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Parisian Treats, Island Inspired

Columns Jus' Desserts

January 26, 2014

Story By: Nicole Monton | Photos by: Leah Friel

JJ’s Bistro & French Pastry in Kaimuki has been providing its customers with amazing French-inspired pastries for 15 years, and executive pastry chef and owner JJ Luangkhot says that the more than 40 pastries available for purchase are the “all-star” team of desserts.

“They are the most popular pastries,” he adds. “We don’t follow what’s on the market. We just work with what inspires us. For the past 15 years that we’ve been in Hawaii, people really enjoy what we have.”

It’s challenging to choose just one pastry from the wide range of options available, but you can snag a couple (or more) every day of the week, as JJ Bistro & French Pastry has been recognized as the home of the famous Chocolate Pyramid.

Chocoholics also love Frou Frou an Chocolate ($4.95), a white chocolate mousse creation that is sure to please.

White cake is the foundation of this dessert beautified by white chocolate and strawberries covered with a dark chocolate ganache. The flower-like topping makes for added flair and crunch.

For those craving a fruitier flavor, JJ Bistro & French Pastry also offers Lady in Red Guava Bavarian ($4.95).

“This is more like a Hawaiian fruit that we combine with local and French flavors,” Luangkhot explains. “Usually the guava cake can be too colorful with not enough flavor. We focus more on the flavor and presentation.”

Black Currant Cassie ($4.95) also is a must-have and features black currant mousse topped with fresh berries.

Trained in Paris and New York City, Luangkhot incorporates New York Cheese-cake into his very own Lilikoi Cheesecake ($5.25), made with a graham cracker crust and topped with lilikoi glaze.

Aside from the desserts that showcase traces of Paris and its elegance, the interior decor of the establishment has some resemblance to the fabulous city as well.

And Luangkhot says that Hawaii was the perfect place for the French bistro, as he is able to combine local flavors with French desserts that make for a great treat anytime of day.

JJ’s Bistro & French Pastry

3447 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
739-0993
Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Honolulu, HI 96816

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