What’s on offer?
French Revolution is a high-end patisserie that specialises in one offering: eclairs. It was founded in Bucharest 11 years ago and now has five outlets there. Florian Panaitescu is one of the five founders and the man behind the newly launched franchise operation, the first of which is in Dublin. They opened the new production facility and first retail location on Marine Road in Dún Laoghaire in February. Vladislav Gurdis is the franchisee.
The eclairs are made fresh daily and filled and glazed with house-made fillings and icing. There are 12 different flavours, using top-quality ingredients sourced from France, and where possible, locally. Alongside full-sized eclairs, they also offer a sampler box of 12 mini eclairs. Flavours include: Chantilly cream, pistachio, mango, passionfruit, kalamansi lemon, red berries, dark chocolate, milk chocolate and caramel, milk chocolate and hazelnuts, salted butter and caramel, coffee, and vanilla crème pâtissière. The most popular are pistachio and caramel au beurre salé. When I visited at lunchtime, they had already sold out of pistachio, so getting there early is advisable.
A second location is planned for this year, with more to follow.
What did we order?
A box of 12 mini eclairs and five large eclairs.
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How was the service?
The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful.
Was the food nice?
The choux pastry was crisp, and each eclair was generously filled and neatly finished with a smooth glaze, with a different design for each flavour. The sampler box is a great introduction to the range, though the choux pastry in the full-sized eclairs held up better.
Some eclairs are classic, such as the Chantilly cream, which is perfect with coffee; others, such as passionfruit and mango, feel more like a plated dessert, with intensely flavoured, moussey fillings. There’s no trace of artificial flavouring – the pistachio, often a culprit elsewhere, tastes pure and all the flavours are vivid. Favourites will come down to personal preference, and if you’re a chocolate lover, there is plenty of choice. Standouts for me were the Chantilly cream, salted butter caramel, zingy passionfruit, red fruits, and mango. If I had to choose just one, it would be the coffee.
What about the packaging?
The packaging is made from recyclable, FSC-certified cardboard.
What did it cost?
€72 for sweet treats for five people: mini eclairs box, €37; and five large eclairs, €7 x 5.
Where does it deliver?
Takeaway only, or eat on-site in the cafe. Open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Would I order it again?
Definitely. The eclairs are delicious with a coffee, ideal as a dessert, and a perfect gift.
