Le Meurice and Cédric Grolet celebrate the holidays with the "Dalí Bûche de Noël". And, hitting the pistachio pastry jackpot in Paris!

Afternoon coffee is a deliciously decadent affair at Le Meurice!

After finishing a spicy Korean lunch last Sunday afternoon, Stéphane, Édouard and I started chatting about pistachio flavored pastries, or the lack of them, in Paris. If this sounds like a rather unusual topic of conversation, let me explain that Stéphane and Édouard take their pastries seriously ... very seriously ... and fondly recall the individual attributes of their favorite ones. Since neither of my pastry tasting buddies could think of a French dessert featuring pistachios, imagine my delight when Cédric Grolet, the talented pastry chef at Le Meurice, introduced me to a couple of his fabulous new creations.

Cédric's interpretation of the traditional Paris Brest features choux pastry filled with pistachio mousseline cream and pistachio praline and is decorated with ground pistachios and caramelized pistachios. After savoring each and every bite, I sent Stéphane an exultant text message saying that I had just won the pistachio pastry jackpot.

Another one of Cédric's tantalizing creations is a golden hazelnut pastry. Its liquid caramel hazelnut center is surrounded by a hazelnut mousse, all of which is enrobed by an extra fine, milk chocolate shell. Gorgeously presented on a delicate Bernardaud painted porcelain plate, it's an artistic treat for the eyes and the mouth.

Le Meurice and Cédric Grolet's Dalí Bûche de Noël 

To celebrate the holidays and its upcoming 180th anniversary, Le Meurice and Cédric Grolet are paying homage to the hotel's most legendary guest: Salvador Dalí. Every December for thirty years, the famous Surrealist and brilliant artist took up residence at Le Meurice.

This Christmas, Le Meurice invites you to indulge in an exclusive Bûche de Noël decorated with Dalí's iconic melting clock. Starting with a crunchy chocolate biscuit base, the Yule log cake features a honey-glazed pear center between chocolate buckwheat biscuits. It's then encased in velvety dark chocolate mousse, creating a smoky flavor with authentic woody notes.

You can experience Le Meurice's Dalí Bûche de Noël for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner at Restaurant Le Dalí from December 16 to 31, 2014. The price is €16 per portion or 115€ for a log (8 persons), upon request from now until the 16th of December. Orders can be placed via +33144581004 or restaurantledali.lmp@dorchestercollection.com

Inspired by Dalí's painting, The Persistence of Memory, the Bûche de Noël has been approved by the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí.

Holiday decorations at Le Meurice in Paris