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Canele…read moreGateau Basque
One of several locations in a growing chain of patisseries known predominantly for their copper molded caneles, it was late afternoon when a visit was made to La Toque Cuivree in Le Bouscat, the custard cakes even better than those at Baillardran with a tariff far less steep.
Far more modest than the boutique from a night before, simple glass cases containing the goods with a large baking area tucked in back, service at La Toque Cuivree was no less pleasant than the young woman at Baillardran and with a few full sized cakes offered in addition to Bordeaux's signature pastry the total cost of my order was still just under €10, a sizable Gateau Basque joining the sort of "six pack" of which those of us living in American can only dream.
Requesting the freshest canele possible, all six plucked from a cooling rack instead of from the case, it was immediately on returning to the car that first bites were taken and with interiors still warm while the golden shell offered a soft crackle the results were across-the-board excellent, a light tinge of rum rising on the palate just as the sweetness began to dissipate.
Savoring the first before inhaling two more, the rest saved for later and nearly as good even after they'd been allowed to cool, there was obviously no way that a whole Gateau Basque was going to be finished by just one person during a day featuring two Michelin Starred meals plus breakfast and chocolates, yet try as I might to resist the soft notes of butter cake atop pastry cream proved quite compelling, more than two-thirds eaten before the rest was repackaged and placed in the trunk...out of sight, though certainly not out of mind.
