Paris in Your Mouth

We were back at St. Armand's Circle for a bit more exploring after a day in Sarasota checking out possible neighborhoods for our next apartment. If you are not ready for a meal yet it's easy to walk past an Irish pub or a Japanese sushi bar but who can resist French pastries?  Le Macaron beckoned with promises of espresso, chocolates, gelato and yes, macarons.  We answered the call.

French macarons first entered my vocabulary thanks to my foodie friend Anne back in Austin.  She is always up to date on what's hot in the food world and, being a gluten-free girl by necessity, gets really excited when she finds something delicious and indulgent.  French macarons are just that--egg white, ground almonds and sugar plus whatever you make for a filling.   They are very different from traditional coconut macaroons so keep that in mind.  French macaroons are light and squidgy and there's something very naughty about something so little tasting so good.

The good news is Le Macaron had atleast twenty different flavors to choose from.  The bad news is that the little buggers are $1.80 each so dreams of walking out with a colorful box full will be tempered by your wallet. So we advise you be very zen about it all and embrace the intimate experience of selecting just one to try and savoring it.  That's what Jamie did.  He chose a white chocolate and basil macaron and ordered a double espresso to go with it. I was needing a cool down and ordered a cup of lemon sorbet.  Everything was fantastic.  The combination of sweet and savory in that little macaron was at first really strange.  You smell the basil before your tastebuds kick in.  But then your brain says hey, this isn't pesto, it's white chocolate!  Mmmmm.  Great with coffee or sorbet.

We sat on a couch near the door and watched people come and go as we lingered over our treats.  During the hour we were there, each person that left had a box of macarons in their hands.  Some sat for a bit, enjoying gelato and fabulous looking croissants and pain au chocolat at little iron tables along the pink walls.  I overheard one lady picking out chocolates. She must have spent a fortune. 

When John Ringling conceived St. Armand's Circle, he envisioned Europe with all its best offerings being available to visitors.  A visit to Le Macaron is certainly in keeping with Ringling's aspirations.  It was like being back in Paris, sitting outside a cafe, caught up in the swirl of people and beautiful food. 

http://www.lemacaron-us.com/ 


(Photo were gleaned from Google.  We were too busy eating to think to take pictures!)