LA BELLE MIETTE: Melbourne is dotted with macaroon stores everywhere, and La Belle Miette is arguably one of the most popular, competing neck and neck with Ladurée (renowned macaroon patisserie from France). The one we went to is right next to La Petite Crêperie down the famous little stretch that is Hardware Lane. For a French Food Fix you’ve got all that you could have in this cosy area!
The interior is very clean and cute, and the vast variety of macaroon flavours is simply a wonder to behold. Featuring special event flavours such as Watermelon Yoghurt and Raspberry Caramel for Valentine’s Day, as well as Panna Cotta Mango for Chinese New Year, the array of light macaroon colours were arranged delightfully inside the glass cabinet. The classic flavours of Salted Caramel and Pistachio are the most popular, but we opted for something a little bit different, trying the Lychee.
Lychee Macaroon – $2.8
The good fat: The concentrated flavour of the almond cutting through the sweetness was amazing. Having tried macaroons in France, I would have to say that the tasty nuttiness of the almond here was just as good, if not better. The outside was crunchy, breaking beautifully and the inside was soft and sticky – the perfect texture for macaroons.
The bad fat: A little bit disappointed in the lychee flavour. Fruit flavours are usually quite hard to get right, but the attendant reassured us that the lychee here was a lot fruitier and authentic than other places. However, it was mostly just sweet sugary flavouring with no hint of lychee 😦 The macaroon itself was also a lot sweeter than I usually prefer, but I suspect that was partly due to the lychee flavouring.
Fat-o-meter: 3.5/5
Should you get fat here?
YES! I would go again for the lovely almondy-ness but don’t get the fruit flavours! (They also sell ice-cream and tea)
FAT-O-METER: 3.5/5
