Perhaps my favorite pastry shop in Paris is Sadaharu Aoki.
And I know I'm not alone. I ran into a famous chocolatier from the neighborhood during my last visit, who was picking up his goûter, or afternoon snack, as they call it in Paris. We recognized each other and he smiled at me while choosing a Thé Vert Napolean; layers of vivid green tea pastry cream stacked between dark-golden puff pastry. A wise choice since Sadaharu Aoki is widely-regarded as the master of puff pastry.
After one buttery, crackly bite...you'd agree.
It was a long and difficult decision, but I chose this perfect Chocolate and Salted Butter-Caramel Tart for my goûter.
It was extraordinarily good.
Buttery-crisp pâte sucée filled with rich and salty caramel that oozed out when I attacked it with my fork. On top sat a spiral of milk chocolate mousse, so soft and so creamy.
Pâtisserie Sadaharu Aoki
35, rue de Vaugirard
and
56, Boulevard Port Royal
Paris
WIGD, my mother brought me back some of Aoki's macarons, and there was one that was described as "sushi" flavored. It did remind me of raw salmon dipped in soysauce. Very weird. And there was a wasabi flavored macaron, and one that tasted like a Japanese rice crcker. So he is getting into the salt.
Ditto! We just visited Paris and are already missing it (especially Sadaharu Aoki)! Reading your blog is a true delight and consolation.
Could I ask a favor? On the morning of our departure we had our last Parisian coffee and Aoki’s pastries from Gourmet Lafayette. We got a napolean-like cake designed to resemble cherry blossoms. It was made of cassis and chocolate, and scattered with fleur de sel. We made a huge mistake of not taking pictures before devouring it. Another pastry we had was a chocolate mousse-like cake with 3 whole marrons…. Could you find out their names (and if possible, photographs,) next time you visit Sadaharu Aoki? THANKS A LOT!
Hi Where is Guy Debord?
Thanks for the link. (It’s very kind of you.) The link had many good images, but what I was looking for was NOT THERE. I did do my search (and my homework) before I posted.
IKS Liao, all is well that ends well! Thanks to you, I found Sada's site, with all his cakes...and yours?
http://www.sadaharuaoki.com/
Sada's official website was the FIRST site I searched, and NO, the cakes I was looking for were NOT THERE, either.
Just to clarify, my original comment was left for Mr. David Lebovitz. Thanks, anyway.
Hi David,
Sorry, I didn't mean to start a "private discussion" on your blog. (This is the first time I ever left a comment on the internet, and I didn't know that I should specifically address to the host of the blog....) I enjoyed your blog very much. But why did I discover it after I returned from Paris? :-P
Hi, I think I must agree with Guy Debord about him putting too much sugar in his cakes :) I really like his classic cakes, but am not sure about his matcha ones.