Pow! A Tea-Salon tucked away in the quiet corner of an otherwise upscale arcade where fashion plates strut through galleries of labels like they are real life mannequins. What a lovely surprise in the decor, as the walls of shimmering blackness supported by shelves of freshly baked bread. A jewel-case like structure fronted the counter with delicate looking pastries and desserts showing off their artistic uniqueness, awaiting their futures to be selected by us. A long time favorite at Openrice since opening, I myself have long forgotten to review this place even though it's been a favorite for quite some time.
Unlike Antique's pretentious setting of a Tea-Garden with patio furniture, Le Salon creates a more comfortable ambience with seating that invite you to sit and take you coffee (and time). Selections are vast, and it does take a few experimental attempts before you find your favorites. Croissants are the best here -- Warm from the oven with its multiple layers of flakiness unfold before each bite. The crispy outside uncovers the pillowy softness within, as the fragrant butter lingers in you after each bite, yearning for a bigger and deeper embrace from you. ALMOND CROISSANT may be a little too sweet for my taste, but the flaked almonds on the top tasted almost like croquant, with a deep caramel taste joining a snow-flaked sprinkle of icing sugar. PAIN AU CHOCOLAT retains its buttery exterior, as the fluid molten filling is almost too much of an indulgence as breakfast, or any treat at all.
Danishes are just as lovely, as little squares of buttery dough surrounds delicate fruits, lightly glazed like gems placed on brown suede. DARK CHERRY DANISH is a bestseller, as the cherries are sweet without the cloyingness or any resemblance of cough syrup or anything artificially created. GRAPEFRUIT DANISH is surprisingly light as the fruit's tartness cuts through the creamy buttery dough like nothing I have tasted before. There are also APRICOTS and PEARS in the Danish section as well. Fruit Tarts are supremely created like a miniature work of art. TARTE AU CITRON remains a favorite, and a French classic. A shortbread crust has crumbs so soft and open that any baker will give a thumb-up. The lemon filling may be cool through due to the chilling, but the texture is just as fine as a lemon curd delivers a sweet-tart two-punch that challenges your tastebuds to take another bite, and another bite...until the experience comes to the finish. L'EXOTIQUE is a different take on the popular combination with white chocolate and passion fruit. The elements compliment each other but white chocolate's sweetness tend to stand out a little more than the fruit component here.
There are choices to be made, depending on the time and appetite and mood for respective customers. Le Salon also serves up good quality beverages to go with your bakery orders that also include finger sandwiches, miniature lemon pound cake and financiers. Despite everything so top-of-the-line, I wouldn't recommend the Macaroons, as they tend to be rather dull in matters of flavour and texture. (I suggest LGB's texture and Jean Paul Hevin's experimental flavour combinations). With comfortable seating and a popular spot for quick lunch and afternoon tea, especially on the weekends. I urge our dear readers will dare to take a different turn while browsing through this arcade, as you experience a completely different form of fashion -- where the new are invented and classics revived into the joy of food appreciation
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