Dominique Ansel, creator of the internet sensation the cronut, a croissant and doughnut hybrid, has opene the doors to his first London bakery. Home to several of Dominique’s famous creations, including the DKA, The Cookie Shot, Frozen S’mores and of course the Cronut, the new bakery also features a collection of items exclusive to the UK.
Dominique Ansel grew up in the North of Paris, and spent seven years at the esteemed French Bakery, Fauchon, and six years as Executive Pastry Chef at Daniel Boulud’s flagship French restaurant before setting out on his own venture. London will be Dominique’s fourth launch since opening the popular Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York in 2011, following the opening of the Dominique Ansel Kitchen, also in New York, and a bakery in Tokyo.
Dominique and his team bring the French and New York Flavour to the new bakery at 17-21 Elizabeth Street, London, SW1W 9RP, near Victoria. An array of stunning, delicious creations from sweet treats such as the Cronut, the most viral dessert item ever, to savoury snacks like the welsh rarebit croissant with beer béchamel or Croque Monsieur, are on offer daily.
We got to go along to the launch evening to find out a bit more about this highly anticipated opening.
Larger than the New York Bakery, Dominique’s new London spot is beautiful inside, very contemporary, white throughout, with an open patisserie kitchen so you can watch the chefs at work. There is also a charming outdoor area, decorated with fairy lights, with additional seating which is perfect for the darker evenings this Autumn and Winter.
Each of the creations we tasted were exquisite, and singling one out as the showstopper is tough.
The chocolate chip cookie shot, an innovative creation consisting of a cookie cup, served with cold-infused Tahitian vanilla milk is one delicious contender. The milk, creamy yet light, was served inside the cup, which was thick and chewy, and coated with dark chocolate inside (to help keep the milk in). With cookies and milk top on many American’s comfort food lists, you can see why this creation is such a big hit in NYC, and it’s sure to be here in the UK too, it’s absolutely divine.
The Frozen S’mores were just as incredible. Consisting of Dominique Ansel’s signature honey marshmallow wrapped around Tahitian vanilla ice cream with chocolate wafer crisps, and served on a smoked willow wood branch, these ingenious treats are torched to order. The marshmallow, sweet and sticky, turns crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside, just how you expect a S’more to be.
As you bite into the S’more, it suddenly gets cold as you reach the chocolate wafer coated vanilla ice-cream. The combination of gooey, crunch and creamy works really well, and the honey, chocolate and vanilla flavours create one amazing taste sensation. This is something not to be missed.
With Dominique Ansel considered “The most feted Pastry chef in the World†by the Daily Mail, his new bakery here in London is sure to be hit.
The Dominique Ansel Bakery London is located at 17-21 Elizabeth Street (between Ebury Street and Eccleston Place), London SW1W 9RP. The closest underground station is Victoria (Circle, District and Victoria lines).