Maison Robert - Fine Chocolates - Pastries
When I first moved to Atlanta in 2000, I immediately headed out to the smaller communities scouting out a location for my "new antique booth." The City of Chamblee offered a lovely "antique row" so off I went to check it out. Following my tour, I decided to meander around the area to see how much it had changed since my last visit in 1985. I took a turn down a quiet little road and came upon a small white house, clean-neat, and with a sign in the front which said:
It was mid afternoon and quiet in the day so I pulled in to see what Maison Robert offered. My eyes looked at the picture window in the front of the house and there sat a man, quietly piping chocolate onto a huge tray. I stopped in mid step to watch this gentle act of piping. Piping each little piece of chocolate so neatly and accurately onto a large tray and thought what a lovely way to make a living. This gentle act of piping, the preparation of the chocolate and to instantly see the fruits of your labor and knowing that all of those who enter will leave with good feelings. That simple joy that comes with the smallest of pleasures. The gentleman must have sensed my eyes and looked up and smiled and then returned to his piping.
It was one of those moments that halted time...just for a few seconds.
One of those moments that you can't help but smile and know that all is right with the world. I must share that I romance that moment over and over again when it comes to other confectioneries. I must also share that they have all paled in comparison to Mason Roberts - Fine Chocolates.
Robert Reeb, at the age of 16, a native of Metz in the Lorraine (northeast France), began his apprenticeship under his father, Frédèric, as a third generation pâtissier-confiseur-glacier. Robert was the gentleman piping chocolate that day and he and his lovely wife, Patricia, welcomed me and all those I continue to send to their shop.
The glass case filled with exquisite chocolates and all freshly made on the premises.
Robert preparing chocolates as set out on the large tray. Be still my heart!
Short video of Robert preparing the chocolates shown on the tray above. You can see how mesmerized I was by the view from the window the first time I walked into Maison Robert.
Maison Robert has recently moved from the small white house to larger digs and his daughter, Katia, now manages the shop. She has added a small but excellent lunch menu as well as pastries. This table groans with wonderful items to tease your taste buds.
A closer look at these amazing chocolates.
Artfully prepared pastries are as good to eat as they are lovely to look at.
Cookies, who could refuse cookies. I felt like I was back in NYC at a local bakery.
Maison Robert offers the most delectable truffles filled with the finest liquors. Sinfully delightful.
Robert's daughter, Katia, introduced a small lunch menu and it did not disappoint. Sis had their famous Quiche Lorraine and she said it was as light as a cloud.
I had their Pan Bagnat which contained marinaded Olives, Lettuce, Tomato, hard-boiled Egg, Cucumbers, fresh Basil and Brie all inside a freshly baked French bread. My plate is showing only half of the order as it was so big, I had the other half wrapped to go.
We both left with a small bag of their exquisite chocolates. They will be perfect with a cup of hot tea or coffee at the end of the day. The Maison Robert's website provides lots of photos of their chocolates and they will ship anywhere.
If you are a true lover of fine chocolate, than you must order one of their gift boxes for delivery to your home, or to a friend (or to a Sea Witch!!!) They are a treasure of hand created confections that you can and should delightfully indulge in.
