Bûche de Noël 2023 at the Plaza Athénée: Mont Plaza, a snowy trompe-l'oeil for the holidays

The festive season is a time to rediscover the joys of childhood and enjoy the enchantment of the capital. Now more than ever, Paris lives up to its title of City of Light, and it's hard not to get caught up in the magic of Christmas. The magic of Christmas comes into its own when you're finally reunited with your family and loved ones around a festive table, usually featuring exceptional dishes and comfort foods, before exchanging gifts at the foot of the tree. That's what Christmas is all about: the pleasure of giving, the joy of receiving and, above all, the time we take to enjoy a good moment with those we love.

So, for epicureans, it's the perfect excuse to treat loved ones to gourmet delights and discoveries! And when it comes to the long-awaited moment for sweet tooths, the arrival of the Bûchede Noël, it's not without a touch of mischief that some people have fun surprising their guests with exceptional creations. And since Paris is home to so many fine addresses, we might as well make the most of it!

The Plaza Athénée's Yule log is the perfect way to give your guests a foretaste of the ski season, while bringing your festive meal to a fitting close. Behind the creation of this log, we find the tandem of pastry chefs Angelo Musa and Élisabeth Hot, who unveil a snow-covered mountain, Mont Plaza. A beautiful, graphic trompe-l'oeil at the foot of which are a few fir trees, and a chocolate cable car linking the foot of the mountain to its high peaks brings a touch of avant-ski to the table!

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Beneath the Mont Plaza lies an original reinterpretation of a classic French pastry: the Mont Blanc. But under the guidance of duo Angelo Musa and Élisabeth Hot, you can expect a tasting worthy of the palace's reputation. Here, the star is the Ardèche chestnut! This log will appeal to chestnut afficionados among those who tend to prefer the natural flavor of this dried fruit to its candied cousin, marron glacé. The cookie is topped with a ganache, a creamy mousse and an airy mousse, the scent of which, faithful to that of hot chestnuts, comes from an infusion of roasted chestnuts.

While we've become accustomed to seeing blackcurrants used in various Mont-Blanc revisits to break up the rather sweet meringue usually associated with it, Angelo Musa and Elisabeth Hot have shown originality by preferring mandarin instead, which soaks a brioche insert, bringing a note that's both regressive and refreshing to the whole.

This log for 8 people is priced at 125€ and is available on reservation from December 4, 2023 for collection from Friday December 22 to Tuesday December 26 inclusive, from 11am to 3pm and from 6pm to 11pm at the Galerie de l'Hôtel Plaza Athénée. Make sure you order it at least 72 hours before D-day!