Holy belly is exactly what I'll have because this place is phenomenal. Throw away what you think you know about pancakes. I know, I know, what could possibly be special about something anyone could make? Please, take a seat. Have sip of tea, because there's some truth to be spilled.
Don't worry, I get it, I was thinking the same thing. The pancake phenomenon has climbed its way up to the ranks of "staple food". Pancakes are synonymous with breakfast. From generations-old recipes to the fast food delights, I wasn't sure I was going to get anything new from Holybelly. Boy, was I wrong.
Let me first say though, if you're in a rush, this is not the place for you. For what they serve out there, which is above average, the price is worth it. Super helpful staff as well, probably the friendliest in Paris by far.
Okay, to what matters. The food!
I started with a latte. I'm not a coffee snob, but when I came to Paris for vacation, I expected coffee to be fresh like spring water. Not the case, hello self, Paris is known for wine, not coffee. But when that delightful cup sat in front of me and I took that first sip, I was transported back home to the boutique coffee shops with freshly brewed coffee. It wasn't bitter, it was nutty, the perfect medium roast, and comforting! What you expect from a latte.
I perused the menu for a bit and my eyes kept gravitating hungrily to the pancakes. I tried to fight it initially, after all Paris is crepes, what do they know about pancakes? I thought to myself arrogantly. Hunger won over irrational thinking and I ordered the Sweet Stack (11.5 Euro). These three stacks of crack is topped with hazelnut whipped cream, drizzled seductively with hazelnut and maple syrup, and scattered are seasonal fruit, in this case strawberries. Pause, by now y'all are like, this is just like IHOP. If you thought that, pancake angels are crying. The plate arrived and I was instantly wet. In my mouth.
There was this balance visually of looking perfectly browned but had just the right amount of "unevenness" in its circular shape that it felt like some gourmet, three Michelin star, super grandma had made in her palace kitchen blessed by Dominique Ansel. My fork stabbed at one of the stacks. Slight resistance told me the outside was lightly crisped. The fork continued to descend through its fluffy interior, releasing mouth-watering aromas that made me want to ugly eat this heavenly creation. I resisted the urge to bite, I needed all the components first. I slide the perfect piece of fluff as far up my fork would let me. Joining the pancake was a perfectly red, juicy strawberry. Before its final ascent into my mouth, I covered my perfect bite with the whipped cream, hazelnut, and maple syrup. No more waiting. Chomp!
For 0.5 seconds, I blacked out. I was drowning in ecstasy. This pancake flavor caressed my tongue as if to say, you've never met someone like me before have you? No, I replied promptly with slow motion bites. Not to be ignored were the freshly cut strawberries. Perfectly ripe, sweetly tart, but not sour, cutting through the richness of the cake. Joining the orgy of flavors were the cream and syrups, reminding me, that this was after all...a sweet stack. It was an assault to the senses that I would gladly let abuse me over and over again.
Basically, I loved it.
Tip: Come as soon as it opens. We did that and even then there was already a line 10 people deep. Don't despair though, once your in service is relatively quick. read more