Baillardran
Canele D’or
Canele Pur Vanille
Rhum Raisin, Salty Caramel, Pistachio, Speculoos, Pomme D’Amour, Espresso Macarons
Considered by many to be as synonymous to the canele as Laduree is with the macaron, it was no more than ten minutes after getting checked-in to the hotel that way was made to Baillardran and although several locations dot the map of Bordeaux it was to the Rue Porte-Dijeaux that the GPS was set, this location one of the few where the signature pastry was baked on-site throughout the day.
Located in a luxury shopping district, a feature held in common with at least three more shops passed during the subsequent two days, the glow of Baillardran at the heart of historic city center is visible at a distance of at least one hundred yards and entering the shop one is instantly struck by its brightness, the glint of glass and glistening pastries alongside copper molds all flooding the visual field while cinnamon, vanilla, and rum permeate the nares.
More pricey than it perhaps should be, the labor intense process of making canele plus fanciful design no doubt playing a part, it was after waiting on an elderly French couple that the young clerk turned her attention to me and with options for packaging almost more plentiful than the number of options offered it was eventually ten items that were selected, six macarons baked at the Cours de l’intendance location joining four warm custard cakes.
Offering a trio of two-tops for those looking to dine in, and perhaps to enjoy a spot of Illy with their sweets, it was quickly with boxes unwrapped that first bites were taken, the shell on the golden rum-spiked signature a crackling masterpiece giving way to creamy insides while the newly launched vanilla version was a bit less perfect on the pliable outside, but awash with vanilla and just as smoothly textured within.
Consuming just two of the four caneles before moving on to macarons, Baillardran’s selection consisting of fourteen choices ranging large to small, white glove service ammusingly saw six brightly colored jewels plucked from their bins, the textures of Rhum Raisin and Cookie Butter a bit compromised by time pent chilling while the Salty Caramel, Pistachio, Pomme D’Amour, and pleasantly bitter Espresso were every bit on par the best found in Europe…a place where even McDonald’s has put their foot in the ‘artisan’ pastry door.
http://www.baillardran.com/en/