A Very Merry Unbirthday to Me! - La Pâtisserie des Rêves - Paris, France

It's been about a week since I have arrived in Paris, and today c'est mon anniversaire! I really don't want to have another birthday yet, so let's just pretend it's an ordinary day thats special? For once I feel no need for all the bells and whistles, I want to do something simple, beautiful and perfect. After much thought, I head to my  chosen patisserie for this un special day, grab a few treats fit for a queen and head to Jardin du Luxembourg.

Strawberry tart - €39

This is the quintessential modern day patisserie, it's like someting out of the Jetsons. I love it! and it's so hygenic.. yes I am a germaphobe :/

So many choices, so little stomach space. Today is un special so I will choose something just for that.

Orange cake - €3.10

Raspberry and matcha tea cake - €3.10

Saint-Honore - €39

Paris brest - €37

Viennoiseries - Brioche!

Apple turnovers and Kouign Amann

Paris brest - €5.90 and Saint-Honore - €6.90

My first (let's not say it) in Paris, I decided to go with the french classics. I'll start with the paris brest, my first bite was like a praline punch to the face but a light and airy one, every mouthful was a flavour explosion. 

Moving onto the Saint-Honore, layers of puff pastry, light choux pastry, caramel and cream. What a delight, such a beautiful dessert, this is my new favourite thing to eat.. like seriously. 

Jardin du Luxembourg

Today has been absolute bliss and I couldn't be happier, things seem to be going in the right direction for a change. I asked for great weather, a beautiful location, a handsome date, delectable pastries and you know what? I got it all. 

I look forward to a new chapter in my life. I only wish I had a full sized kitchen to turn out some recipes. Until then I can only share purchased items going into my belly.

Have a very merry unbirthday wherever you are!

Check them out [here] or [MAP]

Betty Jane x

Deux Amis Patisserie - Sinsa-dong, Seoul, South Korea

Cake day!

On the walk from the station I crossed numerous patisseries that made my mouth water. However I was determined to stick to my guns and head on over to Deux Amis. 

Some of the cakes and tarts on offer at Deux Amis.

Green tea cake with yuzu cream - 6,500 won

My cake of choice was extremely disappointing. Three layers of dry green tea cake and yuzu cream, with half a layer of azuki bean paste. I'm pretty sure you can tell how dry the cake is by this photo. 

It could have just been my poor choice of cake, though it is a patisserie and nothing on offer should be at this low a standard.

Anyway if you want to check them out [MAP]

Betty Jane x

Looks Can Be Deceiving - Decoa Balim - Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea

I walked past this vintage dessert cafe and instantly thought to myself "what a sweet little cafe, I must try!".

As I walked through the door the owner was taking photos of this gorgeous layer cake, I smiled and thought "this place is perfect!". 

What caught my eye was this sweet little number behind the glass window, the strawberry cheese tart. 

It all went downhill from there.

Strawberry cheese tart

Looks can be deceiving, I was not expecting this tart to taste the way it did.

The tart was filled with whipped cream cheese, which I had never had before nor will I ever have again. I was not a fan of the taste and texture of the filling, the more I ate the more sickened I felt. 

If only they had filled the tart with creme patissiere it would have been a total knock out. The tart shell on the other hand I cannot fault, it was nicely cooked and crumbly.

Cafe latte, Iced mocha and strawberry cheese tart.

This is probably the worst latte I have had on my trip to Seoul. As I was sipping on my latte I noticed something nasty in my mouth, it was burnt milk film! There is nothing worse than burnt milk while having my daily coffee.

The iced mocha, had about five ice cubes in it, so it wasn't even cold. We were sitting outside so it just melted and diluted the mocha. 

You can tell how  disappointed in this place I am right? I had such high hopes.

The exterior

From a glance you would think it looks all vintage and shabby. When I actually sat down and looked around, I realised it was just a hodge podge of mismatched old furniture salvaged from a yard sale.

Nothing vintage about this place, random junk lying around and bad coffee!

Seoul seems to have a huge coffee culture, everywhere you turn there is a cafe, finding a good one on the other hand seems to be a mission. I thought I was going to hit a new spot everyday and drink loads of great coffee. 

To my demise I have only been to a handful of decent cafes.

If you'd like to try your luck at dessert roulette, 

check them out [here]

Betty Jane x

Monster Cupcakes - Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

I'm not one to rave about cupcakes, well I have never had a cupcake that has ticked all the boxes, always too sweet or too dry. That was until I found Monster Cupcakes in Itaewon, this place was the bomb!!

I came here mainly for the theme, my love for monsters, getting to eat them was a bonus. The shop is quite small and only has seating for about six people, and they only offer drip coffee so don't go expecting a cafe style shop.

So many choices, what to choose?..

Vanilla Jack Skellington cupcakes & chocolate mint monsters - 

All cupcakes are 5,000 won.

I ended up going with the R.I.P tiramisu & the lemon eyeball, the owner reccommended these as they are some of the best sellers. 

The cake was moist and fluffy, the cream was sooo good minus a tonne of sugar and the flavours tasted as described. The perfect cupcakes, now I wish I had bought a box to take home. 

Cute collectables on display, isn't this the most perfect E.T figurine you have ever seen?

Some more monsters and err Pooh bear?..

Make sure you go to the sweet little shop.

Check them out [here] or [MAP]

305-7 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 140-200, South Korea

Betty Jane x