As the French president does a quick Mumbai darshan, we explore the delights of the homonymic French pastry, to celebrate the visiting guest
High tea at Freny’s
Although he does pride in staying fit, and jogging down Marine Drive, we wonder if he might not be slightly tempted by our curation. Specifically, the macaron — not named after the President — a sweet, meringue-filled sandwich pastry that is increasingly a fan favourite. There is also the macaroon, a crispy coconut cookie, often confused for the former. But before the French go ‘Sacre Bleu!’ with our cheekiness, chef Freny Fernandes offers some advice.
Chef Freny Fernandes
The founder-chef of Freny’s in Bandra learnt the difference during her time as a student in France. “Macaron is made with almond flour, whipped egg whites, and a meringue-like filling. The macaroon is a crispy cookie with a coconut base, but no whipped egg white. Occasionally, you can add chocolate chip, or flavours to the dough itself. In short, macaroons are crisper, while the macarons are rich and smooth,” she explains. At her Bandra food haunt, the chef serves elegant French macarons with their high tea experience.
President Emmanuel Macron. Pic/Getty Images
With the term almost interchangeable as the dishes grow more popular, the French no longer mind, she says. For those with a sweet tooth, the extra ‘o’ matters little. Here’s a curation to get your pick of macarons or macaroons, as you’d choose.
Fire it up
Coconut Macaroons
AT Theobroma Bakery and Cake Shop, Colaba; Chembur; and BKC (multiple locations)
CALL 8182881881 (Colaba)
COST Rs 150 onwards
Dark Chocolate Macaron Cake; Macaron box
AT Le15 Patisserie, Louis Bell Building, Bandra West; Juhu; Breach Candy; Shivaji Park. (multiple locations)
CALL 9769077309
COST Rs 1520 (box of 16)
Peanut Butter Jelly Macarons
AT SMOOR, Versova; Bandra West; Thane; Powai. (multiple locations)
COST Rs 114 (per piece)
Chocolate Passionfruit Macaron
AT Laduree, Level 1, Jio World Plaza, G Block, BKC.
CALL 8888888664
COST Rs 275
Toasted Coconut Macaroons
AT Meemees, Fort; Bandra; Matunga (multiple locations)
LOG ON TO meemees.in
COST Rs 270 onwards
Vanilla Gold
AT Sin The Bakery, Hotel
Marine Plaza, Marine Drive.
CALL 7045941315 (for pre-orders only)
COST Rs 350 (for 5)
Heart Macarons
AT Toujours Patisserie and Cake Studio, opposite Chitrakoot Grounds, Andheri West.
CALL 226730861
COST Rs 500 onwards (box of 5)
Freny’s High Tea Macarons
AT Freny’s All Day Dining and Bar, Silver Pearl Building, Bandra West.
CALL 7770014123
Spicy Mandarin Macarons
AT Yauatcha, Raheja Tower, BKC.
CALL 222222800
COST Rs 395
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