Pierre Marcolini
Coffee Éclair
Salted Caramel Éclair
Pure 72% Chocolate Éclair
Pistachio and Speculoos Macaron
Desire, 72% Single Origin Chocolates, Caramel Duck, Pistachio Marzipan
Italian by heritage and Belgian by birth, Pierre Marcolini was awarded the title of “World Pastry Champion” by age 31 and already a giant in the Chocolate industry by age of 45, his passion renowned by both fans and collaborators to create some of the world’s best confections having now led to boutiques throughout many of Europe and Japan’s largest cities.
Up until recently known as a brilliant chocolatier with Bean-to-Bar ethics blended to the sort of creativity that sees him sourcing exotic fruits and herbs for pralines and truffles, Marcolini’s collection has now begun to also take a look back at the Chef’s roots in pastry and with a keen sense for what “works” paired to peerless ingredients the results of everything in the store is impressive to taste as it is to look at.
Opting to visit the Antwerp store, time and location simply best fit to plans, entry to the store was met by a smiling blond woman who provided pressure-free white gloved service, the eventual choice being ten items including five chocolates and five pastries at a total of €21.50.
Taking items to the streets, no room to eat within the elegant clean-lined store, it was in a small courtyard that first bites were taken and doing best to move light to heavy the flavor of both the Pistachio and Speculoos Macaron were spot-on, the light cookie shattering to the tooth with filling slowly dissipating.
Smaller than many in terms of the Éclairs, each perhaps double the size of an adult index finger, suffice it to say that Marcollini’s Choux holds up to anything found in France or Belgium, the fillings each smooth and indulgent with a particular nod to the espresso version that walks a tightrope between bitter and sweet ever-so deftly.
Told by the clerk that the exotic “Desire” was her favorite item in the store, and pairing it with four more pralines for good measure, the flavor of the gold-wrapped candy was that of a Snickers married to fruits as well as spices, the flavor as complex as the chocolates were each pure and delicate making for an overall beautiful experience that justifies spending a few extra dollars above ‘average.’
www.marcolini.com