In 1889, Charlemagne Mayot and his wife opened a small local bakery in Croix in the north of France. Four generations later, Paul is a worldwide brand known for its exquisite Viennoiserie, breakfast, and for being a memorable place. Moreover, it has traveled across the globe from France all the way to the heart of Saudi Arabia. Paul commemorates 120 years of the traditional art of baking bread.
Hidden away behind dense trees on the curb of Tahlia, Paul opened its doors to Jeddah’s residents two weeks ago and has already carved its niche in the food industry.
Francis, who succeeded the business, believes the French make the best bread in the world, and Paul’s arrival in Jeddah is a chance for you to confirm that conception.
He has maintained the traditional, labor-intensive methods of bread production following Paul’s legacy since the nineteenth century. They erased the concept of factory mass-production and have not compromised on quality.
Paul bakes the most distinctive bread; their pastries and Viennoiserie are baked throughout the day, at least three times. They insist on the best quality ingredients and import their flour, their secret hot chocolate recipe, sugar, blueberries and even sweet syrups from France. Paul is primarily one of the best breakfast joints. It gives you a sense of harmony, sending you away to France through their artistic and classy interiors.
Paul offers freshly baked French bread in an appealing assortment. It serves loaves with olives, sesame, Baraka seeds and a variety of rolls.
Their Charlemagne bread is made with durum wheat, giving it a distinctive taste and look with a thin crust and dense center.
Start the day or break your fast after Maghreb during Ramadan in style with Paul’s pastries and aromatic coffee. Their secret recipe for the Viennese hot chocolate is idiosyncratic much like the café. Paul’s macaroons are most definitely a delicious treat and can stimulate your senses with some mocha coffee. They are displayed in fluorescent colors of pistachio green, raspberry pink and chocolate brown.
Paul, unlike most of their outlets in London, Lebanon and Dubai, is more regal here. Their interior design adds more prestige to match the Saudi taste. The paintings lie on the beautiful pastel colored walls that are draped with deep red velvet curtains and doors that look like they were brought down from old French palaces. The European influence is strong and can be seen in their décor adding class to casual dining. Paul’s interiors include art pieces said to be up to 200 years old. Perhaps for most, Paul can be one of those places where you can soak into a nonchalant atmosphere and feel like you are in a mini Palace of Versailles.
Discover their Viennoiserie collection: Pain au Chocolat, Pain au Chocolat aux Amandes (almonds), Croissants, Apricot Anglaise, and Chouquettes. Their buttery pastries, with their traditional fillings of apple, apricot or raisins, can add the missing element of delight to your day. Their hambourgeois is very French indeed; it is white soft bread served with minced beef filet, pepper sauce, tomatoes, and salad. Paul does not limit its menu to the variety of confectionery, as they also offer “Nos Salades” and exotic “tourtes.” Salade fermiere, a mixed salad with chicken, Emmental cheese, apple, walnuts, grated carrots with vinaigrette dressing is one of their highlights. Tourte mariagede saveurs is a pie garnished with eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, eggs, milk, cream and green pesto. They also prepare Lasagne de boeuf with Bolognese sauce and cheese.
Their 6 Céréales Croque is made with six cereals bread, turkey ham, Emmental cheese and béchamel sauce; you can savor it with their fresh cocktails. Paul also offers “Moelleux,”or sandwiches, with Moelleux au poulet curry combining grilled marinated chicken with curry.
Do yourself a favor and have their Mille Feuille, Nuage Chocolat and their Chocolate éclair.
With so much variety, you will always find a reason to go back. Paul’s breakfast makes getting out of bed worthwhile. It is a revelation and you will wonder why it took so long for one to get here.
And when you do, remember you read it here first.
Tahlia Street beside Sands Hotel, near Danube supermarket, Jeddah
026671633
After Maghreb till 2 a.m.
From September, 9 a.m. - 1 a.m.
