Sugared & Spiced

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Éclair at Andaz

Address: Andaz Shanghai, 88 Songshan Lu, near Taicang Lu / 嵩山路88号上海安达仕酒店1楼, 近太仓路
Tel: 2310 1720
Hours: 7:00am~10:00pm
Website: www.andazshanghai.com
Price: 18 RMB/eclair, 30~50 RMB/coffee or tea
Visited on: 2012-02-12

Éclair at Andaz specializes in – you’ve guessed it – éclairs. But before we go on, here are a few words on Andaz for those of you who are unfamiliar with this hotel collection. It is Hyatt’s new line of contemporary, boutique-inspired hotels, located in hip cities around the world like London, New York, and LA. Shanghai’s Andaz, opened only a few months ago in October 2011, is the first in Asia and the sixth in the world. Next time you are in Xintiandi, be sure to drop by and check out its chic designs.

Éclair

Interior

Back to Éclairs, where éclairs take center stage. These oblong-shaped pastries are made from pâte à choux, baked until crisp and hollow inside, then filled with flavored pastry cream and glazed with fondant icing. The word éclair actually came from a French word meaning “lightning” or “flash of lightning”…Why? Je ne sais pas.

Éclairs

Also available: a selection of chocolates, cupcakes, tarts, quiches, breads, and the likes.

Chocolates and cupcakes

Valentines cookies

There were classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate, but I sampled some of the more interesting combinations: Mango & Passion Fruit, Citrus & Grand Marnier, and Rose & Raspberry (18 RMB each). The custard fillings were not as creamy and velvety smooth as I had expected, but the éclairs weren’t too shabby either. I especially liked the Mango & Passion Fruit flavor, and will probably stick with this one next time.

A trio

Custard filling

Three éclairs all at once, that was definitely too much sugar. The solution? Balance that with a tangy Apple Tart ;). The crust is thin and crispy, the apple slices baked till slightly browned, then glazed over for a glossy finishing. I have to say that I enjoyed this more than the éclairs, but that’s probably just a personal thing since I’ve always preferred sour flavors. If you order this, don’t forget to ask the staff to heat it up for you.

Apple tart

Here’s a cup of cappuccino (40 RMB) with a crooked face O_o.

Cappuccino (40 RMB)

I took home a box of honey lemon madeleines (60 RMB) to enjoy later that evening. A perfect tea snack, also available in green tea flavor.

Madeleines (60 RMB)

Madeleines

Éclair is a great place to rest your feet and sooth your stomach if you happen to be in the Xintiandi area. They also offer sandwiches and fresh salads, so perhaps this can be a nice quick lunch spot as well? Those working in Xintiandi, do give this a try and let me know how you find it!

Éclair