We love Ladurée for its perfect macarons, but there’s a lot more cooking at this luxury tearoom in Khan Market. And now Gurugram is getting a taste of it too.
The entry of Ladurée into India last year had Delhi’s beautiful people fawning. I was one of many who lined up on day one to get my box of luxury macarons. Apart from purveying delicious macarons and desserts at the street level, Ladurée has also opened a Parisian-style tearoom upstairs (of course, they call it a Salon De Thé). I checked it out recently and was happy to discover that Ladurée brings the same perfection to its restaurant menu as it has to its macarons.
Being a tearoom, they have teas for every persuasion, from custom Chinese tea blends to the classics like Darjeeling and Earl Grey and some nice infusions. They have coffees too, and I opted for a latte rose. Spiked with rose syrup and strewn with rose petals, it had a certain je ne sais quoi and set the indulgent tone of my meal. I also sampled the Ladurée hot chocolate. Imagine the richest, darkest and nicest chocolate melted gently and poured into a wide-brimmed cup for your delectation. Nothing like it to lift up your mood.
I tried the French onion soup, which arrived in the exact same bowl they use in brasseries in Paris. Made with slowly caramelised onions, topped with gruyere cheese and hiding softened croutons in its warm belly, it was as delicious as it looked.
I also tried the classic club sandwich (Delhiites, despair not; there is a chicken tikka version too). I guess I’m not such a huge fan of the genre though — while the sandwich was perfectly competent, it wasn’t particularly exciting. It’s strong flavours for me, I suppose.
I had a young companion, so there was no escaping a pasta order. The rigatoni hit all the right spots I gather, marked by restraint and balanced flavours.
Then it was back to the proper stuff like Ladurée’s signature dish — the voul-au-vent. Meaning ‘wind-blown’ in French to describe its lightness, this is a hollow case of puff pastry typically filled with chicken. The morel sauce was poured at the table. The highlight of my meal, delicious doesn’t even begin to describe Ladurée’s voul-au-vent. This is a special occasion dish well worth planning (or dieting) for.
If there is one culinary weak spot I have, it is French toast. So, despite being as stuffed as a foie gras goose, I ordered a portion of the classic version (they have a salted caramel version as well, in keeping with current tastes). Mine came with a side of Chantilly whipped cream. What a lovely way to wrap up the feast!
While the food at Ladurée is of a very high standard, I think the tearoom’s biggest USP is the consistency they are able to maintain — and that’s the hallmark of a good kitchen.
In other news, Gurugram just got its own Ladurée Salon De Thé at Ambience Mall. Clearly, if you can’t go to the macaron, the macaron will come to you.
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Max: 5 stars)
Food: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Interiors/Décor: 8/10
Vibe: 7/10
Read more.
Ladurée, the legendary French luxury bakery, enters India
4 of the best festive dessert recipes for your inner pastry chef