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Where to Find the Best Chocolate in Brussels

Wandering Chef: Pascal Rigo in Paris

Author of The Sweet Life in Paris shares his favorite places to eat in the City of Light.

While the rum-soaked baba au rhum cake originated at Stohrer pâtisserie and is a classic, it’s the éclair au chocolat and the seasonal flavors (this winter’s include both salted caramel and chestnut cream) that deserve special attention. So do the majestic frescoes by artist Paul Baudry (famed for his décor in the Palais Garnier opera house) that adorn the shop’s walls and ceiling.

It also happens to be one of the oldest patisseries in Paris, and is absolutely worth dropping by on your next trip to the city for one of their delicious sweets.

At once simple and incredibly complex, the ubiquitous French pastry can be found all over Paris. But if you’re really looking for an experience, check out one of these renowned pâtisseries.

When it comes to pâtisseries and candy shops in Paris, a ranking of ten just isn’t enough. Here are some of the best spots in the capital you (and your belly) won’t want to miss.

This hotel is on our list of The 11 Best Hotels in Chicago.

Designers Lisa Simeone and Gina Deary of KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group oversaw the original design of the Parisian-inspired Waldorf-Astoria Chicago in 2009, and the pair was once again brought in to breathe new life into this 215-room Gold Coast gem. Rooms are now bright white, well-lit, and include pops of uplifting magenta. Before you hit any of them, however, there’s much to entice at street level. Enter from the circular driveway and marvel at the Swarovski chandelier, modeled after a vintage brooch, along with the herringbone wood floors and black-and-white pinstriped stone. Don’t miss the Peacock Lounge and its secret sister, Bernard’s Bar, an intimate craft cocktail and champagne boîte, which is virtually unknown even by city denizens (which means you can always find a seat). Its Scottish and equestrian themes are almost as anachronistic as the Mansard roof and circular driveway, which just adds charm to this newly beloved Chicago hotel.

The guest rooms feature oversize headboards and abstract floral bedspreads, while bathrooms are a marvel of marble. For something more, splurge on either the new 1,800-square-foot Astoria Suite or the redesigned 2,400-square-foot Presidential Suite, both of which will have you feeling you’ve been transported to a Parisian pied-à-terre (the latter’s primary bedroom features a fireplace).

You’ll have a hard time ever leaving B. Patisserie, and you’ll know why it’s been an over night sensation in lower Pac Heights. The open, modern space feels like something you’d find in the Marais in Paris, and the fact that you can view the pastry-in-the-making magic, while you’re deciding what to order- it a rare treat. B. Patisserie is owned by head pastry chef Belinda Leong and her partner (and San Francisco Baking Institute founder) Michel Suas. Leong trained in Paris with Pierre Herme and has been a part of kitchens such as Gary Danko, Fouchon and Manresa. A colleague of mine (and an extraordinary pastry chef in her own right) suggested this location recently for a catch up with the girls and I have to admit I’ve been back way too many times since then. Four Barrel coffee is also on hand to help you wash down the inevitable delicious delights, and with window seating as well as tables, it’s the perfect place to catch up with friends.

There are no shortages of places to eat and drink in the Belgian coastal town of De Panne. If you’re looking for a snack and a good deal, head to Patisserie Antoine, just a couple blocks from the North Sea. You can get a couple of croissants with a coffee for about $5. Of course, there are many other enticing things on the menu as well as a mouthwatering selection of cakes and tarts.

With the opening of this salon-de-thé meets pâtisserie in August, the left bank got a lot more interesting. Graduates of Ferrandi cooking school, Charlotte Siles and Guillaume Gil sought to create a contemporary environment where gourmands of every age could protract the experience of tucking into a time-tested French treat - no need to rush out the door after purchasing that tarte au citron, you can cozy up with a book (or laptop, as it were) and enjoy your sinful snack with an espresso or cup of tea. When it came to designing the space, the couple took cues from Charlotte’s itinerant childhood, hewing to exotic decorative pieces, unique furnishings and a vibrant color palette to accent the white walls. That alone sets it apart from most tea salons. But the duo took it a step further, offering a market-fresh savory menu for lunch and brunch that is out of this world. So while most of what reigns cool in Paris is still situated rive droite, Colorova’s masterful mix of haute pâtisserie and design makes for one worthy reason to cross the river.

I had my misgivings about La Patisserie des Rêves (literally, the pastry shop of dreams). Widely hyped since its opening in 2009, Philippe Conticini’s whimsical space breaks with traditional codes both in decor and dessert. I had seen photos of his immaculate creations enclosed in temperature-controlled glass domes suspended from the ceiling like protected jewels and I wasn’t convinced I’d appreciate the experience. The shop initially felt impersonal but I was willing to give it a chance during a food tour with Context Travel. One bite of the tarte au citron- perfectly tart - and I joined the ranks of Conticini fanatics. While you’ll be tempted by mostly everything tucked neatly into pristine bell jars, you shold head to the viennoiserie shelf and pick up a Kouign Aman, the best outside of Brittany.

This tiny bakery tucked away on Avenue du Mont-Royal hides one of the city’s most decadent secrets: the kouign amann, a Breton pastry creation that can only be tasted to be believed. Picture an eggy, pie-shaped croissant, then smother that in butter and caramel that crisps up around the edges. It’s a morsel of insanity, that’s what it is, and this place is its originator in Montreal. They also bake regular delights, like baguettes, loaves, blueberry tartlets stuffed with almond paste and chocolate croissants. Stop in for a perch at one of the two and a half tables and a quick sandwich on your way to or from the mountain.

New York and London may be the unofficial capitals of cupcakes but I swear Lilou Pâtisserie in Baie Saint Paul is better. Way better. The bakery is owned by two young women passionate about the art of baking and would definitely give Cake Boss a run for his money. The service is warm, welcoming, sincere and the smiles are always free. They offer a vast selection of sweets, from cupcakes to full-5-tiered cakes to macarons and cookies, among others - which just makes the selecting process that much more complicated. I particularly recommend the maple butter cupcake - you can thank me later. What better way to celebrate Quebec’s traditions than with maple delicacies?