Chocolate and Pastry Fit for a Queen ......and King

[caption id="attachment_364" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="Store signage at this Patisserie"][/caption]

This Patisserie was a must see on the Dello Mano Paris & Chocolate Pilgrimage.

Everything about the Stohrer emblem says royalty. The Storher name is in the centre of a Royal blue oval which is adorned atop with a regal crown and curving flourishes. Beneath the official mark  are the impressive facts that spruik  ( en Francais) How amazing is it that it has been operating in Paris since 1730 as Patissier, Chocolatier, Ice Creamery & Supplier of fine  food.

[caption id="attachment_365" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="Patisserie Store Frontage"][/caption]

A visit to Stohrer was penciled into our Dello Mano Chocolate timetable pre- departure . So when we heard that Stohrer was was only 50 metres away from our Montorgeuil apartment, our excitement was heightened.  Our feet had barely touched our apartment floor when we checked in and we were off in the general direction of Stohrer. What's all the fuss about Stohrer? Not only are his wares unforgettable, their history is enviable.

[caption id="attachment_366" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="historic sites in Paris are marked with these signs"][/caption]

Nicolas Stohrer was Louis the XV Royal patissier . It was during his time with this monarch , that Nicolas developed 2 recipes which are today still recognised as le specialite de la maison.  These delicacies are Stohrers Baba Rhum and  Puit's D'amour (Wells of Love"-delicate balls creme filled pastry). Today, even HRH Queen Elizabeth will do the drop in if she is in Paris and regularly flies Stohrers delights across the channel  as she is such a fan. They proudly feature  magazine articles in the front of their store depicting the Queens Royal  visits.

[caption id="attachment_367" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="The Queen meets Patissier"][/caption]

I'm glad to see that Dello Mano Brownie  is not the only one touting a magazine article featuring celebrity clients ( ie in our case it's Ashton Kutchers Order of Dello Mano Classic Belgian Chocolate Luxury Brownies from Paris . Every little bit helps when you are a small family business. Thanks Ashton!!....now back to Stohrer),

Suffice to say, we didn't discover these house specialties until our  2nd or 3rd day after further exploration .  As first time visitors walking into a gastronomic paradise, you were faced with an a bamboozling array of perfection. So we decided to start with  some basics as a benchmark for our first visit. Award winning Chocolate & Caramel eclair,   millefeuille and a Strawberry tart . We raced back to the apartment , royal loot in hand ready for our treats. We gently sliced to share ( well as best as you  can slice millefeuille and eclairs) and savoured. Our eyes closed as we enjoyed  each morsel.  Nicolas you are a right royal champion.

[caption id="attachment_368" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="our pastry stash!"][/caption]

On the second and third visit ( we lost count on how many times we went there) we then began to notice their other  offerings.

[caption id="attachment_370" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="inside the Patissier shop"][/caption]

The wall opposite the main "sweet" display counter, was the savoury. There was a partially carved ham in the open on a stand  ready for the next customer. There was an array of  pre-prepared  meals ( including dozen lots of escargot elegantly presented in the round and piped potions of  herbed buerre atop ready to cook). On the front footpath before you entered the store was a refrigerated cabinet full of their Ice cream assortments. We didn't pass this icy option up in later visits.

[caption id="attachment_369" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="baked savoury treats"][/caption]

On day 3 we went to try the centuries old  signature the Baba Rhum ( a Rum soaked brioche sweet) . The polite staff member advised that they were sold out until 10.00 am the next morning. We were about to console ourselves with the Paris Brest  ( toffee pieces and a caramel creme sanwiched in between "crisp-perfect pasry"), when he said  suddenly ..Monsieur, we do have one  Petite Baba left ( A smaller version with a creme filling). SOLD!!! We headed back ready to enjoy our little bounty at home.

[caption id="attachment_371" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="Petit Baba"][/caption]

Petite Baba is not for the faint hearted. The Brioche is cupped tightly in a container. When you pry the baba out of the cup, it is dripping of a sweet rum liquid.  Once lifted , you'll  notice that a the cup is one third full of  this nectar . You first bite releases an explosion of rum flavour.  The creme  filling of this smaller Baba version serves to dull down the initial rum burst. All in all we ranked The Petite Baba high on flavour and Uniqueness. The next day we filed into Strohrer to make sure we sampled the Mama of the Petite Baba ( the original  - larger Brioche no Creme) and their chocolates. Same verdict for the Baba Rhum....Highly recommend  it  liqueur fans. Lucky we weren't driving. To their other Pastries & Chocolates, perfect as well. Why not treat yourself royally with a Chocolate treat from Storher..

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Stohrer is a must see, must savour on any Paris Itinerary. Make sure you stop your carriage and enjoy the Chcolate and Patisserie fanfare.

Dello Mano visited many Patisseries and bakeries in Paris - see some of our other blog articles by writing chocolate in the search option.