Sweet Opera

Despite competition from Big Chill and Sugar & Spice,L’Opera does attract passersby with its assortment of breads,pastries,tarts and a huge mountain of macaroons stacked in

the window.

Upon entering the seven-cover bakery we are greeted by the sound of the French opera and smiling faces at the counter. We begin with raspberry macaroons (Rs 130 per piece). The meringue-like cookies,supposed to be the aristocracy of pastries,look slightly smaller than usual. The first bite should have been a winning combination of sweet and sour raspberry cream with a layer of crisp ganache,but what we got instead was tasteless biscuit with sour raspberry cream. The chocolate macaroon is better,but only slightly.

Even so,all the happiness lies in

the pastries. Stella (Rs 250) is a clear winner. With a huge blob of meringue mixed with white chocolate on a short bread crust and a chocolate slab on top,it looks like a million bucks and melts in the mouth. It is not too sweet and has a smooth consistency.

The signature pastry,

L’Opera (Rs 170),with the words iced on top,is for those who love bitter chocolate; its bitterness is just right. But it’s the lemon tart (Rs 190) that takes the cake. Even for those who are not particularly fond of desserts that are remotely related to lemon,this one is positively scrumptious,with candied lemon peel and lemon curd on a short-bread crust and a hint of almond. The cheaper section of Viennese pastries,that has croissants (Rs 65),French hearts (Rs 75) and financiers (Rs 75),is also interesting. They are alright but not as good as the pastries. Cakes are priced at an exorbitant Rs 1,400-2,700 per kg. However,L’Opera is one of the better gourmet bakeries in Delhi.

Meal for Two: Rs 2,000

Address: L’Opera,Khan Market

Contact: 47322883