Blue neon light, large illuminated glass showcases: At first glance, French Touch Pâtisserie looks like one of those expensive boutiques on nearby Maximilianstrasse. On closer inspection, however, the small objects in the two counters turn out to be perfectly shaped tarts and the exhibition room is a café that has been styled down to the last detail.
It’s Yassine Boukhris’ dream come true. Born in Munich, he has already baked in Paris, Dubai, Brussels and Marrakech after his training at Woerner’s, but ultimately he was drawn back to his homeland a few years ago. He knew from the start that if he were going to open a shop, it would be on Brunnstrasse in the old town. Although the small street is centrally located, there is not as much hustle and bustle here as in Kaufingerstrasse, which is only a stone’s throw away.
However, it is not easy to get a retail space in this location, as the competition is usually fierce. That all changed with the pandemic and that’s how Boukhris got his chance. Since October 2021, Munich residents have had the opportunity to try the macarons that companies like Dior and Louis Vuitton have long snatched from their hands.
Yassine Boukhris opened French Touch Pâtisserie in October 2021.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
In fact, the fashion world is tearing at Boukhris’ creations. How did this happen? If you ask the 37-year-old, then there was a lot of luck involved. But one can assume that it also has something to do with its perfect craftsmanship. Someone from Louis Vuitton ordered a birthday cake from him via his online shop. The Germany boss of the fashion empire also tried it – and is said to have been enthusiastic.
With such a clientele, do you even need a shop? Boukhris finds: yes. He doesn’t want to be dependent on a few lucrative orders a year and wants people to be able to taste his creations every day. The head of the patisserie is still in the bakery himself.
What is there and how much does it cost?
Of course you have to try one of the tarts at French Touch. Although the selection is constantly changing, it is always huge: There are delicacies such as a mini cheesecake, a lemon tartlet or a small delicacy that is difficult to describe, actually looks far too beautiful to eat but is incredibly good tastes like passion fruit. Prices start at 5.50 euros. Only the macarons are available from 1.90 euros each.
The tarts taste as good as they look.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
But that’s not all about desserts. The menu also features French toast in three different versions: with caramel, orange or hazelnut (8.50 euros each). All are fluffy brioche dough and all creations are not only garnished with vanilla ice cream, but also with whipped cream. Alternatively, you can order pancakes, which are even vegan. If you like it classic, you can get it with maple syrup for 6.50 euros. Toppings such as chocolate or hazelnut sauce and caramelized banana each cost two euros extra. The bowls, such as the raspberry-almond-coconut bowl or the strawberry-mint bowl (each 7.50 euros), are not quite as big a calorie bomb.
Of course, the popular Egg Benedict cannot be missing from the menu. Here, too, guests have a choice: the classic option is two poached eggs on a brioche bun with spinach and Hollandaise sauce for 9.50 euros. If you also want smoked salmon, you pay 12.50 euros, and if you order the “Egg Benedict Royal”, you get the whole thing with finely shaved truffle for 14.50 euros. Alternatively, there are also scrambled eggs, fried eggs or omelettes (each 4.90 euros), extras such as spinach or avocado are available from 50 cents. For those who do not eat any animal products, there is a vegan scrambled egg based on tofu with tomatoes and herbs on the menu (9.50 euros).
The bread variants are not only recommended for breakfast, but also for later hours: Crispy sourdough bread is always the basis here, you can order it with salmon, tomato and burrata, figs and feta cheese or completely vegan with avocado, hummus or beetroot -Hummus (from 8.50 euros).
The interior is decorated in white and blue tones. The neon lettering on the walls is an eye-catcher.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
There is a homemade lemonade with lemon, mint and elderberry and a homemade iced tea based on green tea, refined with lemon and rosemary (EUR 4.50 each) or smoothies (EUR 5.50). Freshly squeezed orange juice is also available, as is a selection of fresh juices that you can mix and match as you like. An espresso is available for 2.20 euros, a latte macchiato for 4.20 euros and a flat white for a whopping 4.10 euros.
Who do you meet there?
Given the location, it’s hardly surprising that the audience is at least apparently international; at the next tables you can hear people speaking English and French, among other things. Before the first bite, many guests pull out their mobile phones to photograph the beautifully arranged plates and, one can assume, post the photos on Instagram. If you don’t let that bother you, you can make yourself comfortable on one of the bright blue couches and let yourself be pampered after a long day of shopping.
French Touch PatisserieBrunnstraße 4, 80331 Munich, opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m