Nicolas Arnaud delivers beautifully decorated, delightfully good and democratically priced pastries, cakes and other sweet treats that stand out as some of the very best in town.
A classically trained French pastry chef, he worked with some of Belgium's biggest names before opening shop in the fashionable Châtelain quarter of Brussels. If passing by, as I did the first time I came across this place, you'll be brought to a standstill when you glance upon the gorgeous creations showcased behind the large old-fashioned bay window. Don't be too surprised, Nicolas Arnaud is a regular at international competition and a master-crafter when it comes to decorating cakes.
Inside you'll be greeted by the smell of fresh bakes and friendly advice from staff. It is a small display space but there is a lot to choose from with a continuous to and from the neighboring kitchen. I'd recommend you dig into an éclair au chocolat or other choux pastry. I'm also quite fond of their little biscuits and meringues, perfect for coffee dipping.
Prices are of course a little higher than at your local bakery but still very reasonable when you consider what you get. For Christmas this year I ordered my 'Buche de Noel' from here and was happy to pay 33 euros for a 6 person 'Bûche Rubis' containing a light and delicate raspberry mousse, vanilla pannacotta, blackcurrent jelly and almond dacquoise. A fair price for something that looked and tasted as good as this. It was in a league of its own compared to similarly priced Bûche that I tried over the festive period.
On a practical note it is also a good address for your own personalized cakes, be it for an anniversary, marriage, or other reception - both private and professional.
A must try if you're looking for a special sweet treat. read more