The Le Méridien Éclair

Aug 062014

Edited by Denise Mattia

A National Chocolate Éclair Day? Why not. Tripwich attended a Le Méridien Éclair event at the Little Owl in Greenwich Village and was treated to an array of hors d’oeuvres that were paired perfectly with Chartogne Taillet, a crisp champagne from Merfy, on the southern slope of the Massif de Saint-Thierry in the Montagne de Reims region. Modern twists on the Parisian treat were in store: little, delightfully sweet, cream-filled éclairs.

Award-winning pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini, who, as part of the worldwide Le Méridien resorts and hotels new culinary program, instructed guests on the art of making the perfect eclair. Each received his/her own creation neatly packed in an Eclair box.

Le Méridien hotels around the world will continue to feature a variety of destination- inspired éclairs, offering guests an authentic taste of the local culture, from the Maple Bacon Éclair and Texas Honey Pecan Éclair at Le Méridien Dallas by the Galleria to the Dulce de Leche Éclair, infused with coconut, from Le Méridien Panama. In Germany, Le Méridien Munich will offer a savory éclair with goat cheese, cranberry and pumpernickel crumbs, while Le Méridien Bangkok will feature a citrus-inspired treat with mango, lime and ginger.

The Le Méridien éclair programme comes on the heels of the brand’s recent announcement of a new global beverage programme, Le Méridien Sparkling, inspired by the European aperitif culture. Launched in 2011, the signature Le Méridien HubTM re-interprets the traditional hotel lobby into a social gathering place, building on the brand’s award-winning arrival experience: Large-scale artworks are located in high impact areas, while sound and light create sensory experiences, and the UNLOCK ARTTM program offers access to Le Méridien affiliated contemporary cultural centers in the city.

About Denise Mattia

A writer and photographer, Denise Mattia’s works are published nationally and internationally and include all aspects of leisure travel: art , culture, resorts, spas, food and wine and sports’ activities. She's the founder of the soon to be launched Yum-Yum-Traveler, a site devoted to reviewing restaurants in addition to her travel articles from around the world. She lives and works in Manhattan, where she was born.