Mon dieu! To my delight, a new French patisserie has opened up just a quick walk from work, right next to the Metrotown Skytrain station! This new cafe and pastry shop makes it a convenient way to pick up gourmet macarons or almond double baked croissants! Mon Paris Patisserie, recently opened by world renowned chocolate and pastry chef, Elena Krasnova, offers freshly baked pastries such as croissants, scones, caneles, and pistachio turnovers, as well as macarons, gourmet chocolates, marshmallows, tarts, and assortment of eclairs and cakes.

A small group of my coworkers and I went for a lunchtime visit to the patisserie. I couldn’t help but want to order one of everything due to the amazingly beautiful selection of French pastries and desserts on display through the glass cases. The pastries looked flaky, filled with flavour, and freshly baked. I decided to order the pistachio turnover and the almond double baked croissant, while one of my coworkers ordered the chocolate hazelnut croissant. Mentally I already told myself I wanted to come back to try their apricot scones and kouign-amann, a pastry that’s a flaky crisp bread with butter and sugar.

Mary was eyeing their macarons and also interested in trying their lunch special, a profiterole sandwich with pesto chicken, arugala, tomatoes and cheese. She ordered a colorful display of macarons to go (green apple, lemon, pistachio, strawberry, chocolate and salted caramel), and the sandwich for lunch. The profiterole was a great way to replace their traditional bun, fluffy and crisp and held the fillings nicely. Since both the pesto and the cheese were salty, it overpowered the flavour of the sandwich.

Two of my coworkers and I splurged and ordered from the tarts and cakes, one opted for the Mille Feuille, a caramelized puffed pastry dough layered with vanilla pastry cream and fresh raspberries and jam, while another ordered the lemon meringue tart. I was attracted to the colorfully orange Passionata, a biscuit madeleine with honey and raw sugar, mango brunoise, and passion fruit mousse. It was light, airy, not too sweet, the right amount of tartness, and just a small layer of cake texture at the bottom to hold it all together. All the cakes on display were gorgeous – beautiful creations of art that taste just as amazing as they look.

Last but not least, having a sweet tooth means I had to treat myself to a small box of gourmet chocolates made in house. I selected 5 pieces to take home and savour day by day. Mon Paris’ chocolate collection consists of flavours such as Pomegranate Ganache, Tiramisu, Pineapple and Malibu Ganache, Mango Passionfruit and Coconut, Lime Mint and Rum Ganache, and Balsamic Vinegar Reduction and Strawberry Ganache.

We welcomed the addition of Mon Paris to the neighbourhood! With the close proximity, I’m sure my coworkers and I will be making more visits to this patisserie and picking up a croissant to go with our coffee/tea! Can every day be croissant day? You bet – especially at Mon Paris Patisserie!

Mon Paris Patisserie opens Tuesday – Saturday at 4396 Beresford, Burnaby, across from the Metrotown Skytrain Station. You can follow them on Instagram @monparis.ca although I highly recommend visiting in person for a treat instead!