Page 48 of Damaged Mogul
“Life is short. I love how the French bypass savory options and strictly focus on dessert.”
“Got to love how the French think.”
“Oh, I lovepain au chocolat?” I point to the golden chocolate croissants.
She cocks a perfectly groomed eyebrow. “Trypain au chocolatblanc.”
“Mother of God. Croissants stuffed with white chocolate?”
She nods.
Sweet baby Jesus.
She points to another plate. “And these arepetits pains au chocolat blanc.”
“White chocolate bread?”
“Yup!”
She says that as if it was no big deal.
Carbsandwhite chocolate? Angels are singing.
“Phoenix’s youngest brother, Roman, doesn’t like milk chocolate,” she says.
“He doesn’t?”
“He doesn’t enjoy the taste.”
That guy must be a Martian.
“Our pastry chef came up with the white chocolate alternatives to classic French pastries. Roman loves them. So does our guests. They’re a crowd pleaser.”
“You people know how to live,” I say. “What about this?” I point to a small smooth caramel-colored cake.
“Gâteau à la confiture de lait, aka, dulce de leche cake. We’re talking about moist and fluffy brownbutter layers covered in sinful dulce de leche buttercream, topped with a braid of vanilla buttercream.”
“You’re killing me.”
Mikki laughs. “Dulce de leche is heavenly.”
#Fact.
“There are a few spots in New York that serve a French afternoon tea, but none rival what we serve at the Pompadour Hotel, which is why we had to open a separate afternoon tea salon that servesle goûterbecause theLa Belle ÉpoqueRoom at the New York location had a one-month wait list.”
“Impressive.”
“We keep the experience as traditional as possible, even going so far as choosingMarriages Frèresinstead of British tea.” She points to the teapot. “As I’m sure you know, unlike the British high tea, the French only serve sweet. Some restaurants in Paris break with tradition, but we decided not to.”
“It’s like being in Paris.”
“Minus the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, it’s a close second,” she says.
“You forgot the moody Parisians on a rainy day.”
“Angelenos are darn right grouchy when it drizzles, and plain bitchy when it rains.”
We laugh.
