Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon @ Taipei

Joël Robuchon is a name within the culinary scene which does not require much introduction. His line of restaurants, many of which of michelin-starred calibre is often regarded as the epitome of French haute cuisine. It it seems almost befitting to find him anchored in Bellavita, a shopping arcade right in the heart of the Xin Yi District, the prime shopping belt in Taipei. Despite having only 6 floors and obviously dwarfed by the neighbouring Taipei 101, Bellavita stood out prominently amidst the surrounding skyscrapers with its Edwardian architectural style. Dotted with exquisitely designed cafes and fine dining restaurants, its a common sight to find madame moseilles aka “tai tais” all dolled up in haute couture enjoying afternoon tea amidst alikened company. No wonder this place is known as 貴婦百貨 in Taiwanese. And indeed JR has found himself two establishments in Bellavita – Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. Donned in only bermudas and polos, we are obviously too shabbily dressed for the main restaurant. So it was to the tea salon to pick up some of their pastry creations.

Located on the 3rd Floor, one could immediately notice the striking difference in the ambience and atmosphere of this place compared to Sadaharu Aoki’s dessert boutique just downstairs at B2. Red and Black are the main colour theme here, sensual, alluring and mysterious I must say. Very captivating. As one steps in, one would be overwhelmed by an array of “goodies” which this tea salon serves, from an assortment of breads, mignardises and pastries. A feast for the eyes before the actual tasting commence.

The chilled display in clear glass. Everything is arranged with precision, simplicity with class.

A selection of freshly baked breads like baguette and broiche, together with other viennoiseries like croissants, pain au chocolat, danois a la peches etc.

Sugar art on display. Striking red rose standing out from the black…

Another sugar work display piece. They are for sale by the way. Though I’m not entirely sure when anyone would buy them…

Macaron flavours available for the day in a glance…

A beautifully baked Kugelkopf. Stand close enough and you can even smell it!

Inside the display, some pastries and petit gateaus for the day… which shall I bring back with me….

More macarons….orange, framboise, citron, caramel sale, chocolat noir…tough decisions to make….

Alas we went back not once, but twice to pick up pieces to brought back, not forgetting Sadaharu Aoki downstairs of course. 🙂

Tarte au Citron

Mille-feuille à la framboise

Dome Au Caramel et à l’armagnac

Tarte au Chocolat

Mont-Blanc

Tarte Chocolat-Caramel

Lemonmisu

Mille-feuille au Praline de Sesame

Crème brûlée