KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 ― The food and beverage (F&B) industry is no place for the meek or weak. Survival of the fittest is the mantra here as many F&B businesses come and go with every passing year. It takes something special to survive, much less thrive.
Yet thrive is exactly what Les Deux Garçons, founded and led by the passionate and redoubtable Pascal Yeung, has done. As an all-Malaysian business (in spite of its French name), Les Deux Garçons has grown organically from being a boutique patisserie serving fine pastries and sweets to expanding its offerings to include viennoiseries such as their buttery croissants.
Given this month’s Malaysia Day celebrations, what better time than to launch the next phase of their little empire?
The story starts in late 2011 when macarons ― those sweet meringue-based confections filled with ganache ― were just beginning to catch on. Les Deux Garçons was at the forefront of this food trend, with unusual flavours such as wasabi and winter truffle. Created by the Venetians, perfected by the French, macarons were now given an East-meets-West makeover thanks to Yeung.
Their petits gâteaux (small, fine desserts) were an immediate hit too. With names like Le Palladio (an almond tart, layered with vanilla ganache and white truffle mascarpone) and La Pagode Noire (black sesame sponge, crispy black sesame biscuit and milk chocolate layered with black sesame mousseline), you’d be forgiven if you thought you were transported to Paris while still lounging in Bangsar.
Fast forward a couple of years and Yeung has embarked on his next project: producing viennoiseries (classic baked goods) like croissants, pain au chocolat, brioche à tête and pithivier (a puff pastry pie filled with a sweet frangipane of almond paste); all best devoured fresh out of the oven.
Now, in a rather timely move given the boom of eateries in Taman Desa, Les Deux Garçons has launched their latest venture in the revamped Faber Tower: a brasserie. In France, a brasserie is a casual restaurant serving single dishes rather than multiple courses.
Traditionally, brasseries are open daily with the same no-nonsense menu from morning till evening. Les Deux Garçons has replicated this concept with all-day breakfasts popular with brunch lovers. Their menu also features pastas like fettuccine with smoked duck and grilled vegetables.
Fans of all things eggy should go for their substantial spinach and mushroom omelette, served with fresh fruits, bread and butter, or try Croque Messieur, their take on the classic croque monsieur ― baked cheese, ham and tomatoes on muesli toast. Salads are accompanied by a variety of healthy grains such as quinoa, couscous and barley.
Les Deux Garçons Brasserie is a one-stop wonder serving pastries, baked goodies and bistro-style hot dishes. One wonders what Yeung and his dedicated team will come up with next.
Les Deux Garçons Brasserie
G02, Ground Floor, Faber Tower, Jalan Desa Bahagia, Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur
