Everyone’s raving about Edmonton’s newest culinary offering, Duchess Bake Shop, at 10720 – 124th Street. All I have to say is, thank you Garner Beggs and Giselle Courteau for blessing us with your craft. Macarons in Edmonton? Mon Dieux! I havent been this happy since my first macaron experience in Paris this past summer. First things first: the word is macaron, not macaroon. The two are as different as cupcakes and pies. A macaron is a loonie-sized, almond flour sandwich-cookie with a creamy filling, and a macaroon is a chewy coconut confection.
My only other macaron experience was at the famed Parisienne bake shop, Laduree’s, so I was curious to see how the Duchess macarons tasted in comparison. A tough experiment, I know. It reminds me of a cupcake assignment I had a couple of years ago–and one I’m still paying for– but these are macarons for heaven’s sake. I couldn’t say no.
We arrived at 3 pm on a Saturday. Oh oh. About 1000 people had arrived before us and the shelves were nearly empty. We took the empty shelves, however, as a good sign. The second good sign was Garner, the owner, who looks like he’s a Parisienne lost in Edmonton with his 1940s adorable tousled hairstyle and black and white striped apron. Tres chic. To our surprise, Garner told us that Tokyo–where his wife and he have lived for the past four years–is bigger on macarons than Paris is. Interesting.
We bought what we could: two each of the lemon, pistachio and chocolate macarons. And a pumpkin pie, and a couple of madeleines, oh…and some butter tarts. It was hard to stop just with the macarons.
The results: at first bite, the chocolate macaron offered a tad too much resistance…memories of Laduree’s delicate, soft little pillows have been forever imprinted in my brain. But the wickedly creamy chocolate filling made up for the chew. Wow.
The pistachio macarons were delicious, but a little light on flavour. Maybe the chocolate was lingering longer than it should have in a taste test. But that’s okay. The texture was allllmost there.
The lemon. Oh, the lemon macarons…yes, yes, yes! Look out Laduree, you’ve got company.
As far as butter tarts go, it’s time to step up, Grandmas, because Giselle and Garner are going to give you a run for your money. The rich and flaky pastry holds the gooey filling without falling apart, and they were just-the-right-sweet, not the overly-sweet-kind-of-sweet that makes your teeth ache. 
The pumpkin pie got me off the hook for Thanksgiving dinner and I’ll buy one from the Duchess for any holiday in the future. The madeleine? Wow. The slight hint of lavender transported me right back to Provence.
Duchess, I think you’re going to have some very loyal subjects. Consider me smitten, and welcome to Edmonton.
We will have to go and buy some! We spent time trying different macarons in Paris in May. They are all the rage. Thanks for the tip.
What a great review! I’ve been to Duchess Bake Shop a number of times but still haven’t got there in time for macarons (they’ve always been sold out).
Twyla!
Missed you at the meeting Sunday – we need you! I am heading out to Duchess this pm for a photo appointment I made with Giselle in her kithcen and will be excited to post that. More importantly, I want to learn how to make these myself? Do you? Interested in teaming up with whoever else wants to learn, and try? Giselle has offered to help me accomplish this. XO Miss you!
Valerie
thanks for stopping by everyone. I am having a major Duchess craving…have yet to find macarons here on Vancouver Island while I`m taking care of my niece and nephew. Hmmm…maybe Steve could courier some out!