All Over Albany

> The word "macaroon" comes from the French "macaron" -- but they're different cookies

Well.. huh... to add insult to injury the French "macaron" both refers to that delicious "dainty French cream-filled sandwich cookie" *and* your US macaroons, i.e. "a chewy mound of shredded coconut, lightly sweetened" (also delicious). Kinda depends on where you are in Frenchland, and in line with one of our unspoken rules: "Thou Shall Try to Confuse Tourists Whenever Thou Can".

I've seen some at Miss London, but just like the French canelé, not all the time. For some reason I just can't quite remember if Crisan does, because so many good things have happened in my mouth there. So to speak.

... said -S on Jun 7, 2010 at 4:12 PM | link

The Placid Baker in Troy

... said Ginny on Jun 7, 2010 at 4:33 PM | link

I've seen them at Mrs. London's as well, but not recently (I might have just missed them though).

Very, very occasionally we've had them at Crisan. They've been ordered in large quantities for weddings and so when that happens, we sell some in the cases as well, but we haven't had them in months (although they were heavenly). We have the macaroon as well, usually with chocolate and occasionally with carrot.

However, if anyone is interested in making the little treats themselves, I recommend I http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Macarons-Hisako-Ogita/dp/0811868710/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275958422&sr=8-1

It's a great little book that, with its pretty photography, also breaks down the process in great detail, explaining all about them. It's such a charming little book, and makes the task of making them yourself much less daunting! It even has a little troubleshooting guide, so that if your macarons turned out such-and-such a way, it's probably because of xyz.

But I'm bookmarking this, because if anyone knows where to get them, I want some!

... said kater on Jun 7, 2010 at 8:56 PM | link

thanks so much for the tips! I have purchased that "I Love Macarons" book, but have yet to try baking my own, as I've heard they are notoriously hard to do well. I work right near the Placid Baker, I know where I'll be on my lunch break this week!

... said CAPow! on Jun 7, 2010 at 11:17 PM | link

I've spotted them at Dulce & Biscotti in Clifton Park. They only have one variety at a time, but when they move to their new location, they may have room for more.

... said Terri on Jun 8, 2010 at 3:14 AM | link

Robyn's macaron descriptions have made me insanely desirous of trying macarons for... years. She's a total macaron freak, in a great way. One of these years when I am not too lazy/cheap/both, I will seek out macarons.

... said Albany Jane on Jun 8, 2010 at 9:13 AM | link

It doesn't involve a plane ticket but a bus or train ticket to NYC will definitely open up some possibilities for you. The best I've had down there have been from La Maison du Chocolat in Rockefeller Center.

There are other options though:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2007/10/where-to-find-macarons-new-york-city-and-paris.html

I know she didn't like Madeleine Patisserie but I thought some of their flavors were very good indeed.

... said mirdreams on Jun 8, 2010 at 11:28 AM | link

@kater: so it wasn't a dream, there were macarons at Crisan. Say, if a few of us here would pool to get a decent size order, could you have some again?

... said -S on Jun 8, 2010 at 12:22 PM | link

Make them yourself! They're not nearly as intimidating as they seem. Of course, I say that after having been intimidated by them for a really long time but I did get over it :)

http://sweetlytart.wordpress.com/2010/01/15/french-intimidation/

... said Jennifer on Jun 8, 2010 at 6:21 PM | link

S: I can check! I can't promise anything, but I'll inquire :) If you peek around, you'll see there are some from the old batch acting as decor under a glass in the little nooks next to the gelato case--no longer edible, but pretty, and proof that they have happened!

... said kater on Jun 8, 2010 at 9:53 PM | link

A good friend and I have a tradition of exchanging new and exciting food finds for each other's birthday so I'm always on the outlook... these came highly recommended but there are some major drawbacks; 1. not local (since I had to ship to Charlotte anyway, I was kind of ok with that for my purposes) and 2. shipping is crazy pricy (which did put me off choosing them as my annual gift). But, if you're even in San Fran... http://www.paulettemacaronsf.com/

... said greenpeccadilloes on Jun 10, 2010 at 7:33 AM | link

We (at TCPops) are soon launching a new line of Parisian Inspired baked goods. We are including authentic, French Macarons, inspired by Pierre Herme, the master of the French Macaron in Paris.

We are a small rustic bakery/shop that uses the freshest, best quality ingredients, and we make everything by hand in small batches.

Very soon, we will be doing a full line of fresh made French Macarons every Friday and Saturday - inside "The Chocolate Gecko" on 21 Colvin Ave, Albany NY.

We will be announcing our Friday and Saturday fresh baked experience soon on our facebook page. If you would like to get updates on our Macarons, etc . . . you can find it easily on our fb page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/TC-Pops/229114037150970

... said TCPops on May 6, 2012 at 9:03 PM | link