Neverending Stohrer: Coffee Eclairs and More at the Famous Patisserie Stohrer, Paris
Friday, March 5, 2010 
So, let me start out by saying that if a pâtisserie has been around since the 1730s, clearly they are doing something right.
That having been said, it's time to talk about Stohrer, which, to the best of my research, is the oldest continually run pâtisserie in Paris. First, a bit of history (translated from their site):
When Mary Leszczynski, daughter of King Stanislas of Poland, married in 1725 King Louis XV's pastry Stohrer followed at the court of Versailles. Five years later, in 1730, Nicolas Stohrer opened his bakery in Paris at 51 rue Montorgueil.
Nicolas Stohrer served his apprenticeship in Wissembourg in the kitchens of King Stanislas of Poland With a dry cake that the Polish King Stanislas had reported a trip, Nicolas Stohrer invented the Baba, made from enriched brioche dough which is basted with wine and finished with saffron and custard, raisins and fresh grapes. King Stanislas, when reading the tales of Thousand and One Nights, christened the new cake the ALI-BABA.
(CakeSpy Note: You know what that last part means? This is the place that invented the baba au rhum. Glorious!)
I know, magical, right? You're probably already enchanted, and you haven't even walked into the shop. Staggeringly, the shop itself is just as storied:
The shop is a historical monument in its facade and interiors. The murals illustrate the reputation of the house with a woman wearing and Babas Savarin, made on canvas and protected by glass. These designs were created in 1860 by the painter Paul Baudry, who also executed the decorations of the grand foyer of the Opera de Paris.
and it is beautiful. It has such beautiful detailing that it is hard to believe it is not an outpost of the opulent Versailles palace.
So it has history, and it has a beautiful interior. But what about the goods?
Let me first say that trying to decide what to get at Stohrer is sort of like trying to decide on a favorite child or sibling.
On previous visits, I've tried the religieuse and the tarte au chocolat. They were both exceptional.
But on this visit, when I saw the magazine article outside proclaiming that Stohrer was the home of some of the best eclairs in town, that sealed the deal. Bucking tradition slightly, I chose a cafe flavored variation rather than the classic chocolate (perhaps feeling homesick for Seattle?).
So, I don't want to sound overly dramatic, but this eclair was, in a word, exquisite. The perfectly piped pastry shell contained the most creamy coffee-toned pastry cream I'd ever encountered, and the icing on top was the perfect sweet complement to that coffee-rich, not too-sweet filling. "Perfect" may not be the final word, but it does come to mind.
Of course, you'd be remiss if you didn't explore some of their other offerings--perhaps the signature Baba au Rhum, a treat which "has survived the centuries without modification, it is still very popular in many countries. At Stohrer, you can find four versions: the classic Baba Rhum; the Ali-Baba, which has pastry cream and raisins; the Baba Chantilly, sometimes served with red fruit; and the Saffron Ali Baba, original saffron, made to order for the holidays? Or perhaps the over-the top cake version of the religiuse, the Religiuse a L'ancienne, another traditional recipe, as it was made in the 19th century, a cake made of coffee and chocolate and topped with two balls of choux pastry which are said to be where the pastry takes its name, resembling a nun's habit.
But no matter what you choose, making Stohrer a stop on your Parisian adventure is absolutely as vital as visiting the Louvre or the Notre Dame!
Patisserie Stohrer, 51, rue Montorgueil, Paris 75002; online at stohrer.fr.
Reader Comments (5)
Coffee eclairs are my absolutely favorite. Luckily I've found a place out here in Los Angeles that sells them too. DELICIOUS.
Those eclairs look to die for. As does everything else. So glad you had fun eating your way through Paris! What an awesome trip!
justJENN:
Where is the place in Los Angeles that has the coffee eclairs? I'm a recent transplant with a craving. There's this guy in back in New York, Claude's Patisserie on west 4th street between 6th and 7th, very fond memories growing up there, I think that he retired but passed on the recipes to his sucessor, and the eclairs, esp. the coffee ones: amazing.
With the development of tecnology and economy, more and more people tend to pay more attention to their body. They want to
have better shape and healthier body. Here, I will introduce a good program to you—p90x price. from America.p90x price is classic training DVD
which covers all manner of fitness methods. It include 13 p90x price and
beachbody complete training for 90 days. Please image that you will hve your dreamed body and shape in 90 days.There are also
many other fasion sports included in p90x. they are waiting for you to find.
How can you learning languages without Rosetta Stone Spanish dvd. Here, I am
not point the real stone in British Museum. The real rosetta stone is a stone that has Greek, Egyptian script and the words
popular during that time.If you want to learn another language to improve yourself, you can choose this useful software
Rosetta Stone Spanish dvd to enhance your level of languages.
itunes gift card,itunes code
P90x extreme home fitness program
Rosetta Stone Latin America DVD
use itunes gift card best buy
annahappy
babylady
annahappy
An excenlent watch can make you feel good, and that may improve your grade. A successfui businessman must have one kind of
watch to show his special quality. for a lady the watch also can attract many eyes. that is a amazing feeling for owning a
watch. these watches are selected for all kinds of people. you can get your favorite watch freely.
mens watches
breitling navitimer
rolex datejust
breitling crosswind
panerai watches
bvlgari watches
hublot watches
iwc watches
panerai luminor
burberry watches
breitling
panerai watches
hublot watches
omega seamaster
rolex submariner
rolex daytona
watches