Review: A Gatineau Christmas

It’s December, and the festive season is in full swing at Gatineau, my favourite French bakery in Oxford. Yes, they still have their delicious baguettes, croissants, and tarts, but now the shop is jammed with holiday treats, from little chocolate Christmas trees to sourdough mince pie bread, to luscious individual mince pies.

And best of all, it’s time for the Christmas Bûche de Noël: a traditional French Yule log cake that is quite simply divine.

Gatineau’s is an especially luxurious chocolate confection, hand made in the Summertown bakery. When I was there recently, Hervé (Gatineau), the owner and head pastry chef, was on site overseeing the artisanal production. Bravo Hervé – it was top notch quality. A dark chocolate macaron and crunchy praline feuilletine base, topped with a dark chocolate mousse with a milky Caramelia chocolate centre, all covered with a salted dark chocolate glaze. We’re talking full sensory satisfaction. The kind of elegant dessert that invokes a quiet hush of enjoyment before the full feel-good sugar rush.

I tried one of the individual bûches while sipping an espresso at the Gatineau window counter and highly recommend this option for a bit of elevenses self-care.

Though larger versions are available if you want to take one home to share. And don’t hesitate to load up on other patisserie treats from the beautiful display – pistachio, raspberry, passion fruit, and more – t’is the season to indulge!