A couple of weeks ago, my sister introduced hubby and I to a wonderful little coffee shop called ‘Chateau Gateaux’. With a name like that, who could resist venturing inside to sample its delights. This how they advertise themselves, “Leave your passport at home and step into our little piece of Paris.” Well, that’s exactly what we did, and we didn’t regret it, in fact we’ve been there three times in two and a half weeks. They boast a mouth-watering range of gateaux and desserts as well as traditional French pastries, artisan breads and wonderful 100% Arabica coffee, and they even do my favourite chai tea latte, which is a big plus.
Yesterday, we drove up the hill to pick up my mom, and went to meet my sister for a couple of hours of overindulgence and chat. She arrived before us and got the number one parking spot, right outside the door.
As we stepped inside, the tantalising aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted us, but I was unwavering in my preference for chai tea latte. I love the smell of coffee, but don’t drink it very often. Above the serving area, is a beautifully painted ceiling.
The array of yummy looking cakes was really tempting,
but at that time of day, the pastries looked even more appealing.
I decided on a savoury Bureka filled with Mediterranean roasted vegetables. Sister had a Pain au Chocolat, whilst mom decided on an Apple Custard Danish, and hubby an Almond Danish. It’s so difficult to choose, because they’re all absolutely delicious. I was wishing I could just sit there all day, and try each one in turn.
I love the way this coffee shop is decorated. It’s like an open invitation to indulge in the deliciously naughty treats with a clear conscience. There is even a fridge stocked with frozen gateaux to take home.
I’ve just found out that there’s a ‘Chateau Gateaux’ not far down the road from us, just in the next suburb. Do you think this is good or bad news? ๐
Pure Heaven!
Wow, this is my type of place! Thanks for taking me along on a delightful sensory experience.
I absolutely love finding little places like this. There’s nothing better than delicious coffee and pastries to start the day with! Well, let’s be honest, any time really! ๐
~Andrea
I think it was a great find on the part of my sister. ๐ Thanks so much for the visit, Andrea.
AHHH .. reminds me of Panera. The coffee shop with the yummiest creations, too. It isn’t French but the variety of breads, pastries, coffee, teas and all of the other things we shouldn’t have are delicious. It seems to mimic the dรฉcor of your โChateau Gateauxโ. I treat myself once a month to their special baked goods. I think that’s acceptable. Of course, their coffee and tea is a must more often.
Now, I want to go there and have a yummy. ~~~~~~ : – (
LOL
“Once a month” is very disciplined of you, Issy. I shall have to think about such a rule. ๐
No such things around here, luckily! Or maybe not so lucky ๐
Depends which way you look at it, Bente. ๐
I wish there was one down the street from me. And I love chai tea lattes.
My favourite drink, TBM. We visited the other one this morning. The vibe was quite different, and although the food and drinks were just as delicious, I don’t feel drawn to this place like the one near to my sister’s house. ๐
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Calories don’t count sometimes. Thanks for the recent blog visit.
This is true. Sometimes one just has to throw caution to the winds, and just enjoy. ๐
Now that you know there is a location just down the road, I say ENJOY … well, when you get the urge.
Thanks for giving me permission, Frank. I hold you responsible for any damage. ๐
It looks wonderful, ad!
Yes it was, Hopestar. ๐
You might have to pay a few more visits to that harsh gym instructor AD ๐
But hey – you only live once, and you HAVE to eat – might as well enjoy it!
So true, 68. Maybe I should spend more time at the coffee shop and less at the gym. ๐
Could you ask them to open one here? Looks amazing!
I’m sure it would do so well in Cape Town. I’ll ask them. ๐
I’d say from the looks of the food, and the delicious drinks you describe that you are a lucky lady. Yum! Put it all in such a nice setting, with your favorite people… I don’t think it gets any better than that! ๐ Enjoy! ๐
You’re absolutely right, Marsha. ๐
๐ Me too! ๐
One just down the way from you? YOU are in trouble!
Yes I know, and I have a plan to get there tomorrow. ๐
LOL! I’m glad there isn’t anything like that close to me…but it looks like such a charming place to go…so maybe I DO wish there was a place like that near me!
A patisserie in the neighborhood is always a good thing. The pastries all sound wonderful. How ever did you choose?
I agree with you. It was a very difficult decision, as I would have liked to try everything on offer. I was very pleased with my Bureka though. I always prefer savoury to sweet. ๐
nothing like a french patisserie close by, an essential i would say … here we have a gorgeous young frenchwoman who bakes at home and brings all her baguettes and croissants and gateaux to the markets to tempt us!
Oh, that sounds wonderful, Christine. I’m sure her market stall is overwhelmed with customers. ๐
Oooooo pastries! Looks fantastic Sylvia!
They tasted as good as they looked, Phil. ๐
My mouth is watering…especially that Croissant!
Yes, mine was really delicious. ๐
Hmm…I would do a lot of indulging there indeed AD. Great shots hon and thanks for sharing. ๐ *big hugs*
Thanks so much, Sonel. I’m sure you would. ๐ xx
I want one near me!
Well maybe it’s just as well there isn’t one, Dallas. Your dad would be dragging you off there every day. ๐
“…As we stepped inside, the tantalising aroma of freshly brewed coffee…” – yes tantalising – and all the other tantalising smells: my father was a baker …
Oh yes, a baker. How fortuitous. My father was an electrician…….not nearly as delicious. ๐
OMGoodness:
http://www.zomato.com/johannesburg/chateau-gateaux-patisseries-illovo?adref=652000-6501393-0000003&gclid=CLjHmsTqq7gCFZIPtAod03IArA
Wow, I must check if there is one up here, AD. On second thoughts, maybe not. Then I would REALLY get fat!
Yes I already checked out Jo’burg, adee. Maybe you need to pay it a visit. ๐
It would definitely be good news to me….
The temptation would be too great. ๐
omg that looks sooooooo yummy lucky ๐
Double-edged sword! Use it to slice into some of these and indulge yourself!
Great advice, Gemma. ๐
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mmmmm, this place tugs at my heart and tummy. ๐
Mine too, Imelda. ๐
I like the tour inside a coffee shop or a restaurant. They are so interesting places on their own. I am glad that they let you take pictures inside.
Thanks so much. Yes, they were fine with the photos. I suppose it’s good for promotion. ๐
How could anyone resist such a place? I’d be there every day!
With great difficulty, RoSy. ๐
It just has tone a good thing.
A very good thing, Debra. ๐
Good grief – I want to live in this place! ๐
Hehehe. At least this new discovery isn’t right on my doorstep, but I will definitely have to go and see whether it matches up to the place near my sister’s. Call it research. ๐
A second on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. ๐ I can recommend http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk/ for when you visit. Enjoy.
Luckily I don’t have any hips, Ray. Thanks for the link. I’ll look it up. ๐
We’ll know where you are and what you are drinking, at least once a week. The art work on the wall is really clever. If I look at those pastries again, I will sample the computer. ๐
Hehehe. We’re only here for another two weeks, Lynne. I’m sure I’ll find such places during my month in England, and then I’ll have to explore the cake shops in West Palm. Maybe I shouldn’t even think about it though. Not good for hubby’s waistline. ๐ฆ
I think its good news, chai latte is my favourite too – I get one in starbucks sometimes but of course they don’t have such delights as chateau gateaux!
When I go to Starbucks in Florida, I always have to have the panini with sundried tomatoes, mozzarella and basil pesto. I haven’t seen this on offer at Starbucks in England. It will be one of the first things I do when I get back in September, maybe even before I unpack my cases. ๐
I should not have looked at that….. I really fancy a yummy cake now. This coffeeshop is well to my liking! I’ll join next time!
Sorry to tempt you, Ute. ๐
It sounds like a wonderful place!! I think it is great that there is one close to you!! Enjoy! ๐
Thanks so much, Zirkie. You used to have a coffee shop, didn’t you? I’m sure you had really delectable goodies there too. ๐
What a lovely afternoon! I could smell the coffee and pastries through the cables!!! Hugs!!
โThere is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, and if it became worse and harder evenโthe French air clears up the brain and does goodโa world of good.โ
โ Vincent van Gogh
Could you really? ๐ Well it wasn’t quite Paris, but we could pretend, with all those delectable baked goodies. ๐
I’m wondering how much more torture you’ll have to add to your work-out routine? Or are you one of those folks who never puts on an extra pound?
I’m quite lucky that way, Gunta. I have to confess that I haven’t done Cruel Neils class for a few weeks. ๐ฆ
Oh isn’t it just lovely to have a time like that AD . You are so lucky to have your Mum still around and you all to be able to enjoy such a ‘delicious’ occasion ! scrummy yummy .
Yes, I am lucky, Poppy. My mom really loves her times out with her family. ๐
“Yummy” is the first word that comes to my mind ๐
Hehehe Me too, Ese. ๐
Oh yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxxxx
Yes it certainly was yummy, and I see there is one in Durban North. ๐
A place full of temptations… Yum Yum!!!
๐
Yes it was, Marina, and very yum yum indeed. ๐
It looks amazing! Now I’m hungry again even though we just are 80
It was amazing, TA. You always seem to be hungry when you see my food pics. ๐
Next time you should send me a bite so I can try it out as well ๐
There’s one in Illovo. ๐
Now you’re being a bad influence ๐
Well, you donโt have to go there. I was only saying. ๐
Amazing, my best ๐
Yes, I know. ๐
Mouthwatering goodies to eat! Indulge and enjoy.
Absolutely, Pussycat. You only live once. ๐