Culinary Plenipotentiaries: Patisserie Des Ambassades
I'm not sure what this place is actually named. "Les Ambassades" is on the menu and signage out front, and "Patisserie Des Ambassades" is the name for looking it up on Switchboard and Yelp. Who cares. It's a high diplomatic mission of Senegalese flavor to the French pastry kitchen. The place deserves nomenclatural immunity.
Plus, the restaurant also has breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a weekend brunch.
Whatever the official name, it's at 2200 Frederick Douglass Blvd, right around the corner from Elle & Lui.
Gratuitous confection photos after the jump.
Also, UPTOWN flavor spots a new restaurant on 145th, El Puerto, and is looking for reviews.
I'm not well versed in food, nor am I someone who likes sweets, so I don't know how to describe what makes the pastries so good.
This might be part of the reason: On one visit Cheryl stopped drooling over the pastry counter long enough to talk to the chef about his delicacies. He told her that they are very particular about which ingredients they use. For example, they only use imported French flour. Ou la la.
We also highly rate the cakes. Cheryl and I now use them to celebrate birthdays. But be warned, they go fast.
For full disclosure, Cheryl and I have been going to Les Ambassades for nearly two years, but have yet to try breakfast, dinner, or brunch.
It is not that we think we would be disappointed. The only item we were ever disappointed by was the Hamburger Ali Baba; the egg, cheese, and heavy mayonnaise combination can put a stomach in limbo. Rather, we always seem to be pressed for time, and so opt for one of the grilled-meat sandwiches, which we believe take less time than an entree to prepare.
If anyone has tried the entrees, I would like to read your review.
Comments
Perhaps they had a name change since they first opened. Always wondered about that place.
Posted by: Berry | April 12, 2006 08:10 AM
i think it is a great place. i love the grilled fish,the salmon fillet and the grilled lamb .it is the best around here.and a friendly entourage i love it you should give it a try.altough they don,t serve wine but you can bring your own cheaper......
Posted by: abada johnson | April 23, 2006 10:45 AM
Pretty sure Elle & Lui closed and some place called Billy Black's took its place in the winter.
The wine shop on Frederick Douglass btwn 116th and 117th called The Winery seems closer to opening - new awning went up this week and it's got a website address on it - can't see in the windows though.
Posted by: Larry | August 2, 2007 12:17 AM