Feb
02
Between 70th and 71st
There’s a block on Madison that makes every other block on this avenue kind of irrelevant, and that’s the block between 70th and 71st. Two remarkable brands set up shop here, Celine and Laduree. They are right next to each other. I guess the best of the best like to congregate?
Already posted about Laduree so long ago, and I’ve been coming here to get macarons for a long time. Laduree hasn’t been around in NYC for long, but of course there are several in Paris. I came here a month ago to pick up gifts for my friends, but there was a line around the block so I passed. Not this time though.
I can’t help but take too many photos of the exquisite packaging.
I got three boxes today. Already been around the block with the dozen+ flavors here, so I know exactly what I like, I don’t want to waste my time with the others. The lady who was filling these boxes for me liked me so much. She stands there all day dealing with customers who go … ‘uh I’ll have this, and…the caramel…and..uh…pistachio…and…uh…coconut..uh..what do you recommend? …’, and I guess that’s why the line is long, because the associates need to individually pick each flavor out based on the customer’s requests. She was shocked when I requested three separate boxes filled with the same flavors. One filled with Cassis, the other with Rose, and the last with Pistachio, her hands breezed through without thinking too much stacking these boxes and I could tell she felt smug picking up multiples of the same flavor line. When I like something I just want more of that one thing, variety is really annoying sometimes right?
I guess out of all of these, Rose would be my absolute favorite.
Had to do a clean half knife cut of these, just look at the structure. Thin crumble to the touch crust, chewy interior, and the most amazing fillings, not too sweet. Just perfect. There is no other place to buy macarons besides Laduree, they have secrets and I do not know what they are. I do not want to know what they are. I am perfectly fine with spending exorbitant amounts on pastries when I know that I can never make them myself, at least not at this level of perfection… Enjoyed these with a triple black espresso, need some energy for tonight.
I just finished two rose ones, 1 pistachio and 1 cassis. The rest is in the fridge now, and they will be sweet punctuations during the week.
Alright, thanks for reading, I must get ready for a late dinner with friends.
Damn wish I’d gone here when I went to NYC. Oh well, I will go to the London and Paris ones in a week! Your photos are mouthwatering :’)
Totally agree with you about wanting more of the one thing rather than variety. If I know what I like, I stick with it. In Sydney, Baroque make these amazing jasmine tea macarons.
i noticed you have the meriage tea set. i own 3 bags of the blue moon tea and i am obsessed. can you educate your readers on the tea and what are your favorite flavors. im dying to go to france just for this tea.
I love that place. Looks amazing.
Great pictures of great macarons!
Step into Estherina’s World
I’m a macaroon lover. Must drop by Ladurée when I pass by NYC again. I’ve been dreaming about it for the last week, what a coincidence that you mentioned it today. It’s a sign from the pastry gods.
so so jealous. bet its like having heaven next door to door. this seems like too good to be true.
Those macarons look gorgeous.. I’m still yet to try the ones from Laduree, argh!
Ugh. This is the WORST thing to be looking at right now after my workout. Want some macarons now badlyyy.
You’re so lucky! I just mentioned this place this Monday and how I don’t live near it. Can’t believe there’s still long lines out the door! I would do anything to have those right now!
I have no idea what Cassis is, but I have tried Pistachio and the Rose flavor where I live. I want the boxes very badly!
Wida
Missing Amsie Blog
Laduree are the best macarons in the world! Glad they are now in NY
i used to love ladurée, but they have decreased in quality, in Paris at least… they are often not as fresh as they should be
but when they are at their best, i so enjoy the chocolat amer, lemon, chesnut, and pistachio ones…
you should try and make some, I am sure you would come up with some mind-blowing flavours and decor (and i find they are surprisingly not so hard to make if you are very precise, which i gather you are!)
those macaroons look oh so divine…I wish I lived in NYC…it seems to have everything!
xxx
there is one place beside ladurée to order macarons it’s sprüngli from switzerland, if you’ll ever be around, you need to try them http://www.spruengli.ch/
I should make a note to try rose then.
ohh this is heaven!! lucky you xx
Last time i passed several times Ladurée on Madison, there was this line around the block, but I live in Paris now, and I’m not crazy about macarons. From time to time i like to try one or two and that’s it for months. I didn’t know they could sit in the fridge without losing the texture of the cream…
I guess Celine has no line, you can buy their bags in as many flavors as you want very easily, and the sales lady is very happy to comply
I have been totally infatuated with the rose flavour ones ever since making my first stop to a Ladurée in Switzerland. Unfortunately, since moving, I’ve had to do without…
I disagree – Pierre Herme macarons are far superior to Laduree. Have you tried them?
Agree completely. Whenever someone tells me they like Ladurée, I know it’s because they haven’t had Pierre Hermé.
Nothing can touch Pierre Hermé.
Could you sound any more pretentious? It is boring.
(in reply to Deb).
I’m the loser who has never tried one of these, from any shop. My sister and I were just discussing them on Monday, and we concluded that they don’t look very good. Well, that’s until now … After seeing this I’m dying to try one. They look so pretty, and if you say they are delicious, than for sure, they must be.
Loulou Downtown
I think you’ll like this website a lot: http://www.parispatisseries.com/. The writer does really detailed reviews of all the pastry shops in Paris along with really well done shots of all of them, including, without fail, a clean cut through of each pastry. It’s so addictive!
I like how you colour coded the macaron flavours to the box!
Yes, the rose macaron must be the best (and the Ispahan macaron too!), but I think I like Pierre Herme’s a little bit more.
The tea set from Laduree in Harrod’s was rather depressing last time I tried it, but I love their vanilla tea.
i have never eaten a macaroon in my whole life. i need to get out more…
nataliya
I have never either. Seen so many blogs featuring photos of them I thought must be the latest trend.
Laduree and walks home from work on Madison are just two of the many reasons why I feel fortunate to live on 77th St. Rose is my absolute favorite, and Laduree does it better than any other I’ve tried.
The Macarons are so delicious, I’m eating the macarons wen I was in Paris last month, so Bon Appétit!
was about time for laduree to get to NYC yo
/Taru from World Tour Stories – two lovers sailing around the world
I always enjoy Ladurée macarons when I’m in London. I drink tea sitting at the beginning of the Burlington arcade and day dream while eating those babies
xoxoxo
All the things I love <3
I love pistache flavour! If you like Ladurée you should check out Pierre Hermé when you go to Paris!
Between 70th and 71st | Luxirare – just great!
I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while now and I am always enjoying your food posts. Very sharp ! If you like macarons I recommend Pierre Hermé (french girl talking)… they have the best flavours combo ever, very creative ! *)
If you are ever in downtown LA, Bottega Louie makes some excellent flavors that might be worth branching out into. My favorite of their classic flavors is earl grey, but they also have interesting seasonal flavors too. For fall they had a great apricot chestnut flavor and for winter a nice matcha one. And they have rose, pistachio, and cassis as well, so you could still fall back on your favorites!
Welle, I see I am not the firt to recommend Pierre Hermé, but I should add the the flavors are quite different, Ladurée stays classic and Pierre Hermé does bold matches some people I know do not enjoy ie white truffle + hazelnut, chocolate+foie gras. I do love the vanilla+olive oil, and he usde to do some amazing things with wasabi
I will definitely be trying these out this weekend, they look so delicious! Your pictures come out so beautifully.
Rose is definetly a huge contender to the thrown out of those flavours, but I would have to say that pistachio is my all time favourite. Lovely photography, once again. Very beautiful. Hope you are well.