Recently Cedric Grolet - 2.3M Instagram followers and named the worlds best pastry chef in 2018 opened
his first outlet outside of Paris at The Berkeley Hotel .
The media fluttered and I thought I‘d take nosey round to find out why in Paris, folk queue round the block to buy Cedric Goodies.
I hope you‘ll join me, particularly if you love cakes and carbs as much as I do......
Greeted by the faint smell of baking and a friendly face I‘m ushered through the luxurious 70’s cafe style lounge. Curvy seats hug the walls, topped off and framed with groovy lighting.
It's just the right side of busy.
I noticed Pastry Chefs working in an open plan kitchen creating a theatre like experience - I am now hooked and ask for a seat with a view.
I enquired about the menu and l’m led to the cake selection, housed under glass domes they resemble museum pieces, perfectly replicating fruits and flowers .
Each cake has a story explained to me by my friendly waitress, along with preferences and recommendations.
I decide on the "Special" - Pain Suisse to become my breakfast .
I never eat cake before noon . . .
This ”pimped up” version of a pain au chocolate is a generous pastry that could have easily been shared. However, once tasted I realised that is unlikely to happen .
Delicately layered with a ridiculously satisfying crunch, and scrumptious chocolate centre , this pastry packed a punch .
I savoured every mouthful of the £9.00 ‘Special’.
After eating every last flake of pastry that fell from my mouth on to the beautiful black flower plate I washed it down with an English Breakfast Tea .
Would I go back ?
Hell yes - I want a CAKE .
Be in no doubt this is a luxury experience - I recommend it for a treat .
Or if you are wealthy and healthy just go for it - as often as you fancy
Cedric could even be the place you choose to book for tea and cakes instead of traditional afternoon tea .
You might choose to try the 5 or 7 course menu .
I felt comfortable going it alone at the Hotel, staff were welcoming and I appreciated that I was not rushed out of my seat . I happily sat watching the chefs at work as the buses rolled past in the Spring Sunshine.
Unmissable an extra note for you - be sure you visit the loo whilst you are here for a selfie.
Even Cedric has posted one on his Instagram.
The washrooms rate as one of the most glamorous in London and could even have their own “bogpost” - sorry blog post !
I only went in to take a look and ended up
staying !
l have joined the
2.3M followers on Instagram
I am now one of those fans who will happily queue for Cedric G goodies .
So in answer to the question -
Yes - from this visit it appears to me that Cedric really is worthy of all the hype.
You can find Cedric on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cedricgrolet/
You can book a table at The Berkley here
https://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/restaurants-bars/cedric-grolet-at-the-berkeley/
You can discover the History of the Croissant and a Cedric Croissant Recipe
/https://myfrenchcountryhomemagazine.com/history-of-the-croissant/
You can find Cedric in the Worlds Best Restaurant Awards 2018 https://www.eater.com/worlds-50-best-restaurants-awards/2018/6/19/17475404/worlds-50-best-restaurants-2018-list-winners
You can see how Cedric managed his selfie here -
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ-HdhJrtA1/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
