What: Paris-Brest
Where: Paul Lafayet, K11, TST
Cost: $30-40?
Yumminess: ***/*****
Around a week before trying this, I've had the so-called Paris Brest from coco frans at the TST MTR station. I know what they sell is nothing like the real Paris-Brest, but it was satisfying nevertheless (like a giant cream puff with more custard to choux pastry ratio than normal). A week later, I bought a Paris-Brest from Paul Lafayet. The pastry was quite hefty, which was evidence of the density of the hazelnut buttercream which filled up the centre of the 2-ring-sandwich. Its diameter was around the same as the coco frans Paris Brest (4-5 inches-ish), but their satisfaction level was worlds apart. After finishing the one from coco frans, I was left wanting more (or just satisfied...my sweet tooth is insatiable lol). On the other hand, only HALF of this one from Paul Lafayet was starting to feel enough. For someone with an insatiable sweet tooth...that's amazing (for your reference, I can finish an entire 6" cake on my own).
Look at how thick the buttercream is!! In fact, I ate this with a FORK. No spoon needed. There was some point when I just ate the buttercream alone, without the pastry, with a FORK. It was that thick. As should be the case, the buttercream had an oily mouthfeel, especially towards the end as it started to get melty. And as it was hazelnut flavoured, it kind of tasted like the stuff in Kinder Buenos, except much much thicker, way more nutty, and way less sweet (although still very sweet).
I was amazed that I managed to finish the whole thing in one sitting. Needless to say, I skipped dinner that night.
My next target was Saveur de France's Paris-Brest...but I heard they closed down. :( What a shame, as it was the only place I knew which sold authentic homey French pastries (like tarte au flan!).
