gerard mulot

I was first introduced to Gerard Mulot when I found Keiko's blog, Nordljus. She had his book linked onto her blog. The bright cover really called out to me. I made a note of his place in France, but also found out from his website that he has many shops in Japan.

In the meantime, the one that I intended to visit closed and when I went to Tokyo, I didn't get a chance. The counter that he had in a local department store never had macarons, just different types of cookies and cakes.

Then on February 15, they opened a little area called the "Dessert Terrace" in the JR Osaka station. 6 different patisseries all in one place! Yesterday, when Satoshi and I were in Osaka, he wanted to go in. He said he'd been wanting to go in to check it out, but been afraid to since "it was a place for women"...So we went in and Gerard Mulot's counter had...macarons! Of course I had to get some...

The flavors were a little different from what I've tasted, but very delicious! From the left clockwise, Maron (chestnut)--chocolate maron creme filling, Passion Basil--passion fruit gelee with basil infusion (this was a bit on the salty side), Caramel--a cinnamon caramel creme filling, Mandarin -- mandarin orange gelee, Nougat--a nougat-like creme filling. I was a bit surprised because the macarons I've tasted before were quite chewy. These were very crisp but airy and broke as you bit into them.

I want to thank everyone for their tech tips, I've figured out how to load up my photos--I needed to get a memory stick reader. And I also want to thank everyone who has emailed me needing recommendations for places to visit in Japan and other questions about Japan. I hope my advice helped you and that you enjoyed your trip to Japan.

UPDATE: 2011: The Dessert Terrace is now closed