Wednesday 25 / December / 2024
Whether you are waiting to catch a connecting domestic flight or all set to board an international flight for your dream holiday, one thing that you always dread is the long wait at the airport. No matter how lucrative the transit duty free shops seem, the longer the hang around time, the more stressful it is. After all, it’s exhaustive to mindlessly ramble around the kiosks and soon your aching legs and feet give in. It was the same for me at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in France few years back. I was on my way back home from a wonderful holiday and shopping was perhaps the last thing on my mind.
While waiting at the airport for my long-haul flight to Dubai-Muscat, I wanted to curl up with a delicious cuppa to keep myself energised for the next few hours. And that’s when I first walked into Paul, the world famous French bakery and patisserie. Known to be one of France’s biggest and busiest airports, Nice Airport is a delight for foodies. From the beverages of your choice to snacks and sandwiches, there are plenty of cafés, self-service restaurants as well as fine dining eateries to keep you full and satiated as long as your halt. Inside Paul it was the superfluity of French-style snacks, cakes, and bread that caught my attention.
Be it their traditional bread and baguettes, or crepes, cakes, quiches, and tarts, it was a real feast for the eyes much before it touched my palate. That was my first tryst with Paul, and I was totally bowled over by the charms of handmade bread. But more than that what amazed me was when I heard about the entire process of baking the fresh breads, which they said took more than seven hours in making and had no preservatives or any other additives. So when Paul opened in Muscat a few years back at Muscat City Centre and Muscat Grand Mall, I was thrilled over the news; the taste of the fresh breads had lingered on my palate for long.
One day when I entered their outlet at Muscat Grand Mall, with the idea of feasting on different types of breads, little did I know then that my love would change its course soon. Instead of the bread, the wide array of decadent desserts were calling me through the glass display case. I instantly fell for the French macaroons found in pistachio, vanilla, raspberry, chocolate, and other fusion flavours.
Available in vivid colours, these heavy butter cream filling is a must have for its melt-in-the-mouth experience. From the Royal Court of France where it used to be baked on special occasions to the ones now available, the macaroons continue to be the heart of French pâtisserie. I opted for the simple vanilla macaroon that was filled with vanilla and white chocolate and the crispy cappuccino macaroon filled with coffee butter cream. And then it was time for the colourful tarts. Some filled with rich, dark chocolate or with tangy lemon cream and fresh strawberry toppings, these light, flaky pastries are topped with different fruit combinations and having a slice of it in any flavours goes perfectly well with coffee. It is the sheer beauty of the fruit tarts that becomes irresistible as you see the glistening fruits nestled on top of the crust.
And for those who think desserts are never complete without chocolates, check out the chocolate rendezvous menu. From chocolate tarts and fondue, to chocolate mousse, the appeal of French desserts are too hard to resist.—[email protected]
Location:
Paul, First Floor
Muscat Grand Mall
+ 968 2200 9583
Muscat City Centre
+ 968 2455 8544
