Mariage Freres
For everyone who has seen Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, I hope that you still remember the blooming jasmin tea she was serving her brother the Emperor of Austria. She says that it is from China- it really is- only it is now available for us non-royals at one of my favourite tea salons Mariage Freres.
Usually when I go there to be arch and ladylike with my girlfriends, the unadventurous side of me always orders the same teas that I am familiar with; Darjeeling, and Cha Thai (which is from my country). Only this time that I happen to sit next to the owner of this uber chic establishment (he is also from Thailand) that something memorable to my tea experience has happened. I have, of course, read about him here and there from time to time on magazines when I was in Bangkok but what really makes me recognise him is the nervousness of the waiters who fall over themselves making us comfortable. The result was divine!
Being asked of reccommendation du jour, the handsome blond waiter in white linen suit explains to me in French with anxiety given the fact that his boss was right behind him. I am in the mood for some more drama so I pretend to not speak French which is not hard to do because of my Thai face and my Siamese smile asking him to re-explain about the tea and take us to the tour of the pastries. The waiter now has to deliver his speech in English, perspiring with difficulty and suggests the Fleur du Desir, flower of desire- wouldn't you just adore this name? So I ordered it and Voila! It was too Marie Antoinette for words!!!
Mariage Freres
30, rue du Bourg Tibourg
75004 Paris
metro: Hotel de Ville
