La Vie En Rose@Lebuh Melayu
La Vie En Rose at Lebuh Melayu is the older of the two French patisseries on the same street. The other is the more upmarket Moment Bistro and Cafe just down the road which serves hot lunches and fancy macaroons, tarts and French Brest. Unlike Moment, La Vie’s menu is just coffee and French pastries. According to one of its proprietors La Vie started out in KL eight years ago, but moved to its current Penang location about two years ago.
It seems to be highly popular with Millennials. Upon my arrival at around 3pm, La Vie was already packed with diners on its two floors. The standouts on La Vie’s menu are the Tiramisu desserts served in jam jars and the almond croissants. Also popular at La Vie are the French version of the American donut called beignets - fried dough stuffed with custard or cream in various flavours. Service is friendly and efficient.
Prices of the artisanal pastries (hand made on the premises in the bakery at the back of house) are I think slightly higher than at the chain bakeries that dot Penang like Like A Loaf or Bread History. I think the Tiramisu dessert RM18 is good value for money 👍. Although the price is $$$, the serving is more than 2x the size found elsewhere. I liked the mascarpone and the biscuit topped with chocolate. You can actually watch how the Tiramisu desserts at La Vie are prepared by the kitchen crew through the glass panelled kitchen.
