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Showing posts with the label Le Mans

French Patisserie Revisited: A Japanese Twist- Takayangi, Le Mans

When it comes to food, you should never be afraid to experiment, you could end up creating something amazing and delicious. Takayangi have certainly done just that. This is French Patisserie with a Japanese twist. At first glance, the cakes look like traditional French fare, however upon closer inspection you notice that they have carefully incorporated Japanese ingredients. These cakes offer a whole host of new flavours, making an interesting and tasty afternoon tea. We had a strawberry and rhubarb tart topped with Yuzu flavoured meringue. Yuzu is a Japenese citrus fruit, and added a delectable tang to the meringue. Even more out there was the black sesame mousse cake topped with a sesame tuile. We're not sure if we've ever seen grey food before, but trust me, this tasted delicious! Also, we tend to associate sesame with savoury, but we might just have to change our minds! We can't recommend Takayangi enough. This patisserie just goes to show that a mélan...

The joys of the Café Gourmand- Instant T and L'Étage, Le Mans

I may have to start a campaign fighting for the introduction of the Café Gourmand to the British café scene.  Common place in France, the Café Gourmand is the perfect compromise for the indecisive. For normally about six euros, you get a cup of coffee and a selection of mini desserts.  Two of my favourite cafés in Le Mans do excellent Café Gourmands. The first is Instant T, a very fancy (seriously, they take your coat and everything!) yet reasonable priced Salon de Thé with a view overlooking Le Man's impressive Gothic Cathedral. In this refined atmosphere, I enjoyed a delicious Chocolat Gourmand with a choice of 3 mini desserts from the menu. I chose a salted caramel rice pudding, a beautifully tart rhubarb crumble and a chocolate and salted butter tart. Delicious! I would also recommend the lemon meringue pie, which my Dad had, and I stole sneaky spoonfuls of. The other good thing about Instant T's chocolat Gourmand is that you get a jug with "top up" hot c...