432837 Sun Aug 19 14:28:14 -0700 2007 42 61 Austin 0 2860056 Has anyone seen macaroons like these, sold in Austin? I don't want the big coconut chunks like at Quack's but the soft/chewy type like this photo. Thanks! Sun Aug 19 14:28:14 -0700 2007 120045 chispa_c 1 2860438 Chispa, I know exactly what you're looking for, and I too was on the same quest. Unfortunately, I found nothing except...a recipe! I actually gave them a try and they came out nicely. A month or so ago, I saw them frozen at Spec's, but I actually looked for them yesterday and it seems they have stopped carrying them. At any rate, here's a link to my blog post with the recipe. It wasn't hard to do at all, and I brought them to work and made people swoon. http://thefoodieblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/macarons.html Sun Aug 19 17:52:14 -0700 2007 2860056 81120 foodiegal71 2 3420278 I saw them frozen at Specs recently - the one on Airport Blvd. Thu Feb 21 08:27:33 -0800 2008 2860438 51590 Allison L. 1 2860605 Yes, these are Parisian macaroons...I'm not from Austin but if there aren't any true Parisian bakeries around, if there is a Whole Foods near you, you might try there. I have seen them at our local (Seattle) Whole foods. Sun Aug 19 19:03:33 -0700 2007 2860056 14400 karen2006 2 2868155 Sadly, our Whole Foods do not have them, believe me, I've checked. If you decide to make them, make sure you do lots and lots of research. The recipe I link to in my blog is from another blog. The comments on that recipe had a TON of great tips that I followed. I was really happy with the results I got my first time. In fact, I might have to make them again this weekend. This time I want to do a fleur de sel/caramel combo. I'd also like to do a pistachio version. Tue Aug 21 19:41:35 -0700 2007 2860605 81120 foodiegal71 1 2917940 Oakville Grocery in the Domain carries French macarons. They have three flavors: pistachio, raspberry, and pecan. They don't look nearly as nice as the ones you see in pictures from Laduree or Pierre Herme. Thu Sep 06 16:50:39 -0700 2007 2860056 34145 verily 2 2923762 i've had the ones at oakville grocery. they look god awful but are quite good. they are made by a local company that supplies local catering businesses and coffee shops with pastries, desserts, wedding cakes called Sweet Tempered http://www.sweettemperedaustin.com/ Sat Sep 08 23:43:16 -0700 2007 2917940 43533 yimay 3 2923942 I picked up a few of them yesterday and they're a bit dear at $1.49 each, and they are indeed small and ugly. But damned if I didn't eat all three of them yesterday. I think I like the Texas Pecan best. Sun Sep 09 06:31:50 -0700 2007 2923762 20271 bookgrrl72 4 2938314 Y'all crack me up. I love the photo! Did you sneak that with your cell phone yimay? It kind of looks like a cheese biscuit gone bad. Thanks for all the investigative work!!! Thu Sep 13 11:25:39 -0700 2007 2923942 120045 chispa_c 5 2939497 i did take it with my cell phone. but no sneaking. i had a few more yesterday over lunch. they tasted and looked better the first time. :( oh also this time they only charged $1.49 for two of them. not each. who knows. Thu Sep 13 16:32:11 -0700 2007 2938314 43533 yimay 6 2943997 My boyfriend and I are determined to go by Enoteca today for the other recommendation. We're going to hit that coffee shop in Clarkesville that everyone seems to rave about - Medici. I'll report back. Maybe we'll take the camera too! Sat Sep 15 08:36:43 -0700 2007 2939497 120045 chispa_c 1 2919415 Hi there, I also love this type of macaroon, and they have a chocolate flavored one at Enotecca on South Congress. They call it a "meringue", and its pretty big. I've had two in the past week. Fri Sep 07 08:26:23 -0700 2007 2860056 125431 Salt_ofthe_Earth 2 2922252 Oh, oh, oh- I LOVE these! My hubby brings them back from NYC for me- from La Maison du Chocolate. We never even thought to look here! Sat Sep 08 07:51:39 -0700 2007 2919415 15635 ChristineR 2 2923441 Bonus!!! Thank you so much. I'll check out both Enotecca and Oakville. Sat Sep 08 19:04:35 -0700 2007 2919415 120045 chispa_c 1 3075226 I finally made it up to Oakville to try the macarons. I have to say, I wasn't too impressed. The texture was too lumpy on all of them, and I didn't think the flavor was good with any of them except the pistachio. I want my macaron to be a bit more delicate than I thought these were. The look of them is just important as the taste to me. I'm giving it a try again making them myself. I've got my egg whites sitting out, just like Piere Hermé does! Sun Oct 28 19:48:21 -0700 2007 2860056 81120 foodiegal71 1 3081526 Zoot offers a macaroon ice cream sandwich that is quite nice. I am sure if you asked they would be happy to make a batch for you. Tue Oct 30 19:32:24 -0700 2007 2860056 135376 j1d50 1 3199623 i know this is an old post, but i've ordered them from sansalone's bakery before and they were SO good! Tue Dec 11 15:32:46 -0800 2007 2860056 15518 shelbyk 1 3419177 I know this is an old post, but I saw French macaroons at Whole Foods this past weekend. They were from an Austin company called Luxe Sweets and located in the bakery section on one of those display islands. I can't remember all of the favors (pistachio, white chocolate orange...), but they were perfectly formed and beautifully packaged. I think they were $10 for around seven macaroons. Wed Feb 20 19:32:22 -0800 2008 2860056 110473 cbear 2 3419211 Thank you very much for the info! Wed Feb 20 19:43:41 -0800 2008 3419177 117760 angusb 3 3440307 I'm not sure if you've checked these out yet, angusb, but there are pictures of the Luxe Sweet macarons in today's Statesman. Here's a link to the story: http://www.austin360.com/food_drink/content/food_drink/stories/2008/02/0227kitchenspace.html The owners of Kitchen Space, a new commercial kitchen for rent by the hour that's the focus of the article, are also the team behind Luxe Sweets. Thus, it's no accident that their products are featured in the photo spread. Click on "Photos: Kitchen Space" on the left to pull up the images. Two of the nine photos are of the LS product. A quick Google search also brought up their website: http://www.luxesweets.com/ Disclaimer: I haven't personally sampled any of Luxe Sweet's baked goods. I just thought this information might prove useful to those of you on the hunt for macarons. I'm looking forward to reading reports from any chowhound who tastes them. Wed Feb 27 11:10:57 -0800 2008 3419211 10608 MPH 1 3419259 if you DO decide to make them, check this out: http://www.syrupandtang.com/200712/la-macaronicite-1-an-introduction-to-the-macaron/ Duncan does a three part tutorial on how to make La Macaronicité! And I've tasted his offerings.. tres delish!! He even has a recipe about what to do with macarons that don't turn out (maca-wrongs) Wed Feb 20 19:59:56 -0800 2008 2860056 86137 purple goddess 1 3420341 i bought a chocolate one at Central Market on Feb 10. they had vanilla too. good stuff. Thu Feb 21 08:40:52 -0800 2008 2860056 106850 NirvRush 2 3420412 Where were the macarons at Central Market? In the bakery? They were selling them individually? North or south CM? Sorry for so many questions--just very curious. Thu Feb 21 08:54:48 -0800 2008 3420341 117760 angusb 3 3421254 Okay, so I answered my own questions. I stopped by the CM on N. Lamar a little while ago. I searched for a while, but I finally found the macarons in the refrigerated case in the back where they sell cakes, creme brulee, etc. They were tiny--much smaller than I expected. They were even smaller than the tiny macarons that they call "Luxembergerli" in Zurich: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Luxemburgerli_zurich.JPG . I would say that they were 1/2 ounce each or thereabouts (slightly larger around than a quarter, and 3/4 inch or less thick) . There was also only a tiny amount of filling in each one. They offered chocolate and vanilla, and both were priced at $1.29 each. The tag does read macaroons. I bought one of each. The chocolate was boring, very flat tasting, and the filling was perhaps too runny, because the texture was inappropriately gooey/slimy inside. Further evidence of this is that the two halves were basically sandwiched directly together, without even 1/16 inch separating them to accomodate the filling. The vanilla was better in both flavor and texture. Unfortunately, on top of the flavor of both was the distinct flavor of the refrigerator in which they are stored. They are uncovered on a tray in the refrigerated display, and they have suffered from such treatment. I asked the guy behind the counter where they are from and he went to ask, but nobody knew the answer--he could only tell me that they were imported from France. Maybe if you catch them the day they arrive from France, the quality would be better. Thu Feb 21 12:05:04 -0800 2008 3420412 117760 angusb 4 3427957 Angus, I tried the vanilla and the chocolate from the south CM today and I think I had a better experience. I should have asked where they came from, but I have a feeling no one would have known. The cookies tasted fresh, and they were cooked well. There was no air between the shell and the cookie, and the filling on the chocolate was really fudgy, which I liked. The vanilla was a bit runny, but the amount of filling was good. Sounds like our fillings were just the opposite of each other :) I was pretty dismayed at $1.29 for a macaron that was a tiny as those. Still, I didn't hate them, and they are much better than the offerings at Oakville Grocery. I'm off to WFM later this evening and hope to pick one up there as well. I'll be making maple/bacon filled next week for my mom when she visits. I made them for a bacon party last week and they were a big hit. Sat Feb 23 14:43:52 -0800 2008 3421254 81120 foodiegal71 1 3429500 EXACTLY what you want: http://www.mydreambakery.biz/persian.htm They have a couple of varieties, and the macaroons are VERY good. East of 183 on Anderson Mill on North side of the road. Hours: Monday- Friday 7AM - 6PM Saturday 8AM - 6PM Sunday Closed Phone / Fax: 512.219.1235 512.250.8329 9422 Anderson Mill Road Suite B. Austin Texas 78729 Sun Feb 24 09:19:33 -0800 2008 2860056 169024 buxom7657 2 3432688 Thanks, buxom7657, but I am sorry to report that the macaroons are NOT exactly what we were talking about. If you'll look at the photo again in the first post, it shows two cookies sandwiched together with a filling. The macaroons available at Dream Bakery are indeed like the cookie portion of those in the photo, but they are just that--a little cookie. No filling, no sandwiching, just the cookie portion. That said, they are at least half the way there. The "parisian macaroons" that Dream Bakery sells are tasty, if a little dry. They are also not uniform in size or shape, and they have no added color or flavor. I suppose it wouldn't be too much trouble for somebody to buy the cookies, make a little ganache or filling, and assemble the macarons themselves. Also, the proprietor was very friendly and eager to help, so perhaps she would make them by special order--I know they do special order cakes. Mon Feb 25 10:48:13 -0800 2008 3429500 117760 angusb 3 3432809 I looked at WFM the other day and saw no macarons in the bakery. I was sad. I've come to the conclusion that I just have to make my own to have anything interesting. Mon Feb 25 11:15:43 -0800 2008 3432688 81120 foodiegal71 1 3524655 I found the Luxe Sweets macarons at the Whole Foods by The Container Store. I got pistachio flavored ones, and they were decent. I also tried the giant chocolate one at Enoteca about a month ago. I like this one much better. The two cookies had perfect texture. The filling was a little too creamy and a bit overwhelming, but it might have been because it was so big. Mon Mar 24 22:30:33 -0700 2008 2860056 177692 afang 1 3551825 If you feel like paying a hefty price and even more for shipping, Dean & Deluca carries François Payard's macaroons - http://www.deandeluca.com/bakery-shop/pastries/french-style-macaroons.aspx Tue Apr 01 21:40:29 -0700 2008 2860056 116131 SandraCan 1 4181081 I just got an email that www.fusionaustin.com is selling these macarons! This is a chef from Paris who recently relocated to the area. I've tried one of them and they are heavenly. Unfortunately I deleted the email before looking at the price, but it's probably on the website. Mon Nov 17 14:35:45 -0800 2008 2860056 88061 Samoq 2 4183106 Very cool. Seems odd that I'd have to pay shipping for product when they are in Austin. Do they have a store front? I can't tell. Tue Nov 18 09:58:17 -0800 2008 4181081 120045 chispa_c 3 4183233 I looked at all the pages on their website, and it doesn't appear that they have a retail shop. Perhaps if you email they would allow pickup instead of shipping. Tue Nov 18 10:41:56 -0800 2008 4183106 171092 michaelch 4 4183301 That's the way Luxe Sweets is. I'll have to search the Austin forum to see who has checked them out. They also so Macrons (located under their "French" tab). Tue Nov 18 10:57:52 -0800 2008 4183233 120045 chispa_c 1 4483312 This is kind of late, but the Enoteca macaroons are delicious. I've had a few of their flavors, but my favorite so far is the truffle honey. Sat Mar 07 17:56:47 -0800 2009 2860056 175519 chrischris 2 4985768 Walton's on 6th St. usually has house-made "macaroons" that are actually macarons. I have had pecan with chocolate ganache, orange, and lemon. Most of them are great. The pecan one has been occasionally inappropriately crunchy on the outside, a little cement-like, but not every time I've tried them. The orange was my favorite. They are largish, and they sell for $1.00 each, IIRC. Fri Aug 28 09:29:51 -0700 2009 4483312 117760 angusb 3 5021576 Thanks! I work near there and have wanted to check it out. Now I've found a good excuse to go. Fri Sep 11 06:15:54 -0700 2009 4985768 120045 chispa_c 3 5021682 I agree about Walton's macroon's too. Walton's has very good sweets at very reasonable prices. Fri Sep 11 06:55:12 -0700 2009 4985768 19611 Carter B. 3 5080306 Tried the macaroons at Walton's on Saturday. They looked like they would be perfect so i bought 6. Once I got them home and tried them, they exploded in to little bits when i took a bite. They were indeed, dry and crunchy. I wonder if it's difficult to get them to be chewy like the ones i had in San Francisco - because of the humidity. Whatever the case...Walton's macaroons didn't satisfy the craving. Dang. Mon Oct 05 11:35:15 -0700 2009 4985768 120045 chispa_c 4 5129078 Walton's seem to be hit-or-miss in terms of the freshness. They also raised the price to $2 per macaroon. The ones at WH I have never tried because in the packaging they already are crumbling and appear to be quiet stale. The best macaroon I have had stateside was in Miami at Paul Bakery. I would love to find a macaroon that was actually chewy and hearty. The ones in Austin seem to be small and unfortunately, usually stale. CM Vanilla, though tiny was good, but I think they stopped making them b/c I haven't seen them there in months. Sun Oct 25 06:50:30 -0700 2009 5080306 1119014 carly819 5 5131690 I agree Carly. I had some fantastic macaroons in San Francisco and I really don't want to have to mail order them. It may be difficult to make these here due to the humidity. In any case, I'm going to keep looking and hopefully someone will be able to point me in the right direction. Mon Oct 26 09:42:22 -0700 2009 5129078 120045 chispa_c 6 5132316 I don't think it's the humidity, because the ones we got at Bouchon Bakery in Las Vegas were divine. Mon Oct 26 12:46:50 -0700 2009 5131690 1101448 brentwood 7 5132541 I agree. I make them and I've never had an issue. I studied a lot to learn how to make them. I read everything I could get my hands on and then made them for the first time. The trick seems to be to let the egg whites sit on the counter for a couple of days. Seriously, sounds gross, but I've never made one that wasn't nearly perfect. I'm thinking commercial bakers in the US probably can't do that without violating some sort of code! Mon Oct 26 14:03:41 -0700 2009 5132316 81120 foodiegal71