New year, new life, old tradition. January 6th, which falls on the first Friday of 2023, is normally the date set aside for dismantling the Christmas tree. It’s also the day of yet another gluttony that you can put on the bill for end-of-year suppers: the bolo de reis (Portuguese) and the galette des rois (French).
In the shape of a crown, the bolo de reis is made with a white dough and candied fruit. A ring is hidden in the filling, or another goodie. Whoever finds it is lucky all year round, legend says.
The story of the galette is similar, with a porcelain bean hidden in the puff pastry pie, usually filled with frangipane (an almond cream).
The cake is more easily found in traditional bakeries in São Paulo, such as Dona Deôla, with its five units (Higienópolis, Lapa, Pompeia, Saúde and Granja Viana) —addresses and opening hours are on the brand’s profile on Instagram, @donadeola. The cake weighing around 500 g costs R$ 39.90.
At Brioche Brasil, commanded by Frenchman Christophe Guillard, the usual frangipane galette will be accompanied by a new version, Galette Provençal, with candied fruit. In addition to the gift, both come with a cardboard crown to place on the head of the lucky person of the year.
The two versions of the galette are produced in three sizes, with 500 g, 800 g or 1 kg (the value is R$ 148, the kilo). The smallest serves four people.
At the pâtisserie Douce France, chef Fabrice Lenud prepares the traditional galette, with almond cream, in different sizes, for small (four slices) and large families (12 slices). The value of the “petit” version, weighing 500 g, is R$ 120. But the galette will not be available at the café in the physical store (inside Fiesp), only at the atelier, at Rua Major Diogo, 868, Bela Vista.
Opposite Largo do Arouche, the restaurant La Casserole will extend the tradition until Sunday, and will serve a galette (R$49) in the dining room. Whoever finds the gift wins a lunch from the formule menu.
Where to find
Dona Deôla (kings cake)
Av. Pompeia, 1937, Pompeia, west region, tel. 3672-6600. Mon. to Sun.: 6h to 22h40; and four more addresses on Instagram @donadeola
Brioche Brazil
R. das Perdizes, 25A, Barra Funda, central region, phone: 98115-0834. To have. Fri.: 9 am to 4 pm, and Sat.: 9 am to 2 pm; on Instagram @briochebrasil
Douce France
R. Major Diogo, 868, Bela Vista, central region, phone: 3262-3542. Mon. on Sat.: 8 am to 6 pm, and Sun.: 9 am to 6 pm; on Instagram @patisseriedouce
La Casserole
Soon. do Arouche, 346, República, central region, tel.: 3331-6283. Mon.: 12h to 15h; to have. and Wed.: 12:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 23:00; Thu. to Sat.: 12:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 24:00; Sun.: 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm; on Instagram @lacasserole1954
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