One thing I was really looking forward to on my trip to Paris was breakfast at Le Deux Magots. It was without a doubt my favorite Paris breakfast up until this point. Only a few steps away from our hotel (do you think that happened by coincidence? 
), it was on the top of my list. Want to hear something weird? I just wasn’t feeling it this time. Nothing really changed. An institution like that knows that it is best to stay with what works, but here’s the thing: it just wasn’t working for me in the same way that it used to. I had a tartine (a baguette which came with delicious Echire butter) and Hubbs had a croissant and coffee. It was … pleasant. But how come I remembered it being so much better than it actually was?
The next day, we decided to try Cafe Flore for the first time, right across the street from Deux Magots. Cafe Flore, however, turned out to be the biggest disappointment of our trip. Our waiter was a complete dingle, for starters. My baguette was fine, but Hubby’s croissant was… how shall I put it?? It was absolute crap. It resembled a flaccid slug on the brink of death (how’s that for imagery daaaaahlings?). At Cafe Flore the croissants are placed on your table in an ugly plastic see-through box. You take what you want and leave the rest. The waiter then refills the box to make up for the ones you’ve chosen, and then he offers it to the next customer. I shudder to think how many times each croissant is handled, and by how many people, before the customer eats it. Mr P looked seriously cranky as he ate his limp and lifeless pastry. He positively radiated annoyance. The service made him more cranky. And then cranky husband= cranky housewife. Two cranky customers then had to wait 30 minutes to just get the bill and another 15 to pay. As for that poor excuse for a croissant, I can’t remember the price, but it was obscene (along with everything else on the menu). Now I am not normally one to quibble over price. Hubbs and I are not shy when it comes to spending money, but when I pay extra, I expect to get something extra. I expect something that is exceptional in some way or another. The only thing exceptional was that my usually upbeat and happy-go-lucky Mr P was sending out a distinctly unfriendly vibe. That is certainly no way to start the day in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, now is it? We will not be going back. that’s for sure.
Why is it then that these two cafes have so much clout? Why do all the tourists flock to them? Well, partly because there is a lot of history attached to them, and they have both been frequented by very esteemed clientele since way back. They also occupy locations that make them ideal spots for the famous Parisian pastime of people watching. But I have come to the conclusion that what they are really good at is branding. They no longer have to struggle to produce great food, or offer great service. They are famous already. They could probably just survive by selling their cafe’s personalized memorabilia. It is kind of like going to the Hard Rock Cafe. Does anyone really go there because the food there is so exceptional? Deux Magots and Cafe Flore are very recognizable brands amongst foreigners, and for some, I think no trip is complete without a visit.
Now here is an interesting question: what do real Parisians eat for breakfast? Well, funnily enough, most Parisians don’t actually enjoy sit down breakfasts at a restaurant. Most of them eat something at home, or grab a croissant from a favorite bakery on the way to work. Breakfast is not really a big event. If you think about it, breakfasts at these iconic cafes are strictly for tourists. No sane and self respecting French person would pay that kind of money for croissant and coffee; quelle horeur! No, that extra pocket money is to be put aside for the latest Hermes accessory.
A few hours after our breakfast at Cafe Flore, I got to try another treat that was on my list: Pierre Herme croissants. I have heard amazing things about them, and just for the purposes of research for my croissants of Paris survey, I had to try them. OH. MY. GOD. I surely stumbled into some kind of psychedelic vortex of croissant nirvana. Seriously, just thinking about it now, I die! I want to cry because I know that its going to be ages until I have another. It was so buttery, so flaky, so completely divine!!! My previous favorite croissant, the one at Laduree, was now of absolutely no interest to me anymore. The Pierre Herme croissant is an absolute 10/10. It is up there on my list of top 10 things I have ever eaten… EVAH! And do you know what? It was €1.50! How could the most ultimate breakfast in Paris be so cheap? Who needs an overpriced cafe when you can indulge in the pastry version of butter infused crack at a fraction of the cost?
The most perfect butter croissant I’ve ever tasted!
The Croissant Ispahan, at a mere €1.80, was equally stunning. Is this not just the most beautiful croissant you’ve ever seen? Just look at that rose and sugar glaze and the dried raspberry flakes. I honestly can’t tell you which croissant I preferred. As far as I am concerned, these are the gold standard. I can’t imagine a more prefect croissant. All I can tell you is that I will probably think about them every single day until I can go back. I’m sick like that.
“Hello lovaaaaaaaaaah!”
Inside those lovely flaky layers is a lovely surprise of rose flavoured almond paste along with some raspberry and litchi compote.
And now my lovelies, it is time for me to unveil my latest challenge to anyone who wants to join in: croissants!!! As I picked the last challenge, the Ottolenghi cheesecake, it was now Stevie’s (from Weird Combinations) turn. He chose croissants. The idea of making my own croissants both terrifies and thrills me, but now, after looking these stunning examples, I am completely inspired. We will be using this Julia Child recipe as our base recipe, but of course, you are free to add in any of your own personal touches if you’d like. We will be posting our crescent shaped (hopefully LOL) masterpieces on Monday, September 19th. What do you say, are you in? Let me know if you want to take part, it’s going to be delicious and tons of fun … just think of all that buttah!
Beautiful pictures! I would love to visit Paris!!!!Those croissants look absolutely delicious!
I lived in Paris and I never sat at Les 2 magots, nor le Flore. It was considered a place for tourists and Parisians don’t go there; but Pierre Hermé, now I waited in line at his tiny store near St Sulpice and ordered 35 petits-fours that I proceeded to “taste” all by myself, sitting on a bench and later at my brother’s place. Hit and miss for these petits fours; still, always very good at the very least.
I think I will participate in this challlenge, truly a challenge! Have neve made croissants before, sounds very exciting!
Oh my goodness, those Pierre Hereme croissant look absolutely divine. And good luck on your challenge, one day hopefully I’ll rise to the occasion too
Pity about the tourist trap cafes, but at least you found the real thing after that.
+My dream is to visit France and just hit up every patisserie..not much else. I’ll have to pay for two seats on the plane ride home, but for croissants like that, it would be well worth it ;D
My sister came back from homestay in France not too long ago and told me that croissants were only eaten on Sundays as a treat and black coffee is usually all the French eat for breakfast!
Amazingly delightful! Simply fabulouso! I would love to try it.
OMG, croissant are my absolute “péché mignon”. There is no way I can resist them!
Pierre Hermé is such a genius, can’t think of something I don’t like in his heaven
True that. These croissants look divine and I am pretty sure they taste heavenly as well.
Gosh, how could I missed so many of your posts. Darn! guess, the updating isn’t working. Croissant ~ nothing better than to enjoy one of this. It looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing it.
Kristy
Wow! The croissant looks very delicious! It makes me hungry and I want to prepare like that! Thank you for posting this article, hope one day I can make a croissant like that. Keep it up!