We found Carette almost by accident, when someone proposed meeting there, as it’s a little out of our usual catchment area in the posh neighbourhood around the Eiffel Tower. We were immediately seduced by its old school warmth and – above all – the amazing macaroons. But there’s a lot more to the place than that. So we decided to go for brunch and taste as much as we could!

Sometimes you just feel like treating yourself, you know? A bit of good old French nostalgia and some nice nosh. It’s not as easy to find in Paris as you might think, so it was a great pleasure to come across Carette, a genteel tea room in the smart 16th arrondissement that doesn’t seem to have a changed since it was founded in 1927. As it happens, it was completely restored about ten years ago, but in the exact same style as before, and with at least some of the original fittings intact. Most of what you see however, is practically brand new, and yet surprisingly authentic-looking, with old-style mosaic floors, large mirrors and art déco lights…

Even the sign to the toilets is pure class, with velvet curtains on either side…

The main space serves as the restaurant and tea room, with their patisserie selection sold down one side. The selection of cakes and pastries is mouthwatering, and the macaroons are perhaps the best in town (with a price tag to match).

The staff are all impeccably dressed and even have time for a quick chat is you’re feeling fearless. There’s space between the tables and the overall feel of the place is one of refined calm.

And so, getting ourselves into the feel of things we decided to kick back, like the lads of leisure we are, order a glass of wine and spoil ourselves. My companion decided on the brunch, with toast and scrambled eggs, and I went for the club sandwich. The toast came first, wrapped up in its little serviette, followed by the swirls of butter, little pots of jam, brioche and coffee served in an impossible heavy metal pot.

The scrambled eggs and tomato were not far behind, including two little filo pastry. Presentation is definitely their strong point.

My  club sandwich was large, accompanied by a large blob of coleslaw, and although the think slices of bread made it a little dry, the preparation of the tuna was very obviously accomplished. Once again, the presentation was impeccable.

Of course there’s always room for dessert at Carette (it would be a sin not to indulge), and although the selection of five small macaroons was tempting, we plumped for a Mont Blanc (meringue, chestnut paste and vanilla-flavoured whipped cream) and a black forest gateau. Yum !

Ooof! One things we didn’t eat this time round (basically, we forgot) is Carette’s tramezzini, sort of mini sandwiches with no crust. But we did manage to get a shot of one…

We’ll just have to go back again!

Carette is at 4 place du Trocadéro (here). They are open every day from 7am – midnight.

Offical site: www.carette-paris.com