Famed Japanese patisserie to open here

Henri Charpentier, known for its Crepe Suzette, opens its first overseas outlet at Dempsey

Diners can tuck into the thin sweet crepes of Henri Charpentier’s signature dish Crepe Suzette (above), when the patiserrie opens at Dempsey Hill. -- PHOTO: HENRI CHARPENTIER
Diners can tuck into the thin sweet crepes of Henri Charpentier’s signature dish Crepe Suzette (above), when the patiserrie opens at Dempsey Hill. -- PHOTO: HENRI CHARPENTIER
Diners can tuck into the thin sweet crepes of Henri Charpentier’s signature dish Crepe Suzette, when the patiserrie (above) opens at Dempsey Hill. -- PHOTO: HENRI CHARPENTIER

Renowned French-inspired Japanese patisserie Henri Charpentier will open its first overseas dessert salon at Dempsey Hill.

The brand, founded in 1969 by the late Naokuni Arita and now run by his son Goki, is named after a famous 19th- century French chef who is said to have invented the Crepe Suzette.

Diners can now have the signature dessert, priced at $22, here. It comprises thin sweet crepes served in a hot sauce of fresh orange juice and a combination of liquors.

Madeleines (from $2.90), made with Hokkaido wheat and Jamaican rum, and financiers (from $2.90), made with Hokkaido butter, will be flown in from Japan.

The patisserie also features an exclusive menu for Singapore.

Flower Temptation ($25), for example, is inspired by the Singapore Botanic Gardens and features sauteed crunchy pineapple bits around a parfait of caramel chocolate mousse and dark chocolate mousse, topped with a bowl of sweet-and-sour orange sauce flambeed in front of diners.

It is part of a dessert trolley with three other desserts - strawberry-flavoured Dome ($29), Rouge ($19) and Tatin ($18).

Coupe Peche ($21), a revised version of the same dessert served in Japan, features peach compote, homemade custard, vanilla ice cream and peach sauce. A warm lime puree caramel sauce, made in front of diners, is served with the dessert.

An assortment of fresh cream cakes baked daily will also be available for dine-in and takeaway.

The 4,400 sq ft outlet will include an 80-seat dining area (50 people indoors, with alfresco dining for 30 diners), retail section and a museum corner showcasing the brand's history.

Henri Charpentier, which began as a small cafe in Japan's Hyogo prefecture, now has more than 100 shops in department stores throughout Japan.

euniceq@sph.com.sg

Henri Charpentier opens on Oct 9 at 9A Dempsey Road, from 11am to 10pm daily.

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