"There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate." Charles DickensPassion Chocolat was like an old friend. And I missed it when it was gone.
The pâtisserie and cafe on Italska was on my way to work.
I used to stop by at the stroke of 8:00 a.m. a couple of times a week and pick up a warm pain au chocolate, fresh from the oven. Or a croissant filled with vanilla cream. Or a chocolate cookie. Or all of them.It was in a bright and modern store-front space in a beautifully constructed building.
But as the sweet proprietor, Nadine Musso, told me, things weren't working out there.Five months later, Nadine and her husband Jean-Francois have opened a new place, Pâtisserie St. Tropez.
It is just off Wenceslas Square, in Lucerna's Dům U Nováků.
The easiest way to find it is from the entrance on Vodičkova. From that side, you can see the cafe's Art Deco exterior.
The good news is that all the French-style cakes and pastries are just the same as they were before.
Personally, I'm partial for anything with chocolate. Or creams. Or custards.
They have whole cakes, as well. They really are edible works of art.
Things can get a little nutty - I've heard a few people raving about these sweets.
Getting back to chocolate, they still make their own special bon bons.
They also do special holiday chocolates -- I saw specially designed eggs for Easter. Some of the creations have plenty of kid appeal -- as if the chocolate alone is not enough.
Speaking of kid appeal, M. Musso makes the chocolates on the premises and you can see him at work through the glass walls.
He wasn't producing any while I was there, but I'm sure it's fun to watch.I like these people, I like their desserts, and I like the look of their new shop.
I think the new, central location, with a lot of foot traffic, will work out much better for them.What I don't like is that it is not on my way to work anymore. But it's often worthwhile to go out of your way to see a friend. Especially a friend with chocolate.
Pâtisserie St. Tropez
Palac Lucerna - Dům U Nováků
Vodičkova 30
Tel. (+420) 222 524 333
Mobile (+420) 724 547 565
