Classic Meets Hip at the Macaron Parlour: Nutella, Rocky Road, Salt Caramel, and S'Mores Macarons

The thing I love the most about Macaron Parlour is their distinctly American twist on the most classic of French classics, the Parisian macaron.  Without sacrificing the incredibly refined and delicate texture of the macaron, Christina Ha and Simon Tung create flavors that would hopefully thrill but just might shock the bakers at Laduree, one of my favorite patisseries in Paris that has been making these light, crispy delicacies since the 1860’s.

Ha studied pastry making at the Atelier Pierre Herme de Formation a la Haute Patisserie in Paris, and Tung “always had a soft spot for sweets and loves being in the kitchen.”  Together, they maintain the beautiful, soft, pastel colors of the traditional macarons, and even some of the flavors, like salt caramel and vanilla.  But many of their flavors pull from the American palate, including Peanut Butter Cup, Rocky Road, and S’Mores.  The Asian-American influence is really wonderful too in their Thai Chili and Matcha flavored macarons.

And then there’s the Candied Bacon with Maple Cream Cheese macaron, a perfect combination of maple sugar with a hint of savory bacon.  It’s like a tiny bite of Sunday brunch.

As I wrote yesterday, Macaron Parlour was one of the delightful stops on our “Sugar Fest” this past weekend.  Pick up all the flavors at the Hester Street Fair every weekend, or place your order on the Macaron Parlour’s Etsy shop.

Vive Le Macaron Franco-Americain!

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Tamarack Hollow Farm at the Columbus Avenue Greenmarket.  I thought this photo would be inspirational for brunch with friends on a chilly winter Sunday.

Win these chocolates!!

Win these chocolates!!

We’re poised to launch our newsletter about the markets of New York City: Market Swatch! Fill in the form to your right, and you will be entered to win a box of six hand-made rose chocolates from Roni-Sue’s Chocolates at the Essex Street Market.  (Don’t fret if you have already subscribed to the newsletter!  You are automatically entered into the random drawing.)

Market Swatch will include in-depth information about New York’s markets and the people and products that make them so wonderful.  It will let you know about market specials, featured market businesses and products, holiday ideas, special offers, and much more!

And now, back to the chocolates!  To kick off Valentine’s Week, I wanted to let you know about the wonderful rose bon-bons from Roni-Sue Chocolates at the Essex Street Market.  The winner of this drawing will receive a box of six of “Roni’s Roses” in two different flavors:

-       Red Rose:  Callebaut dark chocolate ganache topped with an edible fresh-dried rose petal

-       White Rose: Molded dark chocolate rose bon-bon with a white chocolate ganache filling.

But there’s a lot more to these chocolates.  From Roni-Sue:  “Before I opened my shop I worked for many years for the Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  In honor of V-Day [and the national campaign of the same name to bring awareness of D/V, spear-headed by Eve Ensler] I donate a portion of the sale of my dozen box of “Roni’s Roses” to the agency where I used to work to help them provide phone cards so victims can safely make phone calls to access essential services from the hot-line, etc.”

The random drawing will take place on Wednesday, February 10th at 3:00 PM, and the winner will be notified via email.  This is a quick one, so subscribe to Market Swatch today!!  (This offer is for US and Canada only, but I’ll make it up to you somehow in Brazil and France!)

For many more delectable and beautiful handmade confections, including her bacon candy line, visit Roni-Sue’s Chocolates at the Essex Street Market, 120 Essex Street (at Delancey Street) in the Lower East Side.

For more Valentine’s Day Specials this week, follow Markets of New York City on Facebook and Twitter!