Laurent (City)

Ph: (03) 9654 1011; 306 Little Collins St, Melbourne 3000

French, $, ** for Food
Open Mon-Thur 8am-6pm, Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm, Closed Christmas Day, Good Friday, New Years Day; Licensed; BC, MC, V, Seats inside 120, Outside seats 40

Mietta's Review
Laurent opened his city shop and cafe in this lovely 1920's building on the corner of Little Collins St and the Causeway in April. The glamorous style and fit out has really upped the ante for other bakery cafes in town. From the swirly L set into Italian green and white tiles to the huge iron lights, curved staircase, rows of French imported gleaming display cases for the huge range of cakes, breads, filled rolls and baguettes to the very swish staff uniforms. The corner position with the elegant tall windows lets in plenty of light, but there are tables outside too. As with the other Laurent shops, the patisserie is very impressive. You can order special cakes and take them away on their own Laurent plates, with their gold Laurent lettering on imported porcelain. A clever gift idea. And, to help you believe that you've been transported to one of the many lovely Art Nouveau bars in Paris, you can have a glass of champagne with your tart here during the day and till 9pm on Thursday and Friday. Also at Shop 2/ 71 Church St Brighton, 9592 8411; 109 Dundas Pl Albert Park, 9690 4700; Shp 3/ 310 Whitehorse Rd Balwyn, 9830 0188; 600 Burke Rd Camberwell, 9882 9611; 1 Powlett St East Melbourne, 9417 7310; 139 Upper Heidelberg Rd Ivanhoe, 9497 3844; Shop 2/ 26 Princess St Kew, 9853 7900; Como Centre Shop Tr16 Chapel St (cnr Toorak Rd) South Yarra, 9824 1414; 477 Toorak Rd Toorak, 9827 6928

Other published opinions

Virgin Airlines, Melbourne Guide,April/May 2002,'offers decadent pastries,quiches and cakes to tempt you off the footpath'