Are Laduree macarons really special?

[jsaimd]

I have been tasting my way through the Nice area, including macarons, which I realize are more of a Paris thing...

But there is a Laduree in Monaco. I missed it when I went to Monaco because the kids were too tired to head up that direction, but I'm wondering...would it be silly to miss them, or are any good macarons similar?

[cacham]

Hello! Macarons are not typically parisians, you find good macarons in many places. One of the best is in Quimper, Britany.
Ladurée Macarons are among the most famous and the most delicious, and the design of the macarons boxes is a real success.
Those from Pierre Hermé are far too sugary. Those from Dalloyau are great too.

[zuriga1]

I was in Paris a few weeks ago and could kick myself for having passed Gregory Renard (hope I got that correctly) and not knowing it was right there in front of me. I tried a few macarons from Gerard Mulot but think the Laduree are superior. I am very happy they've opened a small shop in London, and I think the salt caramel ones are what I want for my last meal ever.

[foodiesnorth]

We are in Paris and just ate some macaroons from Laduree. OH MY GOD, one of the bets things we have put in our mouths. Frigging incredible!!!! In fact President Sarkozy was due there shortly after we arrived. If there are better, I would be shocked!

[Parigi]

I think Ladurée macarons are among the best, and the experience of having tea at the original place at Madeleine indeed special. -- Often, unlike many of you, I can't isolate the food from the overall experience.
As for just the macaron itself, like many of you, I find excessive sweetness to be a one-strike-you're-out kind of original sin.
And I agree that several other pâtisseries are just as good if not better. I will just cite two that have not been cited: Mère de famille and Aurore Capucine.
But I trust your recs more than my own. Dunno how you guys do it, but macaron-fatigue hits me even faster than restaurant-fatigue !

[Michelle007]

I really like the macarons at Lauree over all others. I am perhaps influenced by the whole Laduree experience though. For me, any trip to Paris must include visits to Laduree for their mararons (and Marie Antoinette tea.)

[doctorandchef]

I vote for Dallayou's, but Laduree's are pretty damn good.

I think the difference between "good" and "excellent" is probably small, once you reach a certain level I think I would be willing to eat any brand. Plus different flavors may be made differently so it's a little difficult to compare.

let's put it this way, I've never had a dud from Laduree, I've had plenty of duds from neighbourhood patisseries.

[danna]

Had my first Laduree macaron last week. I ordered 4. i wish I had ordered 40. Unbeleivable. Of course, I'd never had French macarons before, so maybe they are all similar, but holy cow, I'm in love. Picky-ass husband was wowed as well.

[dlgc]

When we were in Paris last week we tasted macarons from Pierre Herme, Laduree and many other patisseries and we still like Laduree the best. Their ratio of filling to cookie is the best, and their flavors are tops in our book. Can't wait to go back next summer and taste some more.

[Teep]

Will be stopping for a day at Villefranche on a cruise. Should I go to Moncao and get the Laduree macarons, or go to Nice and sample the local ones - fresher perhaps?

[jsaimd]

I did end up going to Laduree which is really a tiny kiosk inside a mall. They are indeed very good. I thought Maison Chocolat's in Cannes were just as good, but didn't have anything but a variety of chocolate. For fruit and flower flavors Laduree were the best macarons I had on the trip. Very nice texture and a good balance of flavor. But I wouldn't go there just to try the Macarons. If you happen to be visiting the Monte Carlo, stop in (it is across the street). if you would rather see things in Nice, then go there and try the chocolate and caramel macarons from Patisserie Lac, along wtih their pastries and excellent cannelle and passion fruit chocolates.

[ChefJune]

I personally find most of the fruit flavored macarons too sweet. I prefer chocolate, mocha or coffee, and my favorites to date are by Maison du Chocolat when I'm not baking.

I am willing to be convinced otherwise, however.

[Teep]

I've been to Monte Carlo (and actually remember the mall across the street), and I've had Laduree's macarons before, so guess Nice is the better deal then (even though I would like to have the rose and the violet macaron again). thanks!

[Sylvia P.]

In my opinion, yes, they are VERY special, though others in Paris are also very special (Pierre Hermé, Carette....). They can't compare to the ordinary macarons that most patisseries carry.

[tmso]

I tried a little macaron tasting a few weeks ago: a few flavors from good neighborhood pâtisseries, and the same from Ladurée. A blind tasting with a couple friends resulted in a slight preference for Ladurée -- as in, it was the favorite more often than the others were, but not by any huge margin, and it wasn't always on top.

So, in terms of price, they can't compare ... but really, a *good* neighborhood pâtisserie is almost as good a bet.

[marilees]

Many macarons (like at Angelinas) are too sweet or too rich, but I find the Laduree ones perfect - they have a slight hint of almond, and I like the mix of fillings, from jam to ganache. There are 17 or 18 flavors, and the place is amazingly cute for lunch outside or tea inside. My favorites were dark chocolate, pistachio, bergamot, and raspberry. They are pricey, though.

[tbwenzlau]

I find Laduree macarons to be very special. Spectacular. But macarons are very personal; people have different tastes. A certain sweetness or bitterness can make one love the macaron and the other hate it. If you were alone I would say it is silly to miss them, but with tired kids it is understandable.

Also, in Nice I am convinced they have the best ice cream in the world. Fenocchio's!!!!! By far my favorite ice cream. Make sure to have it. There are three in the old town, one in the center, one closer to the beach, and the other on the outskirt of the old town. Don't miss that. My favorite flavors are fleur d'oranger and jasmine, but I know those flavors don't interest everyone.

[jsaimd]

If you like Fennochio's you should try Arlequin up by the Nice Etoil. It is so much better IMO - not too many flavors but really wonderful. We went and hit Italy for the best gelato reportedly near the border and it was also very good. Haiti Gelato. I had the jasmine at Fennochio with the Griotte and it was good, but I swooned over by marron and chocolat seville at Arlequin. I need to go back there in the next few weeks.

Today I had more macarons from Patisserie Lac - the caramel is very good and some from Canet - eh - a bit too thick of a crust and not the right flavor balance for me - all of them are buttercream based. But all made a good breakfast and dessert after a big miss at dinner - who knew that the poisson soup maison would be pureed anchovies, I like anchovies, but this was a bit much!

[PhilD]

Good macarons are good macarons. Laduree are good, but so are many others. If you have been to lots of good patisseries then the chances are their macarons will be good. I wouldn't make a special trip.