Traveling Chomps: Sweet Endings at Canele

Where: Singapore (Paragon Shopping Center - Orchard Road)
Specialty: Dessert, Chocolate, Cake, Macarons

I discovered Canelé Pâtisserie Chocolaterie at Paragon Shopping Center (basement) on my last trip. I love their variety of cake, macarons and such. Being centrally located on Orchard Road, it's easy to stop by after shopping. We headed here after dinner at Tatsuya which is right across the street. Yes, the fruit was insufficient to satisfy my sweet tooth :P

The shop is small but there are several tables where you can sit and enjoy some coffee and cake.



Feeling rather guilty, P and I shared a Green Tea Mousse:


Chomp Meter:
One of the better dessert cafes in Singapore. Canele stands out because the desserts are aesthetically appealing in addition to delivering on taste and packaging.


Canele Patisserie Chocolaterie
290 Orchard Road,
#B1-25 Paragon,
Singapore 238859
Telephone: (65) 6733-8893

There are also Canele outlets at Raffles City Shopping Center, Shaw Center, and Robertson Walk.

Aroa Fine Chocolates - Nice concept but ...

Aroa Fine Chocolates is in the South End a couple doors down from Flour. I've been debating whether to try the chocolates at Aroa for a while now but the lack of people in the shop make me reconsider each time.

Anyway we finally checked it out last weekend. Aroa is more of a cafe/dessert shop that sells not just chocolates but also pastries, cakes, macarons, and jelly candies.

The chocolates:


The pastries:


The macarons:


The first thing I noticed was that the cakes didn't look as sophisticated for a fine pastry shop. The edges of the cream and sponge were not clean lines and looked amateurish. I have a weakness for cake so I tried a piece anyway. It tasted pretty good just didn't look as nice.

I also tried a piece of the stout chocolate. It was ok. I still love Kee's Chocolates from NYC (oh so good).

Though there were many flavors of French macaroons, the one I had was disgusting. The cookie part didn't taste fresh. The crust was too thick, not crispy on the outside and too chewy. It also tasted too sweet. (The flavor I got was the raspberry chocolate). I didn't try the others so I don't know if this was an exception ...

I stole a sip of the SO's hot chocolate. It was good but not L.A. Burdick good.

Aroa Fine Chocolates
1651 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 425-4988



Chomp Meter:
I like that they had ample seating. Maybe I'll try one of the pastries next time. They have cute mini brioches and muffins etc. But with Flour right next door, I don't know if I'll take another chance on Aroa.