Macaron Parlour: Pâtisserie Par Excellence

Pâtisserie Par Excellence: Macaron Parlour

“You do not know what life means when all the difficulties are removed! I am simply smothered and sickened with advantages. It is like eating a sweet dessert the first thing in the morning,” Jane Addams

Macaron Parlour: Customer Favorite...

Macaron Parlour: a delightful, delicious display...

Macaron Parlour: Delicious Pastries made with love...

Très Jolie: A sampling of the luscious flavors Macaron Parlour offers to whet your appetite: Candied Bacon with Maple Cream Cheese, S’Mores, Thai Chili, Peanut Butter Cup, Red Velvet, Cinnamon Pistachio with Morello Cherries, Caramel Fleur de Sel, Coffee, Nutella, Passion Fruit, Lemon, Earl Grey, Strawberry and Vanilla.

By now, you know that siblings SuChin and Suyhun Pak are part of The Big Social; the creative planning team behind the Hester Street Fair. Every weekend, an eclectic group of vendors; many of them new and energetic entrepreneurs, display an array of goods for serious shoppers and spectators to enjoy. You will find no shortage of creative and fascinating items to eat, wear, display and enjoy.

After my last visit to the Hester Street Fair where I savored the Popsicle delights from La Newyorkina, I ventured back today to seek out more taste bud treats and delicacies. I was not disappointed as the colorful, petite and delicious macaroons from Simon Tung and Christina Ha’s Macaron Parlour beckoned me to “Come hither!”

“I prefer to regard a dessert as I would imagine the perfect woman: subtle, a little bittersweet, not blowsy and extrovert. Delicately made up, not highly rouged. Holding back, not exposing everything and, of course, with a flavor that lasts.” ~Graham Kerr

Macaron Parlour: Simon Tung, co-owner at Hester Street Fair Stand...

Macaron Parlour: Items for the Day at Hester Street Fair

Simon was on duty today as his partner/co-owner, Christina, was busy in class at the Institute of Culinary Education. He beamed as I approached his stand and was pleased to tell me about the various macarons he had on display and the joy this business concept has given both partners. Simon shared that they continue to create new macaron flavors and are thrilled that their love for macarons has taken off and helped expand their brand; people are paying attention.

These mouthwatering, indulgent little round shell cakes, with a delectable filling in the middle, are the brainchild of Simon Tung, sometime recruiter for the legal industry, and Christina Ha, formerly in the non profit world, a graduate of La Haute Pâtisserie Pierre Hermé in Paris and a current student at the Institute of Culinary Education. The colorful macarons sell anywhere from $2 – $3 a piece and each treat offers you a unique, satisfying flavor.

“I don’t think a really good pie can be made without a dozen or so children peeking over your shoulder as you stoop to look in at it every little while.” ~John Gould

Macaron Parlour: S'Mores without the snores ... Yummy.

Macaron Palour: More sweet treats on display...

According to their bio on the company website, the dynamic duo birthed Macaron Parlour when their private fantasies about owning a bakery became a reality after they met in 2010. Macaron Parlour has been in business for a few months but the excellent product and expansive ideas envisioned by these two passionate entrepreneurs should keep them in good stead for a long while.

The idea behind Macaron Parlour is to offer the pastry/dessert/sweets loving public macarons that go beyond traditional fillings. While playing homage to buttercreams and ganaches, Simon and Christina offer savory and frozen dessert fillings; fun flavors like candied bacon with maple cream cheese frosting, s’mores, Thai chili, red velvet, macarons made with brown sugar and several other indulgent flavors. They also carry a line of other sweets; brownies, florentines and others desserts.

By introducing original, whimsical, and decidedly delicious flavors instead of the standard, boring coconut macarons that we are so familiar with, Macaron Parlour pulls us into a culinary world often reserved for the well traveled palate. Essentially, you don’t need to visit Paris to taste one of the phenomenal pastel colored treats. You can enjoy them right here at home in NY.

“Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands – and then eat just one of the pieces.” ~ Judith Viorst

Macaron Parlour: Colorful treats for feasting eyes...

Macaron Parlour: Other Desserts from the store...

More Macarons: Laduree Style...

As we spoke, customers stopped by to sample the fare and one in particular, Jason, gladly shared his verdict on the Macaron Parlour macarons, “I am passionate and quite addicted to MP’s macarons. They are excellent … very tasty!” When pressed further, Jason elaborated, “I love the creative and original ideas they bring to their product. I would readily say that they are comparable to the macarons I had at Ladurée in Paris.” Now that is a vote of confidence if I ever heard one. By the way, Ladurée has now opened in NYC Their Macarons are now all flown in from Paris. Ladurée, 864 Madison Avenue (71st Street), (646) 558-3157, open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6. Macarons in 15 flavors are $2.70 each; chocolates, $10 and up; ice cream, $8.50.

When asked which flavors were popular, Simon shared that while candied bacon with maple cream cheese frosting is a huge customer favorite; other Macaron Parlour flavors are equally delectable. True. I tried the red velvet and Rich the peanut butter; verdict? Phenomenal. They were scrumptious and fresh. I would recommend you stop by the Macaron Parlour Stand at the Hester Street Fair and try one next weekend.

“Dessert is probably the most important stage of the meal, since it will be the last thing your guests remember before they pass out all over the table.” William Powell

Macaron Parlour: Choices ... Red Velvet or Peanut Butter?

Macaron Parlour: Sesame sweet treats and more...

This summer, Macaron Parlour will offer lemonade for sale and the proceeds will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an organization committed to finding a cure for pediatric cancer. You may also reach Simon and Christina via their website, twitter handle: @MacaronParlour, blog, and Esty Shop. Above all, go say hello at the Hester Street Fair: and sample their treats.

Have you tried Macaron Parlour’s macarons? Do you have a favorite flavor? Check out Macaron Parlour’s treats at the Hester Street Fair – Hester Street & Essex on the lower Eastside and share with us here. Thank you!

Related articles

• Macaron anyone? (thetravelcrew.wordpress.com)
• Ladurée in New York: France’s Iconic Macaron Sets Out to Conquer America (dailyfinance.com)
• The Malta Artisan Market (thegastronome.wordpress.com)
• Macaron Mayhem (hellyfillsherbelly.com)
• Etsy Finds: Macarons (casasugar.com)
• The Road to Macaron – Part 1 (crissybakes.wordpress.com)

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Photographs of Macaron Parlour macarons & Simon ~ courtesy of Macaron Parlour and my personal collection. Others via Google Images.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet