It was during one of my earlier visits to The Rocks, during a time when I had not fallen in love for either the place or the person who introduced me. At that time, there was naught but a guiding sense of adventure, energy fuelled by a kind of wanderlust for seeking out sweet treasures buried beneath the sallow sandstone promenade. We followed the beaten track – a skinny winding bend from Circular Quay – finding our bearings at a pedestrian crossing that was obscured by the scurrying feet of seagulls. We pressed on, choosing to ignore the crowds and the raging heat. We were on a mission against all odds, a mission in seeking satiety, whether from a mysterious ‘death by chocolate’, or perhaps a vision of being caught in a fantastical maze of tart berries. Indeed, I had heard many tales about this divinely inspired patisserie. Before long, the answer to our summer dreaming was found in the most unassuming of places and summoned as a boon to our hankering appetite for petite treats.
Had I words kind enough, a perception unfettered or an easel strong enough to bear the weight of a dense description, I might give a better depiction of La Renaissance patisserie francaise on Argyle Street, The Rocks, Sydney. Down by that sallow, dusty sandstone street, we found the shopfront sunken into the sandstone and carefully positioned to be adjacent to the hotels, pubs and the Harbour. The doorway was unconventionally propped open at the time of our visit, as it had an unanticipated lead-up of impatient visitors, each with a calling to the green-and-white signboard and cleanly chiselled array of tarts and cakes on display. It is not hard to see why window-shopping here by the patisserie is such a hobby; it exudes a clean and self-assured image that provides a certain pattern of repeat guests.
Before we could ascertain where the line began and where it ended, we were rushed into the tightly fitting main foyer between a rock and a hard, cold place — the protruding countertop and the keen face of an experienced waitperson, anxiously awaiting our selection. Following my intuition, I decided on two of the mixed berry tarts (as above) and a cappucino. Our money and order was taken swiftly and we were soon diligently ushered into the alfresco component; a quaint setting of a faded awning, several heavily used tables and chairs paired up and evenly spread out, a panoramic view of the surrounding guests from any table and even a slight peak into the rush and bustle of the kitchen, where cakes are freshly made for daily orders.
It is clear from the taste and texture and finesse of the craft of the tart and the skillfully extracted flavour of the coffee, this patisserie is proudly entrenched in the tradition of a bygone era, raptured by the passion of fine craftsmanship, pioneering through its meticulous following of the tricks-of-the-trade and delivering an alluring alfresco setting to absorb in these mantras. La Renaissance patisserie francaise on Argyle Street, The Rocks, Sydney, needs no flashy advertisements to spread the word of its dedication to cakes, tarts, flans, savouries and coffee; word of mouth is more than sufficient.
Perhaps only one slight quibble to mention: for new visitors unfamiliar with The Rocks, finding the shopfront can be a little daunting, where in my days unacquainted with the place, I had not given the carefully selected array of desserts and the aroma of coffee the attention it deserved and passed it off as “another of those cafes appealing to a niche crowd”. Although this initial reaction couldn’t have been more inaccurate, it is also daunting to face the bustle of the regulars and the occasional off-putting impatience of the staff, who are clearly driven to the demands of the queue.
If not for the quaint piquant-green signboard and the surrounding traffic of the patisserie, it would be close to impossible to spotting this jewel of a patisserie and cafe, which as mentioned earlier, holds a facade that is tucked away beneath the sandstone and awnings of surrounding buildings and occupying just enough for a countertop, a cash register and room for one or two patrons at a time to point at their favourite treat. Being only moments from The Orient Hotel, Circular Quay Station and Sydney Harbor, there’s also the obvious appeal to overseas and interstate visitors looking for a treat for morning tea. And for birthdays, corporate events and other special occasions? Don’t be shy to phone or e-mail and with professionality and puntucality, this dedicated team will attend to you (see below, petite tartlets in a take-away order).
La Renaissance Patisserie Francaise
Phone: +61 2 9241 4878
Fax: +61 2 9241 4811
Email: la.renaissance@bigpond.com
Address: 47 Argyle Street The Rocks
Sydney NSW 2000
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Going to La Renaissance is always an indulgent treat. We shall have to visit again very soon!