Mon deiu – the French can be picky about their food. And thank God for that. It means that we, in the land of fry-ups and porridge, benefit from our neighbour’s finer culinary exports. Paul, is one such treat.
The French family patisserie was feeding chic Parisian’s their morning croissant since 1889. That’s 120 years of honing the recipe for perfect pastry. As you bite into the buttery goodness – crisp on the outside soft in the middle – it shows.
It’s a sunny day in Wimbledon village, which means I’m more likely to turn into a bread roll than get served one. The outdoor seating is packed and I take a deep breath, preempting the inevitable queue that waits. But as I enter, my steps become lighter. It’s all so exquisite, so dainty, so French! The decor is simple-sophisticated. It has to be, to avoid competing with the presentation of sweet and savory treats, that sucks-in all who pass the threshold. “Cake display” seems like insulting. It’s more like a cabinet of jewels. The raspberry macaroons are rubies, the pistachio are emeralds and the chocolate torte exudes velvety richness.
This is designed to distract you, of course, from the fact that a croissant costs £2.00. By the time I sit down (inside) with my espresso and macaroon (large), I am grateful for the high prices. Any cheaper and I would of grabbed an extra’ chouquette’ (baby choux pastry balls coated with sugar), popped my jeans button and ruined the fantasy. My waitress Veronique, tells me that Paul sells 13 types of bread and 14 kinds of pastry, all are hand-made. Paul has 22 shops in London and the Wimbledon is the most recent edition. If you are lucky enough to stumble across one, I suggest you go in, just make sure you’re carrying enough change.
Paul’s special Easter range:
Oeufs Chocolat en Lait, a jar of speckled chocolate eggs
Oeuf de Pâques, a decorative egg shell full of chocolate mini eggs
Lapins au Caramel, bunnies filled with caramel covered with marble chocolate
Assortiment d’Oeufs au Chocolat, an assortment of chocolate eggs
Chocolate & Jelly Lollies, assorted novelty chocolate or jelly lollies
