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Delancey St (F)
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Essex St (J, M, Z)
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Tue-Thu 12 pm - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 12 pm - 9:30 pm
Sun 12 pm - 7 pm
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185 reviews for Bisous Ciao
Review Highlights
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"JASMINE + GREEN TEA -- perfectly balanced." In 26 reviews -
"J'adore the sleek decor and motley array of macarons." In 90 reviews -
"with my personal favorite being the salted caramel." In 52 reviews
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184 reviews in English
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Review from Ariel D.
Manhattan, NY
5/21/2012
I've been to this gorgeous 5th Avenue store front in the LES often enough to have tried every. Single. Flavor. Some are better than others, but none disappoint.
Definitely get the vanilla, violet, and salted caramel if you're ever indecisive about what to order! And then, go across the street the D'Espresso, order a latte, have yourself a seat, forget about everything, slowly eat your macarons and drink your coffee, people watch, breathe, and enjoy life. -
Review from R Y.
Manhattan, NY
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm writing this review on behalf of my friend who I gave their macarons.
She absolutely loved them. I got her 6 piece gift set for $16.50. The guy working here Saturday evening was helpful and friendly. I got salted caramel and vanilla on his recommendation. Also purchased 2 Gianduja, which is hazelnut and milk chocolate mix like nutella, which is my friend's favorite spread. On a whim I purchased Strawberry and Mandarin + Wasabi.
My friend was gracious enough to share a bit of Mandarin + Wasabi and Gianduja. Gianduja did taste like nutella with a slight crunch from the shell. Honestly, I couldn't taste the Wasabi in the Mandarin + Wasabi, but I took such a small bite all I tasted was the chocolate ganache in the center with the hint of Mandarin.
Either way, my friend was pleased with the macarons from Biscous Ciao and said would go there herself to pick up more in the future. Cute box, pretty black bag with pink bow and delicious macarons- great place to pick some up for yourself or friends who are crazy about good macarons. -
Review from Jackie F.
New York, NY
4/28/2012
I know macarons are all the rage right now, but I'm totally digging the trend!
Bisous Ciao is an adorable bakery that only does macarons. I came in with the roomie after our dinner date and went home with half a dozen macarons. What I love is that they package their macarons in fancy little boxes, making for super cute fancy-looking gifts.
As for the selection, they usually have about 10-12 flavors available at a time. My favorites are lavender + honey, rose, and hibiscus + rhubarb. I like their minimalist approach - makes it easy to make your selections without getting confused and overwhelmed! -
Review from Andrew C.
5/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good macaroons, though not as good as some of the other options in Manhattan. Avoid their buttercream-based items; the flavor gets lost in all the fat. Their standout items are the rose, jasmine green tea, and chair macaroons. It's a bit annoying that they charge for a cardboard box with dividers. If you pass on this option, your overpriced (by Californian standards) macaroons will bounce off each other leaving you with a big box of macaroon powder. Not cool. 3 stars between the meh-items and box pricing shenanigans.
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Review from Mei E.
Manhattan, NY
5/9/2012 1 photo
These macaroons are just okay. We bought pistachio, lemon, jasmine+green tea, walnut+apricot, almond and rose flavored macaroons for $15 @ $2.50 each. Most of the macaroons were just too sweet. The one that tasted anything like their names were lemon and jasmine+green tea. Jasmine+green tea was probably the only one I enjoyed, though the flavoring was not there. These macaroons really pale in comparison to Le maison du Macaron, and at the same price. The flavor is just not there.
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Review from Jake D.
Brooklyn, NY
3/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Delicious macarons with a variety of flavors. Salted caramel which apparently is the best seller was great but my favorite was the pistachio. Also tried grapefruit ginger and yuzu.
Great place to get a simple gift. They really box everything up nicely. Only minor complaint is that it's priced a smidge high. Not a deal breaker though. -
Review from Tina Y.
Manhattan, NY
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
They have my heart! The place tucked away in the lower east side, was very clean and elegant - very different from its surrounding neighborhood. Got up to the counter and saw maybe 15 flavors. When the guy behind the counter asked if we wanted 6 or 12, I didn't want to be greedy so ordered 6. Only after carefully selecting our 6 flavors did we realize that it would have been cheaper if we ordered a dozen, since they charge you for the insert to protect the macarons from squishing. Now we know - next time we shall be greedy and order a dozen!
Salted caramel - too hyped, to sweet and too sticky (try La Maison du Chocolate for caramel - they do it really well.)
My favorite - Jasmine Green Tea!
The texture of these macaroons were just right, soft and flakey, yet not chewy. The flavors were perfectly balanced with the exception of salted caramel.
Will definitely go back to try all the other flavors.Listed in: Favorites!
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Review from Janice C.
Philadelphia, PA
5/6/2012
So cute, so good. Enough said. ($2.50/macaron FYI)
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Review from Steven L.
Manhattan, NY
3/17/2012 2 photos
As a frequent customer, I regularly come here for a small dessert after dinner.
It was St Patrick's day and they had a flavor dedicated to celebrate this special lucky day. It ended it being very special indeed.
The St Patrick's day macaroon had a mix of dark chocolate, baileys cream, and espresso? But that wasn't the best part of the macaroon. Bisous Ciao purposely stamped a Four Leaf Clover on only one of their St Patrick's day macaroon. When I picked it, the employee said: "WOW! You choose the one with a four leaf clover! You get a Box of 6 Macaroons for free!!!!"
I originally came here to order only 3, but left with 9 macaroons, and only for the price of 3!
Happy St Patty's day!!! -
Review from Isis W.
Potomac, MD
4/3/2012 6 photos
Delicious macarons! Not to mention an incredibly cute store name.
They have the perfect amount of crunchiness and softness all in one bite. I tried the pistachio, rose, and jasmine&green tea flavors and loved all three. Compared to other places, I would say they are fairly generous with the cream in the middle as well.
Decor is very simple. There's not much in the store other than the macaron case and the register. No seating. -
Review from Wing L.
2/26/2012
The key to my heart is macarons. Colorful, vibrant, sweet, the textures, and the variety of flavors, what's not to love with these pastries? I also am lucky to have friends who enjoy macarons. Thanks to Rachel A., I had confidence entering this little gem of a spot:
$15 will get you a very nice box of 6. Samples included pistachio, salted caramel, cherry, expresso, jasmine and green tea, and lemon.
The macarons all had a consistent texture and when bitten, did not crumble in pieces. The fillings all had a distinct flavor, and it was not all just sweetness.
1. Pistachio = nutty flavor; like eating pistachio but without the need to crack the shells. Happiness!
2. Salted Caramel: like eating salted caramel popcorn. Sweet and savory. Life's good.
3. Cherry- for those that enjoy tart, this will give you a satisfied sour face.
4. Expresso- rich coffee in a pastry? Wake up!
5. Jasmine and Green tea: definitely had the floral taste complimented by a slight bitterness of the green tea. Konnichiwa!
6. Lemon: tangy and sweet. When life gives you lemons, squeeze them to make lemon macarons.
Ciao Biscous! Until we meet again (which will be sooner than later!) -
Review from Elle L.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 4/13/2012 35 photos
oh how much i have missed you so bisous ciao!
and perfect timing for the new seasonal flavors too :)
i forgot to get the strawberry one, but i got all the rest
of the s/s 2012: yuzu, apricot+walnut, and mandarin+wasabi
also, they had the limited cherry blossom flavor-love!
plus my favorite jasmine+green tea! and gianduja! yum!
still costs $15 for 6 without the inserts, and the decor is
made with rosesand pink macarons :D love love loveListed in: NYC Macarons
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/27/2012
what a happy, glorious day.
i really love bisous ciao's macarons.
in my opinion, i think they're the… Read more »
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Review from Mich L.
3/15/2012
The space of this place is plain and simple so the main focal point is the colorful array of fresh macaron here. An individual macaron costs $2.50 and buying a set of 6 with no inserts will cost $15.00 -- with the insert will cost another dollar and some change. (so you're paying for the insert and you get no macaron volume discount)
Just to give you a heads up, you may consider getting the box insert because the macaron are really delicate and airy so too much shuffling around in the bag will cause some of the macaron to break, as I discovered later on.
The taste of the macaron is superior to a lot of other macaron places in that the filling is super fresh and complements the flavorful outside cookie. The texture has a slightly chewier bite than super airy to it but nevertheless, delicious. (the shuffling in my bag may have affected some of the macaron texture as well.)
My favorite macaron flavors are usually fragrant flower ones like Violet and Rose, which were not overly perfume-y. I also loved Gianduja, which was a hazelnut chocolate. But I really have to say that the Passionfruit macaron surprised me in a pleasant way. It had a sprinkling of cocoa powder on top which gave a nice contrast to the fruity flavor.
I'd actually have to say the only macaron that did not impress me much was the Jasmine & Green Tea. As a fan of all things green tea, I guess my expectations were too high and I somehow desired something more from the macaron. Maybe a more matcha-y flavor. -
Review from Mary P.
3/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
What more can I say for this sexy black and pink macaron parlour that serves high quality macarons with just the right amount of flavor and texture?
This is certainly a treat. And at $2.50 a cookie its not cheap in comparison to other places but the quality is there. I enjoy me some midtown macaron treats from time to time because of the choices available there but this small lower east side patisserie is strong in the lead right now as far as macarons go. My favorite macaron ever does not exist right now. It was a special at the Chocolate room in Brooklyn and I haven't seen it return *crosses fingers*
I enjoyed violet, rose, jasmine with green tea (very much like the tea itself), and the pistachio and almond flavors. The violet is strong in the little cookie, if you have an aversion beware, if you like the Choward's violet candies...its pretty damn awesome.
The only downside is that it really is a shop. You can't really sit and enjoy...you have to carry them away to wherever you are going to. -
Review from Nida K.
3/14/2012 2 photos
Only having had a few macarons my whole life, I never knew that they were such a novelty item. My first macaron was given to me as a gift and from looking at them, you wouldn't think that they would have such a chewy texture.
Bisous Ciao was down the street from where I had dinner and looking in from the outside, it looked like a really high end shop. The store is very simple with it's black and white and all you see through the glass is the display case full of colorful macarons and the cash register. They have about 10 flavors or so and a box of 6 ran for $15. Yes, the cute little box that you put them in is extra.
As pricey as these little confections are, they are quite delightful. The flavor and texture is absolutely exquisite. I can't say that they're the best, but they are pretty good.Listed in: New York City, Baby!, Sweet Victory
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Review from A J.
Manhattan, NY
5/14/2012
I love this place. They have a range of creative flavors. The filling to cookie ratio is just right. The cookie shell is always smooth, with nary a bump in sight (indicating good technique). And the staff is so sweet and cheerful. Buy your trendy macarons here; you'll leave happy.
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Review from Diane H.
New York, NY
3/11/2012
I was never a huge fan of macarons but now I am! I loved everything I got in my box of six! My favorite would have to be the Jasmine & Green Tea, it's light and the flavor was on point = love! I also really enjoyed the Grapefruit & Ginger, hard to describe the flavor but it's not sour and not too sweet. Gianduja tastes like Ferrero Rocher and Pistachio tasted very fresh and delish! The Dark Chocolate is good but can be skipped. The Violet one was very overwhelming, smelled like perfume and tasted like I literally took a bite out of a flower - a hit or miss.
The packaging is super pretty, the service is great and the store is very chic. I will be a regular customer -can't wait to try the other flavors! -
Review from Yasmin N.
River Edge, NJ
4/7/2012
Amazing macarons! These are our must-haves whenever we go there - pistachio, lavander, and salted caramel! My daughter loves the chocolate. I love the vanilla, too...I prefer a 2 dozens of these than roses for Valentine's! I tell everyone how amazing this place is. I tried several other macarons around NYC and this place just serves the best.
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Review from Ed D.
4/7/2012
OMG this is macaron heaven!! We went nuts looking at the number of options that they have for macarons..nibbled on a few and took some to go,,,they were SOOO good..The Coconut, Pistachio, Jasmine Green Tea, Lavender Honey are all MUST TRYS!!
Listed in: The Sweet Tooth
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Review from Nelly N.
Manhattan, NY
5/10/2012
Best Macaroons in NYC. The best thing is that use a special macaroon tong. Unlike all the other places, some sales person touching all your macaroons. They also have boxes with dividers, so your roons won't touch each other. Last thing is that they have a card that shows all the flavors.
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Review from Timothy T.
New York, NY
Are macarons overtaking cupcakes?
The quality and variety are superb. Gourmet flavors in vibrant colors, with a thin and crispy outer layer and nothing but goodness underneath.
As Sona P. said: "this is the best thing that has ever entered my mouth"
The packaging is pretty nice and seals the deal. A 6 pack comes in what resembles a large necklace box, and the bag is tied with a hot pink ribbon. Unnecessary, but nifty. I guess at $2.50 each, they have to use nice packaging to somewhat justify it.
(^_^) Presentation
(^_^) Variety
(^_^) Quality
(^_^) Packaging
(o_O) Bang for buck
Glad I came. I still prefer cupcakes, but I'll recommend this place to any macaron lover.
PROTIP: Don't give your sweetheart chocolates for valentine's day this year - give her/him some Bisous Ciao macarons!Listed in: Must-try Desserts
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Review from Kimberly K.
Manhattan, NY
The macarons at Bisous Ciao are so neatly displayed and taste delicious.
The store is small. There is no seating available, but there is a counter. The employees were friendly and quick. Each of the flavors were lovely but my favorites were the Salted Caramel and Mango.
The outer shell is slightly crisp. The middle is cakey, but still had a nice bite to it. The creamy center was smooth and cool. The flavors here are bold and really hit you. There is no doubt about it, quality ingredients are used to create these little bundles of joy.
At around $2.50 per macaron, they are leaning towards the pricier side. Your goodies will be wrapped up in beautiful packaging. This would be a nice gift for any of your loved ones.Listed in: Get Your Macaron On
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Review from Margarita H.
Manhattan, NY
2/21/2012
I got a box of six but the standout was the jasmine + green tea one.
I think I have to go back and try all their flavors. Their packaging was so pretty I didn't even want to throw it away. -
Review from christopher y.
Manhattan, NY
2/15/2012
A place I always drop by if I'm in the area. While they're not the best macarons in NYC they're certainly in the running.
The macaron selection is pretty broad and the novelty of special occasion macarons (Beer flavor for Father's Day) are where Bisous Ciao make their mark and a special place on my palate.
A must to visit if you're in the area! -
Review from Sue U.
New York, NY
2/17/2012
Whenever I go to Katz for Reuben, I cannot get back home without having my daily sugar fix from here. Frankly, I think this place is a bit pricey but I believe they have the best macaroons in the city. Great interesting flavors you'd think won't work ,but these very nicely balanced salty sweet flavors really rock!! The filling is not too buttery, it's more like a creamy filling and the crustiness and the chewiness of the meringue is really great.
Oh I could not write a review without mentioning the packaging they have. They have adorable black boxes and and black bags with a pink ribbon!! So you treat it as a Tiffany's bag. Good marketing for ribbon fanatics like me!! Yes people, I like to treat my macaroon as a Tiffany's key. -
Review from Michelle C.
Waldwick, NJ
4/12/2012
I love this place! They have by far the best macaroons that i have tasted. The store is small and adorable too!
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Review from Jennifer C.
Floral Park, NY
1/19/2012 2 photos
I love french macarons! I've tried the espresso, hazelnut, and peppermint macarons, and they were all delicious! The macarons come in a nice box with a cute gift bag.
Negative aspects:
-It is a little pricey. $2.50 for one tiny macaron.
-No seating.
I've been craving these macarons ever since! Will def go back. -
Review from Lily C.
Brooklyn, NY
3/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
yay for macaron day! --free macaron :)
But couldnt stop at one. I had to order a few to go...so many choices! The place is so simple but elegant at the same time. Cost 2.50 each. -
Review from Matt E.
3/25/2012
I can appreciate a shop that wants to make one product and do it well. Bisous Ciao is an ultra modern shop that only sell macarons, there is no seating, no drinks, just macarons. They're $2.50 a piece and also have gift packages for larger amounts. They had a decent amount of flavors, nothing that really stood out as completely unique though. The quality of the macarons and service was both great. Unfortunately I'm not a macaron connoisseur so I can explain the subtleties of their product but if you're into these pricey little French desserts than this should be on your list of places to visit on the LES.
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Review from Michelle T.
New York, NY
1/18/2012
I ordered 75 of their green tea + jasmine macarons for a club event and they were perfect! I arrived to pick them up an hour early and they were ready already!
They looked so cute and delicious. When I bit into one, there was a slight crunch but it was very smooth. The granche was spot on - not too sweet at all. These are stop notch macarons.
I will definitely be back to try out their other flavors. -
Review from Ashley J.
1/14/2012
It's trendy, clean, small and no seating. The cashier was extremely nice and helpful.
I got Salted PB and grape jelly, Lemon and Almond. The Almond is insanely good...the flavor was amazing. It was soft and a little chewy, yum.
Same with the PB and jelly....though it didnt wow me like the almond flavor.
The lemon...I don't suggest it. It tasted artificial which made me lose some respect for Bisous Ciao. I don't want to pay 2.50 for a tiny artificially flavored lemon macaroon...but it was the cashiers favorite, which is why I got it. Shoulda got my first choice of the nutella like one (I can't spell the name :p )
I'd come back if I was in the area, to try new flavors and definitely to pick up a few almond macaroons ! -
Review from Jenn E.
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Delicate macarons in both traditional and non-traditional flavors; a solid find in LES and while not quite as flavorful as Laduree or similar shops have a nice bite, fillings and selection.
Bisous Ciao is small; if you weren't looking for it you might not find it. The store itself is Zen-like with stark white walls and minimal decoration forcing the customer to focus on the main event: the rows and rows of macarons.
At $2.50 a pop not cheap but on par with other macaron shops, Bisous Ciao has a good selection. We tried a few with varied results: the orange passion fruit was citrusy with a tangy passion fruit filling, the raspberry had a decent berry flavor but could have been stronger and the salted caramel was the best with a light caramel flavored cookie and gooey, slighty salty caramel filling. -
Review from Andy Y.
Minneapolis, MN
3/27/2012
This one is a wayyyyyyyy better than Laduree's, i think. The rose, dark chocolate, salted caramel, and passion fruits are all good. I personally like lemon a lot! Anyway, I should have bought every single flavor in this one rather than in Laduree. Really!
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Review from Karry L.
3/15/2012 1 photo
Hello Whooopie pies! I would love to give this place a 5 stars if you have seating and serve some drinks so i can enjoy those colorful cuties right there, but instead, i had to curb my urge by carefully carrying it around til I find a nice cup of tea to go w it! And I enjoyed every bite of it, even though it only took me the most 3 bites per macaron! you can imagine how I savoring each bites! My favorites are green tea jasmine, grapefruit ginger and pistachio! I was told there will be seasonal flavors as well! look forward to come back for summer flavors such as coconuts!
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Review from Vincent T.
Brooklyn, NY
12/27/2011
Jasmine Green Tea
That is all. -
Review from Yuna D.
11/26/2011
I'm not a macaron fan. At all.
Having said that, if a place can win over someone who hates the texture and taste of macarons, that place deserves 5 stars. That place is also Bisous Ciao.
I received a box of Macarons recently as a dinner party gift and it was wonderful. They're so pretty and fragrant. I tried the green tea (which was great) & the rose one and it smelled nice; I just don't like the Fleur collection. The classic chocolate is delicious!
This place won me over with the texture. I can't say anything about the location because I haven't been there personally.
Would make a really great gift! -
Review from Sandy K.
Germantown, MD
12/2/2011
(reposting this from a new account, but when I first posted a review there were only about 7 for Bisous Ciao. Nice to see that this place is gaining publicity)
I've had the beautiful misfortune of living in Paris... leaving me to be a bit of a macaroon snob.
Flavors I've tried in order of favorites:
Jasmine + Green Tea [WOW, even the Parisians haven't gotten this down. A++ and a gros bisous for Bisous Ciao for creating this flavorful concoction]
Blood Orange [blood oranges tend to be a bit tart-y, but the hint of dark chocolate really adds to the flavor. It's a fiesta in your mouth]
Salted Caramel [I have a severe obsession with salted caramel. I've had the salted caramel macaroons in Paris and can concede that Bisous ciao's macaroons come pretty darn close to the best... ]
Pistachio+Vanilla can be grouped together. Both were delicious.
What really makes this place stand out among the other aspiring macaroon bakeries is that they have the texture down. The shell crumbles perfectly and is complemented with a textured and substantial center. It's not "bready" at all which really merits an A+.
Definitely going back. To Paris, I mean. Oh and Bisous Ciao. -
Review from K D.
New York, NY
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love macarons. I would rather have macarons than cupcakes. But really, I like both.
Since this place is just a quick walk from where I live, it's become my go-to place to pick up a present for a birthday, housewarming, etc. on my way to the celebration. I'm pretty sure a box of macarons from this place will make anyone happy - and it's not that expensive either. I've had quite a few of the flavors but my favorite is probably the salted caramel. You can't really go wrong with any of the flavors though. -
Review from Winnie T.
New York, NY
11/7/2011
PASTACIO -- out of the world
JASMINE + GREEN TEA -- perfectly balanced
I have been a fan of Financier's macarons for years. But the delicate, fragrant creaminess of the buttercream differentiates these macarons from others.
I have not tried Maison Laduree's but... there isn't a crazy line of 50 people waiting in front of Bisous Ciao. Plus it's next to Stanton Social, so you can stop by for a cocktail or a perfect doughnut dessert. -
Review from Olivier D.
Manhattan, NY
2/20/2012
I read a lot a good reviews and decided to go since I live few blocks from bisous chao. I'm a bit disappointed by the products ... compared to the macarons I was used to get in Paris for years at Laduree or Pierre Herme.
The packaging are very nice, service is excellent too.
- Pistachio: the pistachio paste inside the ganache had a bad taste. Try pure sicilian and you'll get something else
- Lemon: too sweet, kind of lemon curd mixed with a meringue
- Peanut: too sweet, go to wholefoods and grind your fresh peanut butter just to compare the taste a good peanut butter has
- Raspberry was ok: kind of jam, decent taste
- Salted caramel: caramel too sweet and unsalted.
Only the passion fruit was very good: best macaron I had, nice milk chocolate and passion fruit puree ganache.
Also some shelves were too soft, almost a bit soggy... maybe because of the vent in their display. And some others were too chewy.
Nice people, nice packaging but I've experienced much better macarons.
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