A taste of Paris: the first-ever Ladurée flagship in Southeast Asia opens this July

As with each Ladurée location around the world, a local chef is tasked with injecting their own unique flair into the menu. A graduate of Enderun Colleges, executive chef Katrina Torres joins the team, having honed her skills through internships at Makati Shangri-La and the Four Seasons Hualalai in Hawaii. Additionally, she has worked in the prestigious kitchens of Alain Ducasse in Paris and Jean-Georges Vongerichten in New York. Most recently, she spent six weeks in Paris to train at the Ladurée lab to perfect her pastry craft. "When curating the menu for the Philippines, I will be using a blend of imported ingredients to maintain the standards of Ladurée's dishes. At the same time, I’m proud to incorporate some of the freshest local produce, carefully sourced from within the Philippines. I personally select each ingredient to ensure we use only what is most flavorful, seasonal, and of the highest quality," Torres elaborates. 

At the soon-to-open Ladurée Café and Salon de Thé Philippines, diners can return visit on multiple occasions without repeating a single meal, easily enjoying a delightful array of tasty options. With its thoughtfully curated menu, the restaurant caters to the Filipino palate while retaining the brand’s most celebrated flavours. “I made sure to uphold Ladurée’s philosophy of creating not just food, but experience—where each plate feels luxurious, beautiful and thoughtfully crafted,” Gopwani says. Starting with breakfast, diners can enjoy a wide variety of freshly baked pastries paired with Ladurée Café’s signature coffee.

I’ve put a lot of thought into our Salon de Thé menu, making sure there’s something special for every part of the day— whether you're joining us for breakfast, lunch, high tea, or dinner. I wanted each dish to feel like an experience," comments executive chef Torres. At lunch, guests on the go can choose the croque monsieur for something easy and reliably delicious. If you have more time on your hands, stay and dine in to indulge in items from the full menu, such as the flaky and delicate vol-au-vent. “We considered Ladurée’s dishes while also embracing the unique qualities of local ingredients and preferences in the Philippines. Every savoury dish reflects the same values that made Ladurée iconic: elegance, attention to detail, refined techniques and a sense of indulgence,” Gopwani embelishes. 

High tea at Ladurée is a must; it features a delightful combination of classic French desserts and savoury selections to pair with the iconic Marie-Antoinette and Jardin Bleu Royal infusions. “Our teas are directly from Paris and exclusive for Ladurée,” Torres quips.

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In the evening, when things have quieted down for a romantic atmosphere, guests can enjoy an expansive menu. At night, enjoy our dinner menu, which includes entrées, mains, and more signature dishes. To end your meal at Ladurée, you simply can't leave without indulging in one of our iconic desserts—whether it's our famous macarons, the signature Ispahan, or the decadent plaisir sucré. You’ll find a mix of Ladurée classics alongside my own creations, crafted especially for the Philippine menu," Torres divulges. 

To ensure the introduction of this new concept to the country would be we-- received, she also ventured to Ladurée Champs-Élysées for further training. Here, she worked alongside their kitchen team to train to develop Ladurée’s savoury Philippine menu. "For the savoury part of the menu, the development process was a careful and collaborative journey with me and the Paris team. We considered Ladurée’s dishes while also embracing the unique qualities of local ingredients and preferences in the Philippines. I even cooked the dishes in Paris for them to taste it. For the pastry selection, we stayed true to Ladurée’s iconic treats, but with a special touch from our Parisian team, who handpicked a few exclusive recommendations just for us. I hope to create an experience where every guest can savour the elegance and charm of Paris, right here in the Philippines. Ultimately, it was all about striking the perfect balance between Ladurée’s signature flavours and the flavours we wish to present to the Filipino palate," she shares. 

Torres also revealed that they will be adapting Ladurée recipes to suit the local palate by incorporating locally-sourced ingredients and adjusting flavours to better align with local preferences. "We’re creating a fusion that complements both local tastes and the classic elegance of Ladurée," she notes. "What makes the Ladurée menu special, is the perfect balance between tradition and innovation, from savoury to sweets," Torres adds.

The Gastronova Group spearheading Ladurée’s re-entry into the Philippines is deadset on changing the game. "Ladurée has always stood for more than just patisserie– it’s about elegance, experience, and creating moments that feel special. Their approach to hospitality is rooted in tradition, beauty, and a quiet kind of luxury that speaks through the details: the service, the space, the quality of each product. It’s not just food; it’s how you feel when you’re surrounded by it. - At Gastronova, we carry that same attention to detail, but with a more daring, Filipino soul. Our vision is to raise the standard of hospitality in the Philippines– not just by being luxurious, but by being intentional, bold, and heartfelt. We want Filipinos to feel something they’ve never felt before from a dining experience: something world-class, yet completely theirs.

Reserve a seat now at gastronovagroup.com/reserve-a-table

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