On a particular Thursday in February, I dutifully accompanied Captain S on his mission to lust after his favourite cruise liner, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, as it arrived in Sydney waters at 6am.
My presence on this very early morning was really for company. It’s all the more crazy as 4am is my normal vampiric bedtime and I was going in without any sleep! My payoff was a good breakfast – a mere luxury for a night creature such as myself.
One thing I haven’t consumed in a long time is a fresh croissant and to do that, one should head to a French patisserie. One of my favourites is La Renaissance in the heart of The Rocks in Sydney. Part of my beloved trifecta of gluttony along with Lowenbrau and Guylian in this Argyle Street intersection.
This quaint little French café with a gorgeous European rear courtyard is an idyllic oasis away from the city hustle. It’s a perfect setting to sit down with a coffee and your choice of a French pastry, cake or macarons.
The croissant here is everything a croissant should be. It’s delicately crispy and flaky on the outside, and soft and airy on the inside with the unmistakable buttery flavour. It is a baked piece of heaven eaten best when slathered on with more butter. It makes the lack of sleep almost worthwhile!
Mr S. orders a toasted croissant filled with cheese, ham and creamy béchamel sauce and topped with more melted cheese. It’s incredibly moreish and would make a perfect light lunch. In fact I’m craving one right now.
A visit to La Renaissance is not complete unless there’s a pastry dessert involved (cue the undignified drooling at the dessert displays). This time round it’s the Mixed Berry Tart that has me seduced.
The pastry base is sweet and delicately crunchy and its biscuit-like texture marries well with the silky smooth custard filling (crème patissiere – cue round two of undignified drooling). Topping the tart are sweet strawberries and blueberries and lip-smackingly sour cranberries and raspberries, all glistening under the apricot glaze.
As far as the beverages go, Mr S. approved of his coffee while I severely craved a freshly squeezed orange juice to complete my morning, which wasn’t on the menu unfortunately.
Yep, I hate the early daylight, but if it meant having breakfast at La Renaissance then I suppose the mornings are not all that bad.
Oh and in case you were curious, here is Mr S’s other British Queen (me jealous? Never).
Speaking of the British Isles, (as if my festive banner wasn’t obvious enough), St. Patrick’s Day is on next Tuesday 17th March and Sydney will be celebrating with a traditional Irish parade on Sunday 15th March at 12pm (details here). For the love of Irish, please remember to drink responsibly and sláinte chugat!
La Renaissance
47 Argyle Street
The Rocks NSW 2000
(02) 9241 4878
la.renaissance@bigpond.com
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm, seven days
[googlemaps http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=la+renaissance+sydney&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=38.894576,79.365234&ie=UTF8&ll=-33.848463,151.212473&spn=0.008856,0.019376&z=14&iwloc=A&cid=7873476867950724001&output=embed&s=AARTsJocTpSAJvTShH-RUeZr8QYp0QUjog&w=425&h=350]
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh what a gorgeous looking patisserie (especially that tart!). Love the leafy courtyard! You are very devoted 2 your partner 2 go with him that early haha!
I do love this little place, I work just up the road so it is a constant temptation I assure you! The things we do for our men – I had to wake up at 4am to go to the Philip Island MotoGP with mine! haha
Oh yum, that croissant looks tasty! La Renaissance is such a cozy quaint place, especially next to the sleek Guylian cafe!You’re going to Taste on Sunday lunch, right? Maybe see you there?
I love love love this place! I used to go all the time when I lived in Sydney and this weekend I’m coming up from Melbourne for a hen’s night and can’t wait to have brekky there :-)
oh yummmmm….. i’m craving a good buttery flaky croissant now.
That’s a very straight croissant! But looks so tasty. I love La Renaissance’s pies, too – the pastry is flaky and the filling’s meaty.
Mmmm I’ve been here only once before but now I must go back for moooree!
Yum. A delicate multi-layered crossiant like that makes my heart skip a beat :)
La R is such a gorgeous place. I think they might be the place that is supplying the Shangrila with the macarons too? Although I’m not 100% sure. They just look the same. Look at the pockets of airy goodness and layers of the croissant and I admit that I cannot go past a good ham and cheese croissant.
Oh boy, I miss Sidney sooooooo much, I lived there at kirribilii the same street with the Prime Minister for 3 years, and see pictures from Australia makes my heart hurt.I love your country and the people. Love your blog, and and I choose you to pass on a meme. Hope you don’t mind.
i lust this place for a long long time when I used to work at the rocks, but Zumbo is the one I lust now. LOL
Someone tells me their pies are really good too, but I’ve only ever tried the cakes.
You’re quite the trooper to head out there at 6 am. At least your breakfast made up for it! I envy you your choice of French cafes in Sydney. Here in Hawaii there’s really nothing like that. Not that I’m complaining about life in Hawaii! Btw, the inside of your croissant made me moan, and the photo of your tart set me into chewing on my tongue. Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in Australia!
Hi Rosa – Haha I am aren’t I? Now he owes me one!Hi Lisa – so true! Although I wouldn’t mind doing so for the MotoGP!Hi Chris – I was there on Sunday but I didn’t see any of you! Or maybe I did but I wasn’t sure? It was too crowded lol!Hi Mel – Ooh did you end up going? Mmm croissant…Hi Shez – you and me both :)Hi Belle – first time I’ve seen a straight one! But it tasted fab!Hi FFichiban – so do I! :)Hi Helen – Aah so it’s not just me :)Hi Lorraine – Ooh if they are I’m dashing in there asap to get the raspberry “monte carlo” and orange macaron! I’ve only tasted rose flavoured so I def have to try the rest!Hi Anna Mor – Aw thanks sweetie and of course I don’t mind! I think it’s time for you to revisit Sydney :)Hi Billy – you sure did fall for Zumbo nice and hard didn’t you? I don’t blame you lol!Hi Y – I’ve heard good things about their pies too! Looks like there’s one thing I have to try now :)Hi Sapuche – I love it when my photos have that effect on people LOL