Come teatime, Fiona and Vincent Leluc invite the frenetic energy from Rue de Bretagne to relax in their boudoir that’s dressed up like a little girl’s daydream (opaline suspension lamps, pastel pink walls, padded velvet armchairs…). Failing that, why not come for lunch and dig into the savory suggestions: a moist leek tart topped with truffled ham; vivifying hummus under a mishmash of lettuce, parsley, mint and pomegranate; plump buns filled with tuna belly… Impeccable little snacks that are almost as good as the homemade pastries (also sold to go) served on ravishing porcelain plates. A few options: a fatal Marguerite – a shortbread tart with fleur de sel, Bourbon vanilla whipped cream and dots of lemon cream; a more extravagant Splendeur – a tender almond base under a heap of Maras des Bois strawberries, orange blossom whipped cream and a pistachio mousseline; not to mention the house’s must-tries – orange cake, lemon cake and chocolate tart. On the weekends, enjoy the brunch option from the comfort of the tearoom and courtyard: fresh fruit juice (orangeade with orange blossom from Lebanon) + a hot drink (tea, coffee, old-fashioned hot chocolate) + rustic bread (with Charentes-Poitou butter and homemade jam) + a homemade croissant or pain au chocolat + fromage blanc and seasonal fruit + a small homemade bun (stuffed with Bellota chorizo or tuna belly or vegetables) + a baby vegetable tart + scrambled eggs with truffled ham or smoked trout. // N.K.
FEELING THIRSTY? Orange blossom orangeade (€8 a glass) and refined imported teas: a smoking hot grand tarry lapsang souchong (€8), a precious genmaicha (€10) or a rarer red South African tea with vanilla, bergamot, jasmine and cinnamon notes (€8).
PRICE: Pastries €10-11, plates €14-22, breakfast €18 (Saturday and Sunday).
