Sweet Eats:: A sweet discovery...

Anyone who knows me well knows that when I travel, I like to plan a detailed itinerary. Super detailed. It doesn't necessarily have to be followed...I just like knowing what my options are, opening times etc...so I'm not wasting time looking for a place or disappointed if I turn up somewhere & it's closed! This extensive research also encompasses all things related to food. Restaurants, markets, specialist food stores, patisseries...they're all typed up in a spreadsheet!

On our last trip to Paris, we stayed again in the Latin Quarter...it's close to sights, there are lots of daily markets, restaurants & shops. We headed down the famous street, Rue Mouffetard...if you've seen the movie 'Amelie', this is the street where the man in the phonebox discovers his childhood treasure box. The lower end of the street is full of food shops spilling out onto the street, and it is here we unexpectedly discovered the amazing Xavier Le Quere patisserie...standing out in all its modern slickness. In a central glass case with overhead spotlights were the stars of the show...gorgeous little pastries like the raspberry tart I eventually decided upon.

Here's a pic of the store...you'll have to excuse my head being attached to the glass case...the hubbie always chuckles at this "typically Nicky" shot when in front of patisserie displays:

The packaging was sublime (I love that pastries over there are given such respect!), the price very reasonable (almost half the price of Pierre Herme's offerings)....and the tart was delicious. Crisp pastry & the juiciest raspberries! And that's the beauty I've found about travelling...sometimes all the planning in the world can't prepare you for the sweet surprises that you find...N

NB. I've just found out on another blog that the Xavier Le Quere store has recently moved (will keep you posted)...replaced by another patisserie, Pascal Caffet. Hmmm...another beauty about travelling...never finding your favourite haunts again...but at least, the chance to discover new ones!