Like any Ladurée I've been to around the world, Ladurée Rome is at a premium location. Found in the old city with its recognisable pink and light blue colour scheme, macaron display, crystal chandeliers, outdoor seating, French renaissance portraits and the same menu offering desserts, sandwiches and drinks.
Even though this place is not Italian, I felt like giving it a try to check out how it might differ from their locations in France - which I like - and the one in Beirut (which needs some attention in the kitchen).
Other than the very slow service like almost every restaurant I've been to in Rome, the food is average:
- The bread is dry, lacking moisture and softness.
- The chocolate cake is like any other cake, but also dry and lacking any chocolate flavor. I've had much better; this one has a bizarre sandy feel under the teeth.
- The cold chocolate drink is bland. I imagined and expected a stronger and tastier offering.
- The coffee is way too bitter!
- The eggs are good; a good looking plate but lacking finesse when compared to the ones I've had in France. Moist scrambled eggs topped with smoked salmon and decorated with toasted fingers of bread. The eggs and salmon are set on a bed of more salmon. They're good enough but didn't provide the exceptional sensation Ladurée sells itself on. The eggs' temperature should not be in sharp contrast to the salmon, there needs to be a sprinkle of thick pepper and a certain equilibrium between the ingredients.
Breakfast at Ladurée in Rome is not worth it.
