Laduree & Morelli's @ Harrods, Knightsbridge, London

[limster]

• Laduree
Basic tea - a tea bag in a pot of hot water. The macarons are good -- dense creamy and chewy centres, but the crispy fragile shell has less of a presence. Better than most, but I wouldn't forsake Gerard Mulot's version for this.

Diva rouge -- a complex blend of flavours, not sure exactly what was in it -- the fruity sweetness of berries up front, then a suave sour flavour that seemed a bit like vinegar (or red wine?) to me rather than something from the berries, finishing with the bitter nuance of what I thought was chocolate.

The rest of them had more obvious intense flavours: gorgeous vanilla, nutty pistacchio, bright rose, golden caramel and salt.

• Morelli's
A nice dulce de leche gelato, smooth, rich texture with a buttery finish. Not bad but far from the best of its kind.

[Londoner27]

Did you try the pastries? If so, how do they compare with, say, Patisserie Valerie and Maison Blanc?

[limster]

DIdn't have a chance to try the pastries at Laduree.

I thought the pain au chocolat at Patisserie Valerie (Soho) was merely ok, but haven't had a chance to sit in to enjoy their ambiance. Also, I've only had an ok eclair at Maison Blanc in Putney...so really don't have a good sense for the overall quality of Maison Blanc and Patisserie Valerie since I've only tasted one item.

I do really like the pain au chocolat at Trinity Stores in Balham when they're fresh in the morning; or closer to Battersea, the ones (and their great pain de amandes) at Nightingale Patisserie.

[ali patts]

I really should go to Morelli's more as the owner is a friend of a (Florentine) friend. Trouble is I prefer Odono's ice-cream! They have a stall in Selfridges food hall - and a shop somewhere, but I can't remember where. Have you tried it?

[limster]

Thanks for the tip! I've yet to try Odono's.

[nanette]

There is one not far from the South Kensington tube station. It is very good. The chocolate is very chocolately and the dulce de leche quite tasty. I've not had the sorbets, but they look tempting.

[oonth]

Have you tried the macarons at Yauatcha and if so what do you think? Not traditional in that they incorporate a delicate layer of jelly in some cases but the ones I had a few days back were pretty delicious and some interesting flavour combos going on.

[limster]

Afraid not, haven't been to Yauatcha yet.