Christophe Michalak unveils his first coffee shop at Printemps Haussmann - he tells us all about it!

You know Christophe Michalak, the pastry chef who never stops and always surprises us with his creations? Well, he's just given us a new gift! The chef has inaugurated his very first coffee shop in the heart of Printemps Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement. And since we're gourmets, and custards are our thing, we went along to meet him!

Located on the first floor of Printemps de l'Homme, this 160 m² space has been designed as a true bubble of relaxation in the midst of the Parisian hustle and bustle. Architect Marie Deroudilhe, who designed the latest Michalak Paris boutiques, has created a contemporary, elegant setting that makes you want to put down your suitcases right away.

"Why a coffee shop? Because I've had a passion for coffee for 10 years," confides Christophe Michalak. "I make my own flat white at home. I discovered it a long time ago in Australia with my wife. As someone who doesn't like espresso, I love coffee with frothed milk. Espresso with milk is almost like a pastry". This Australian discovery marked a turning point in the approach of the chef, who had long dreamed of creating a complete universe around coffee and patisserie.

For his specialty coffees, Christophe Michalak chose to partner with Brûlerie des Gobelins, which roasts classic Arabicas, notably from Ethiopia. "I did a hundred tastings and chose what I liked," he explains. This artisanal approach is also reflected in his partnership with Nicolas Berger for chocolate, preferring to work with specialists rather than produce everything in-house.

Christophe Michalak admits to being a big kid. When he got fed up with going to other people's shops for a croissant or a pain au chocolat, he started his own bakery! Then he realized that his pleasure also lay in dipping his croissant in his coffee, and so the idea of opening coffee shops was born. For him, coffee means pastries and viennoiserie, accompanied by a hot drink.

The major innovation of this opening is the Michalak mini-flans, an exclusive creation developed especially for the occasion. The mini-flans are available in several flavors: vanilla (the signature), red raspberry, chocolate, pistachio oriental and chestnut cream. An innovation that revisits the traditional flan, a specialty that Christophe Michalak has mastered from the outset, since he was the first to popularize the pastry-free flan at the Plaza Athénée. Here, we discover a flan to be eaten well chilled, unctuous and without contour, placed on a very present shortbread, we love it.

Another signature specialty of the coffee shop are the wheat flour-free cake slices, a real gourmet nugget. "These are my signature wheat-flour-free cake slices. So a very melt-in-the-mouth cake with fruit jelly or ganache", explains the chef. These ultra-moist creations offer a particularly successful gluten-free alternative.

Viennoiserie also takes pride of place, with a signature pain au chocolat that testifies to the chef's exacting standards. "I make my own chocolate bar, which is 14 or 15 grams, whereas a normal chocolate bar is 2 grams. We make a huge chocolate bar with 80% milk chocolate, 20% dark chocolate and a little fleur de sel". This gourmet approach is also reflected in the Scandinavian brioches, baked using a special technique to obtain a soft texture on the inside and a colorful exterior.

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Among the must-try products at the Michalak Coffee Shop is the ultra-gourmand kouign amann , with butter at its heart and a topping syrup that will delight fans of Breton viennoiserie revisited. Coffees and other gourmet beverages form the heart of the offer, with creations that transform every break into a moment of pleasure. Salads offer a fresh alternative for lunch breaks.

The space benefits from the Michalak group's centralized production, based in Rungis, which supplies all the Paris boutiques. "We have a large laboratory in Rungis," explains the pastry chef. This organization ensures consistent quality throughout the network, which now comprises ten boutiques.

Other specialties include the famous marshmallow bears that Christophe Michalak was the first to create in Paris at the Plaza Athénée. "You can make up your own box where you have dark chocolate bears, but we put pistachios, hazelnuts, dark chocolate or milk chocolate in. You choose, you do what you want". This personalization testifies to the attention paid to the customer experience.

The Michalak Coffee Shop fits in perfectly with Printemps Haussmann 's strategy of developing its gourmet itinerary. This initiative aims to enrich the shopping experience by combining fashion, beauty and gastronomy in an iconic location. For Christophe Michalak, this seventh Parisian address, after the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and his Café Michalak, represents an important step in his development strategy.

The choice of the Printemps Haussmann store was no accident. Christophe Michalak used to have a corner at Printemps du Goût, and this ground-floor space had always appealed to him. When he saw that the department store was looking to relaunch its café, he jumped at the chance to open his first coffee shop there. This collaboration is part of a relationship of trust already established with the brand, enabling the chef to fully deploy his vision in a prime location in the heart of Paris.

In the words of the pastry chef, the ambience of the place has been designed as "a gourmet oasis in the heart of the bustling Haussmann area". Marie Deroudilhe's contemporary design creates an environment conducive to relaxation, whether for a morning coffee, a lunch break or a snack with friends. Its proximity to the Opéra and the Grands Boulevards makes it an ideal base for Parisians and visitors alike.

Who is this new Michalak Coffee Shop aimed at? We're on the higher end of the price scale, as with other pastry shops by top chefs, but one thing's for sure: gourmet delights are on the menu. This address will appeal to lovers of exceptional patisserie who don't hesitate to invest in quality, tourists in search of an authentically Parisian experience, and Printemps Haussmann regulars who want to extend their shopping session with a refined gourmet break.

In short, we note: Le Coffee Shop Michalak - Printemps de l'Homme, entrance 2 rue du Havre, Paris 9e - Open every day from 8.30am to 8pm - Official website - Metro: Havre-Caumartin, Opéra

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.