The first West Coast outpost for the French company is a sprawling boutique - complete with a terrace - and much more than just a shop. Not only does it sell its prized macarons, pastries and chocolates, but also features a restaurant and tea salon. Highlights of the menu include the Champs-Elysées Club, a vegetarian version of the classic sandwich; Ladurée omelette with mushrooms, ham, cheese, tomatoes and herbs; and a tofu burger.
Ladurée, which first established a tea room in Paris near the Place de la Concorde in 1862, is said to have originated the idea of French macarons and filling them with different flavors such as rose, pistachio or salted caramel. Over the years, Ladurée has collaborated with a host of fashion designers on limited edition macaron flavors and boxes, including Lanvin, Reed Krakoff and Emilio Pucci.
Since 1997, under new owner David Holder, Ladurée has been expanding internationally. It opened its first US location on Madison Avenue in New York City in 2011, followed by another in Soho and then an outlet in Miami.
Those with a sweet tooth
Macaron flavors range from classics like vanilla, pistachio, caramel with salted, to seasonal specials such as chestnut, coconut, violet. U can order them from a stunning white marble bar in the front of the shop
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