Hong Kong Eats: Pierre Hermé Paris

Hi guys!  Sorry for being AWOL for a while, been busy shamelessly plugging my SM style hunt thing over the past few days.  Well, sadly, I did not win.  But that's okay!  Thanks to everyone who voted for me :)  Now, back to regular programming!

So what's next in my series of Hong Kong Eats?  Ah, Pierre Hermé.  I actually missed out on Pierre Hermé the last time we went to Hong Kong.  I didn't know they already opened!  I only found out when we already got back and I saw all those Instagram and Facebook posts.  Since then,  I've been beating myself up psychologically for missing the chance to try the much-hyped macarons.  Now, on this trip, you can bet that this was among the list of my must-trys!  Let's see how it compares to Ladurée.  But first, the pictures!

Store front.  Look at all those macarons on display!

Aside from macarons, they offer an assortment of other things

Look!  Jams and candles!  But before I could take more photos, the sales stopped me.  "No pictures!"  BOO.

Chocolates!  I snapped this one from the store window.  Stealth mode.  LOL.

A list Pierre Hermé macarons.  Take your pick!

I am loving the paper bag.  Cute!

And finally, our loot.

Don't they look scrumptious?

So how was it?  Initially I wanted to eat them the moment we got them.  But since we haven't had our dinner yet, we waited until we got back to the hotel before attacking.  The verdict?  Um... sad to say, it did nothing for me.  The flavors were weird (most are a mix of two flavors) and the macaron itself was too crumbly.  Not sure if it's because it took time before we ate it, or the texture really is like that.  It was kinda cold in Hong Kong so the heat may not be a factor.  I'd have to give it 2 out of 5 stars.  Oh well.  Back to Ladurée! 

Pierre Hermé  is at Shop 2410, Level 2, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Chez Karine

A few weeks ago, after a hearty lunch at Abe in Serendra, Mom and I decided to check out Chez Karine.  After all, it's just a few steps away and I've heard raves about Chez Karine's macarons.

This is what greeted us:

The selection of macarons

Personally, upon first impression, I would've preferred a more extensive selection of macarons.  Chez Karine's does have the usual tried and tested flavors, and unexpected ones (maple bacon) but that's about it.   



Pudding!

Their pudding sparked my interest.  How cute can the glass bottle be??  And you know what they say, it's all about the packaging.  Limited flavors (again) though...



Mini cakes

The cakes looked delicious, but coming from a hearty lunch, we wanted just a few bites and the macarons and pudding won over the cakes.  Maybe next time.



What we had

The verdict?  Sad to say I didn't enjoy Chez Karine's macarons.  It wasn't the good chewy kind as expected.  To say that it's forgettable might be the right word to describe it.  I'm not sure if we just weren't so lucky and got yesterday's batch, or it really does normally taste like that.  The pudding, on the other hand, was quite good.  We probably would go back for the pudding but not the macarons.  I really hope Chez Karine would improve the quality of their macarons since it's their star product.  It would be sad to see their next door dessert competitors (Sonja's cupcakes, Gourmandise Patisserie) outshine them and leave them behind. 

Chez Karine is at Serendra, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

Ladurée Macarons

It's here!  It's here!  It's here!!!  What got me so excited?  Oh, just macarons.  NOOOOO.... it's not JUST macarons!  It's french macarons, specifically Ladurée!!  For those in the know, I think you'd share my excitement.  But for those who haven't got a clue what got me jumping up and down, here's a little introduction:  Ladurée originated in France, and it's one of the, if not THE best macarons in the world!  I first got a taste of this on a family vacation to France last 2010.  I've been hearing raves but haven't got the chance to try it out, so when I saw the small kiosk on one of the department stores in France, I went for it! And boy, was I in for a treat! Nothing prepared me for the orgasmic taste of Ladurée.  All you have to do is bite into the crunchy outer shell and savor the sweet and chewy explosion that follows.  Yes, it's THAT good.  After that memorable taste of Ladurée, I've tried in vain to find an alternative, but every other macaron I tasted paled in comparison.  Fast forward to 2011, I discovered that Ladurée has opened a store in New York.  Since Hubby and I were going to New York for our honeymoon, I made sure that we would be able to drop by and get our macaron fix.  Hubby, who has never tasted Ladurée prior to that, found their macarons amazing.  Note that Hubby is a chef and thus, it's rare when he finds something delicious.  That only means one thing:  Ladurée truly is divine.  Third time I was able to have Ladurée was when an aunt came back from New York and brought some for the family.  I wanted to just stare at it to prolong its life because I'm not sure when will be the next time I'll get to have another one but of course, if I don't eat it, then it's going to spoil and such a waste that will be.  You have no idea how much I wished that there would be a Ladurée here in the Philippines or anywhere that we can have easy access to it.  Asia perhaps? Well, I must've been good this year because that wish is granted!  Christmas came early!  Woohoo!  

A picture of Ladurée popped up in my Instagram just last week.  It was taken by my college friend who happens to be in Hong Kong for a vacation.  I quickly googled it and found out that Ladurée has just opened in Hong Kong this November!  And to add to my luck, my best friend D planned a last minute trip to Hong Kong.  Of course I'm not going to pass up the chance, I asked him to get me some!  And today, this is what greeted me:

Love the color. So simple yet chic.

A list of macaron flavors

Very luxurious looking box

My preciousssss... Mine, all mine!!!  Nah, of course I'm going to share (reluctantly, with a pouty face) 

A HUGE thank you to D! :)

So if you happen to be in Hong Kong, or plan to go there, do know that Ladurée is now open!  French macarons just an hour and a half flight away!  Best. News. Ever.

Ladurée Hong Kong is at Harbour City Shop 3224, Level 3, Gateway Arcade, Tsim Sha Tsui.