I was beyond thrilled when Ladurée opened up at Yorkdale mall. I’ve been a huge fan of Laduree ever since I went to their first patisserie in Paris. I knew I had to visit to try their afternoon tea.
When you step inside, you can’t miss their world famous macarons stacked in colourful hues. The famed macarons are flown in from Switzerland. There are 12 flavours of macarons ($3.50 each) available in store, and they sell out quickly. The macarons come in Pistachio, Chocolate Orange, Coffee, Rose Petal, Salted Caramel, Vanilla, Lemon, Orange Blossom, Ice Mint, Raspberry and Hazelnut. In Canada, we have a special maple syrup macaron.
As one would expect, the tea menu is substantial. There are different blends of teas from France and around the world. Some blends are specially made just for Ladurée. Their most popular tea is Marie-Antoinette, a blend of Chinese black tea with rose. Their hot chocolate is creamy, thick drinking chocolate served in a silver pot. It’s very rich, so it’s best to share this one!
I sat down to enjoy a decadent afternoon tea. Tea is $50 per person, and it’s well worth the money. Afternoon tea starts with mini Croque-Monsieur sandwiches with Emmental cheese served on a bed of greens.
Next, finger sandwiches are served, pre-wrapped. You have a choice of smoked salmon, ham or avocado sandwiches. The savoury dishes end with a seasonal fruit salad. After your choice of Ladurée hot chocolate or tea, dessert is served.
The desserts and pastries are served on a tied silver tray. The top layer has an assortment of jewel coloured macarons. The middle tray holds a trio of desserts. There are mini tartelettes filled with passion fruit cream and topped with a gold flecked raspberry. Mini Delice Griottes are Pistachio macarons topped with a plump dome of pistachio cream and a Morello cherry confit. Mini Chou Pralinés round out the trio. They’re filled with praline pastry cream and slivered pralines. Finally, the bottom layer holds buttery madeleines and financiers, along with Chantilly cream.
The madeleines and financiers were fantastic, and were my favouite part of the tea. The desserts were also extremely well done. A traditionalist might miss the scones in the tea, but I was happy with the replacement.
Afternoon tea is available all day from 10am to 9pm on weekdays, 9:30am-9pm on Saturday and 11am-7pm on Sunday.
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