16 December 2014

Le Petit Gateau

Review December 16, 2014 0

There are a few things in life that gets my heart racing, and Le Petit Gateau is somewhere in the list. Writing about Le Petit Gateau is something I've been struggling with for a while. On the plus side, it has the best cakes I've ever eaten in both Singapore and Melbourne - by far. There's nothing else that comes remotely close (Flor Pâti- wha?.) But on the minus side, it's popular enough as it is and I don't need(!) the extra competition by telling you guys all about it. But tis the season to share, as people say. And so in the spirit of Christmas, I've dredged up all that's warm in my cold, cynical heart and decided to share with you all about my favourite dessert shop.

Perhaps their signature cake is their Brownie and Passionfruit Chocolate Gâteau (Individual slice:$9.30, Small: $37, Large $50.50). It has a brownie with crunchy praline base, a layer of passionfuit curd and chocolate mousse. It's easily one of the most delicious cake I have ever eaten in my life. And I've eaten my fair share of delicious cakes. Over the last two years, we ordered the large version of this cake several times, and for no special occasion at all (Happy 23th November!). This is the cake I insist every person I bring to Le Petite Gateau have to try, and no one's ever been disappointed before. Even Miss XS, who hates chocolate with a passion (HA pun intended), loved this cake. When my friends and I were on our way to Les Misérables, we passed by Le Petit Gateau on our way to the theatre and I insisted we have to buy an entire cake to eat. It's only after persuading me that the cake will melt in the heat, and with numerous promises to come back immediately after the musical, did they manage to pry my hand away from the handle of the door.

Another winner is their Crisp Lemon Tart (Individual tart:$7.30, Large: $45. It's a little strange as 'Small' is listed unavailable in their website.) The curd is tart and the tender base gives every forkful a nice contrasting texture with the smooth curd.

Another cake that I enjoy is Mister Green Tea. I first had it when I celebrated my birthday with my cousins, and it's pretty delicious as well. On a recent visit with a friend, however, we ordered this cake and she found it too sweet for her liking.

It flopped over when I cut myself a slice, proving that I most probably shouldn't be in the service industry

On yet another birthday, we had their Hazelnut Praline Mud Cake (Small: $37 Large: $50.50). While on first taste neither Miss XS nor I enjoyed the rich, nutty, chocolatey flavour, we slowly grew to appreciate its chocolate profile. I admit, when we finally polished off the entire large cake just by the two of us (whew! It was no mean feat), I admit I grew attached to eating a slice as part of my mid-morning routine. And post-lunch as well. And mid-afternoon tea break. And then after dinner.

One cake that we tried to love was their Cosmopolitan, which was a white chocolate cheesecake and carrot cake. It was good, but the others were in a totally different league.

The Peanut Jelly Cake was pretty good too, and from the numerous reviews online, seem quite popular.

Because I have the attention span of a goldfish, I am only now elaborating on the minus side:

1) Le Petit Gateau is very popular, and their cakes sell out fast. When my friend and I rushed from Hopetoun Tea Room to Le Petit Gateau at 4.30pm (they close at 5pm), they were all sold out of Brownie and Passionfruit Chocolate Gâteau.

2) On one occasion, Miss XS rushed all the way to the city just to get a cake. She was 5 minutes shy of the 5pm deadline, and the place was locked and was not receiving any new customers. Like all things French, Le Petit Gateau takes their vacation sérieusement. This could be why the simile "as industrious as a Frenchman" has fallen into disuse.

3) A slice of cake ($9.30) is pricey even by Melbourne's standards. I usually buy a whole cake, which at $50.50 is much more affordable per slice. (Yes, purchasing perishable goods in greater quantities to save money is a recurrent financial principle you might see here often.)

Well, that's it! The entire list of pros and cons. And in spite of the cons, it makes my favourite cakes of both continents. And hopefully when this review joins all the other reviews on Urbanspoon praising Le Petit Gateau to high heavens, its popularity wouldn't affect me too adversely. But if one day you see a cold figure standing outside the shop waiting for a table, do cut him some slack, and let him order before you.