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The Cookie
“An exquisite pleasure had invaded my senses, something isolated,
detached, with no suggestion of its origin. And at once the
vicissitudes of life had become indifferent to me, its disasters
innocuous, its brevity illusory – this new sensation having had on
me the effect which love has of filling me with a precious essence:
or rather this essence was not in me it was me.”
- “Remembrance of Things Past”, Vol.1: Swann’s Way, Marcel Proust
IGNITE YOUR SENSES AT LAURENT’S CAFÉ & CHOCOLATE BAR
Formerly known as The Chocolate Factory, the newly renamed Laurent’s
Café & Chocolate Bar is set amid a sea of cookie-cutter eateries. It
stands distinct from the rest for its fresh, light and vibrant
energy coupled with a thread of cosiness that practically sweeps you
in. With just the right ambience to sit back, relax and enjoy a
beverage of choice, the patrons who loyally return do so only for
one reason… chocolate.
Having started the business with his wife Iveta just last year, the
motivation behind the café is to offer a range of chocolates and
desserts worthy of culinary exclamation. With 20 years of culinary
experience, chocolate is a craft of quality that he has near
perfected - in essence, it is the physical manifestation of both
passion and years of experiment and practice. Each indulgent piece
of chocolate is painstakingly developed and moulded with love and
creativity. And each one is unique in itself, with a multitude of
flavours cultivated from a variety of sources.
Whether it is Japanese fruits, such as the Yuzu or the Mirabelle, a
plum from the East of France, extraordinary flavours are always
uncovered through much trial and error, until the ideal tastes are
met. Almost like a molecular clinic, the mix of flavours causes an
explosion of the senses, either in passion fruit, chilli, or green
tea with raspberry, etc. It would seem foolish not to indulge in
some variation of this dark elixir – liquid forms of beverage, soft
and feathery soufflé or luscious bites of cakes or tarts. Top off
the sweet craving with a frothy cup of hot chocolate or cool mint
tea, whichever your poison.
The fleeting taste of the Madeleine, a shell-shaped confection, was
the inspiration behind the business. A story that calls to life the
world of the narrator’s childhood in Belle Epoque, France, the
adaptation is one that pastry chef and owner of Laurent’s Café &
Chocolate Bar, Laurent Bernard relates to and wishes to impart to
his patrons. In fact, the café has a whole wall dedicated to
Proust’s widely-known novel of the twentieth century, in the form of
word decals. This shapes just a part of the poetic connotations of
the café, as more and more of it gradually unveils itself.
Pervading the senses in more than one way, the quality of service is
not negligible. In tandem with his sweet, delectable offerings, the
emphasis on service creates a pleasant environment for all visitors.
Truly, a visit to Laurent’s Café & Chocolate Bar will sweep you off
your feet, but surely you won’t regret coming back for more.
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