There is an unfortunate perception of the French – rooted, yes, a bit in fact – of being a bit chauvinistic. There is an idea that they don’t like the food, wine, culture, or even people of other countries. And while I can’t really speak to much of that – it’s a stereotype linked to generations that are not my own – I can speak to the food portion.
The French have, in the past, resisted the food from elsewhere, and particularly Anglo-Saxon food, which has been perceived by the French as being… um… pretty bad. And I get it. They think all Americans are eating McDonald’s, and all Brits boil the heck out of their meat. But whether that was true before is irrelevant: it’s not true anymore, and the French are embracing Anglo-Saxon cuisine. (Perhaps, given the plethora of burgers on Paris’ culinary landscape, a bit more than I’d like.)
Rose Bakery is the perfect example of this changing trend.
Rose Bakery first opened in Paris in 2002, a British-style tearoom complete with scones, tea cakes, and loads of vegetarian options. Today, it’s still a stalwart of the foodie-focused rue des Martyrs.
I’ll be honest: it was hard to make a decision here. There’s a massive buffet of tasty cooked salads (think Erewhon) as well as baked goods like tarts, quiches, cakes, cookies, and more. Ultimately, being in an English spot, an English classic was the obvious choice: this cheddar-chive scone was pretty good, but it was a teeny bit dry… and ultimately did not stand up to the other two selections.
First up, this quiche, which may well have changed my mind on quiches, which I usually find watery (and also, I often find they don’t use great pastry). This one surprised me on both counts. Not only is that pastry super buttery, but this is one heavy quiche, packed to the brim with veggies and salmon. No room for water here.
That is seriously salmony, folks.
But my favorite thing? The cake in the header image. Holy heck.
I’m not usually one for rose-flavored desserts – I think they can be overpowering – but it seemed insane not to try it, given the name of the bakery, and I’m so glad I did.
This is the butteriest, densest cake out there, scented with rose and citrus. It’s perfectly balanced, with a relatively sweet cake and a nice kick of acidity in that pink icing on top.
I’ve read some reviews of this bakery that claim that the service isn’t great or that the food is overpriced for what it is. I didn’t try the salads, so I can’t comment on that, but we were served quickly and efficiently, and while not a bargain, given the quality, I’d say you definitely get what you pay for, here.
Rose Bakery – 46 Rue des Martyrs, 75009Â