I've been scouring the area for a good French macaroon -- they're the dainty,
colorful meringue cookies with ganache or jam filling -- since I've returned
from my vacation in Paris. I'm not sure if we even have them here in Santa
Barbara, but since we have a couple French bakeries in town I'm sure
somewhere carries these treats. Anyone have the scoop on where to find
some French macaroons?
COMMENT 334802
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2012-10-23 04:54 PM |
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Renaud's is the only place in town to get a legitimate one.
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COMMENT 334803
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2012-10-23 04:56 PM |
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Believe it or not but Von's used to sell the best coconut macaroons. I have seen them in canisters in the cookie isle but they aren't as good as a freshly baked macaroons.
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COMMENT 334806
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2012-10-23 05:00 PM |
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Renaud's!
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SBROCKS
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2012-10-23 05:04 PM |
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French Macaroon there is no place like Renaud's. Everything that he makes is just perfect.
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COMMENT 334815
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2012-10-23 05:15 PM |
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All signs point to Renaud's -- I think 803 is referring to the other macaroon, the delicious coconut-y cousin. Any know if the prices are reasonable?
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COMMENT 334819
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2012-10-23 05:17 PM |
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Anderson's Danish Bakery and Renauld's
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COMMENT 334824
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2012-10-23 05:31 PM |
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Pierre Lafonds in Montecito has good macaroon cookies. Santa Barbara location might too, but I'm not sure.
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COMMENT 334842
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2012-10-23 06:26 PM |
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Trader Joe's has the French-style macarons ("macaroons" are completely different and not French) in at least two flavors (chocolate and pumpkin) in both the freezer section and cookie section. I haven't tried them. They may even be imported. TJ's also carries "macaroons" -- again, not the French style you are looking for -- those coconut door stops.
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COMMENT 334849
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2012-10-23 06:45 PM |
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I curse all you informed EdHat'ers for making me aware of another tasty way to increase my waistline! If you Google on "trader joes french macarons" you will see what 842 was referring to.
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AQUAHOLIC
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2012-10-23 07:00 PM |
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Yes, Renaud's next to Harry's, or their downtown location near the Arlington. ...darn it, now I want one.
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COMMENT 334860
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2012-10-23 07:08 PM |
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The TJ's macarons are not bad - thaw them at room temperature and let them sit out a bit longer than the package says - they can't touch what you had in Paris but they work in a pinch. If you are going to go to Renaud's...early is better than later...they run out of them. Hope you find some that you enjoy.
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COMMENT 334863
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2012-10-23 07:22 PM |
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I love Renaud's, especially the pistachio!
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COMMENT 334876
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2012-10-23 07:56 PM |
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Xanadu Bakery in Montecito has great Macarons! Also if that chocolate opulance place is still at Paseo Nuevo they have them too!
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COMMENT 334951
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2012-10-24 06:55 AM |
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Renaud's.
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COMMENT 334961P
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2012-10-24 07:19 AM |
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Renauds are good, but man this cookie is SO overwhelmingly sweet. Maked my teef hurt!
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COMMENT 334976
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2012-10-24 07:52 AM |
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The Solvang Bakery, in its new location just down the street from the old place, has French macarons in a large variety of flavors. I haven't tried them yet, but they look beautiful in all their colors.
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DIRTYHARRY
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2012-10-24 08:29 AM |
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Actually, Gelson's has very tasty Macaroons made by Renaud's next door. Winner!
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COMMENT 335000
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2012-10-24 08:38 AM |
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Renaud's are very tasty. Sometimes not super fresh. The salted caramel is the best! Also, Whole Foods carry them.
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COMMENT 335002
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2012-10-24 08:44 AM |
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Whole Foods has delicious macarons. The pistachio is their most popular and they even let you have free samples!
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COMMENT 335003
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2012-10-24 08:44 AM |
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Definitely Renauds. If you're unable to make it to Renauds before they close then, like Dirty Harry said, walk over to Renauds bakery inside Gelsons as they close shop later.
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COMMENT 335018
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2012-10-24 09:01 AM |
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Macaroons are made from coconut, macarons are made from meringue ... they are very different things.
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COMMENT 335034
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2012-10-24 09:21 AM |
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Anna's Bakery in the Camino Real Marketplace has chocolate macaroons for 95 cents and plain for 75 cents. they are very delicious and made with coconut.
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GRANNYFRANNY
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2012-10-24 09:33 AM |
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Yes, "macarons" -- yes, Renaud's -- and thanks for the tip about TJ's frozen ones (in a pinch) ...
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COMMENT 335059
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2012-10-24 09:50 AM |
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Renaud's is the ONLY choice here.
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COMMENT 335093P
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2012-10-24 10:15 AM |
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They were sampling the Trader Joe's pumpkin macarons the other day when I was there. They weren't at the sample counter, but a guy was walking around with a tray and a set of tongs. Even he seemed surprised at how good they were. Nice texture, and not too sweet. Best thawed to room temp with just a little chill left in the filling. I can't compare as I've never had fresh macarons, but these TJ's ones are nice.
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COMMENT 335393
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2012-10-24 07:29 PM |
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For the record...coconut and almond macaroons are VERY different animals. My old German grandma made the almond paste ones (which I presume are "French") from egg whites, granulated sugar and almond paste-NO flour. Heavenly but don't keep well
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