La Boulangerie is a French bakery/cafe that is tucked away in a little corner of Anna Nagar. Opened by a young Frenchman, Alexis de Ducla, it began as a noble NGO. Mr. de Ducla began La Boulangerie to help young adults from underprivileged backgrounds, get a career going by teaching them to bake and manage a bakery. Foodstuff from the bakery was sold to the cafes at Amethyst, the Park hotel, Amma Naana and Maison de Gourmet.
He then opened his own little cafe/bakery. After reading a lot of press about the cafe, we decided to give it a test run. So on Sunday afternoon, we set off there, to have some "coffee and cake".
The ambience is very nice. They have a little outdoor terrace with seating, and in-door furniture (for those not brave enough to weather the Chennai heat). There is a selection of croissants, bagels (yes, the first time I've seen bagels anywhere in Chennai), flavored breads, cakes and pastries.
The less said about the bread, the better! It all sounded very good, but tasted ... disappointing. I sampled a mushroom quiche was "ok". The only thing that was very good was the little tea cakes that came with the cappuccino we ordered.
I think they have a long way to go before their food resembles, in taste, a Parisienne cafe. I wish them good luck - god knows Chennai needs a great bakery/ cafe.
Contact information and address on their website. (the site is under construction, but the basic address and phone numbers are there).
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
La Boulangerie
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25 comments:
ah, so you wrote a review. you have been mild given the tough chewy nature of good looking breads that taste bad.
ooh and I've been wanting to go there specially for their bread after seeing all the newspaper writeups...
Arundati-
first time visitor here..you have a great blogspot sharing the new Chennai eat outs. Brings me memories of college days, le boulengar is a french bakery chain that is here in US.
Lakshmi - I had to write a little about it - its a good venture, just needs to be better! :)
Rachel - hmm... i would wait - you could go try other things - a friend highly recommended the hot chocolate, and the quiches weren't bad.
Mitr - Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, I know about the US chain - this isn't it! :) Glad you liked the blog.
Dear Arundathi,
I've been reading this blog for a while and recently discovered your food blog.I love this blog of yours (I forget if I've commented here before). I'm visiting Chennai soon and am going go reread your posts/ rest. reviews in your archive - they sure will come in handy.
Best,
Mamatha
Mamatha - thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a lovely visit to Chennai.
I am a world away from you, in the States in Mississippi. So glad that I popped in and got to see a bit of your world.
A great blog here. Thanks for the tour and the description, even though this one wasn't your favorite..Kayce
KC - welcome! and you have a lovely blog...
okay, so this really is an awesome blog. being a foodie myself, i especially love the photos of the food!
i am originally from Chennai (got family and the whole sha-bang there) but i'm in the US right now.
i fell into your blog while looking for reviews of La Boulangerie because i have an interesting connection to it.
i'm delving into some business ventures in Chennai and i'm looking at cafe/coffee shop prospects in the area. i haven't looked at all your blog archives, but perhaps you could do a little entry on the best/worst/most interesting coffee hang outs in Chennai. it would be fun for the locals as well as for me!
thanks and keep up the good work!
-Israa
Israa - thanks for stopping by. A great idea to start a cafe - its much needed in Chennai. I'll definitely try and post about the Chennai coffee houses. Thanks and good luck!
Hi Arundathi,
Long time. Anyways I lost all my posts in my blog and I've had a hellish time setting it back on track. Coming to La Boulangerie, your review is spot on. It looked delicious and classy from the outside but the pastries left a lot to be desired.
I think I had cream rolls and cream had turned sour and smelly so I had to waste it down the bin after just a tiny bite...
Hi Chillpilgrim - good to see you back. Must've been a nightmare to lose everything. I have to back mine up sometime too!
Ouch!! and here i was all taken in by their outward appearance and all i read on the net(newsy stuff, that raved about this place).. not visited it tho.. now, am having 2nd thots....
but i did hear that this place is a training ground for many budding bakers n chefs who go on to take up jobs in other hotels, etc...
Hello. Glad I stumbled on your blog. I'm working for a year here in Chennai and am fortunate for this resource. Do you have any suggestions for Besant Nagar...somewhere to have a quick bite (not necessarily meal) in a nice, relaxed environment?
There weren't many bakeries when I stayed there! I know some really good ones in Bangalore and Hyd. Good review, Anu!
Aaarti - Yes it is a training ground and that's a fantastic effort that they have undertaken.
AS - I don't frequent the Adyar-side of Chennai very much, so I'm not going to be of much help. But I hear Eden is very nice.
Sunshinemom - Yeah I know some great ones in Blr. I liked French Loaf a lot though - they have some good bread.
Nice blog and a good write-up. As a journalist myself, I can definitely relate. Keep up the good efforts!
Thank you, Thomas Chacko Vineeth.
Hi arundathi,
since you are from chennai, you could probably also review/comment on good continental restaurants in Chennai. There was this chain in Eldams - pricey but yummy i forget the name. And of course there`s my favourite - Eden!!! Hm....Its nice to reconnect through your post to dear old Madras...
Anubhavati - I love Eden too :) Thanks.
Hey Arundathi
Just wanted to let you know that La Boulangerie was taken over by RR Hospitality in March 2009 & since then we have been slowly & steadily striving to create a niche bakery chain. We now have 7 outlets in the city. We recently opened our outlet in Anna Nagar near Heritage store, 10th main road, 2nd avenue. A visit to www.laboulangerie.in will tell you exactly what we have been upto the last year.
Anyways..great blog...Im a foodie myself so its really nice to see someone chronicling the good eating joints of Madras.
Keep it goin!
Anuradha
Hi Arundathi.
If you could can you please give more details about La Boulangerie,brand and its products
to aneesh@srivishnu.edu.in
regards
aneesh chandy
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
Cake Shop Chennai
The blog was really very nice to see and the combination of idly and sambar was rocking always.Thanks for sharing with us.
Coffee Shops Bangalore
The blog was really very nice to see and the combination of idly and sambar was rocking always.Thanks for sharing with us.
Coffee Shops Bangalore
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