double-decker macaron, fifteen thousand of which are sold every day. They are still one of the best known makers of macarons in the world!

15 minutes later and we were in! Wow.. the decor of the tearoom was beautiful. It transported me back to a more historical Paris with a refined atmosphere.

Here's what we had for tea - Tea for us both, Cheri - Delicate blend of cocoa, caramel and vanilla tea, Eugenie - Delicate blend of strawberry, cherry, raspberry and currant tea, Tarte Chocolate a l'Orange and macarons. Lost for words.. it was DIVINE!!

I didn't want to leave.. omg just let me live there! Alas I had to go.. do not despair my love, we shall meet again. Pretty obvious I go absolutely mental when it comes to gorgeous desserts. *salivating.. drooling..*

After Jaja's short shopping trip, the sun had already set. Which meant it was the perfect time to get to... The Eiffel Tower! After so many photos at the Eiffel Tower in the day I finally get to see it at night. Despite the numbness in our fingers and the cold that was seeping through our coats, the sight was magnificent!!

I got back to the hotel exhausted but satisfied wishing I was back at Ladurée stuffing my face with to die for desserts and macarons.. Time to pack for London.. Woohoo!!

Okie I really wanted to share with you guys my daily experience as it happened but I guess it was way too ambitious. Continuing where I left off..

As part of my prize I also won RM500 worth of MAC stuff. I brought a few along with me to jazz up my look since I couldn't really play around much with my outfits coz I was bundled up most of the time. Blame the temperature, 7 degrees even with sunny skies was a bit much too handle.

I've had breakfast sent to the room for the past 2 days and its been absolutely yummy. Hot chocolate with freshly baked croissants and baguettes plus butter and jam. Croissants and baguettes came from the bakery that was just next to the hotel. Soo soft and fluffyy!!!

The 3rd Day started quite early after my second cup of hot chocolate. The location was the Grand Palais. A simple yet a background that really stood out. Since we only had til about 1 pm to finish the shoot, everything was done at the speed of light.Which was a good thing coz I was crossing my fingers hoping to wander around Paris for a bit. Sneaky me.. *wink wink*

With brilliant photographer Bustamam

With Snips' Mike Loh

And it did.. over by about 1245pm. After a short interview with MiFa TV, (will post it up when its out :-P), we got back to the hotel to rest a bit and then I was off for a walk.

I'm really bad at rambling..

Afternoon walkabout next post.. :-)