La Bague de Kenza

La Bague de Kenza - Gastro Obscura

"Algerians constitute one of the largest groups of immigrants in Paris, but their cuisine was disproportionately underrepresented in the city until the late ‘90s, when two Algerian immigrants opened this shop selling the sweets of their homeland. Today, La Bague de Kenza is the go-to for Algerian-style sweets in Paris, with three branches across the city. The name translates as “Kenza’s Ring,” and the largest outlet, in the 11th arrondissement, could practically be mistaken for a jewelry store: a brightly lit display of pastel colors and shapes that unites golden honey, rich nuts, chewy dates, crunchy semolina, and fragrant orange and rose water. Today, Parisians stop by “B.K.” for almond-flecked baklava, marzipan shaped into exotic fruit, horns filled with crushed pistachios or a slice of syrup-soaked orange cake—among many, many other selections. There’s a few sweets that have been tweaked to appeal to French tastes, and a selection of savory items as well. La Bague de Kenza’s selections are takeaway only (and it’s worth noting that they’re not cheap), but the Rue Maur branch also has a rather funky ‘70s-feeling tea room with squat tables where you can pair your selections with a pot of sweet mint tea and a friendly in-house cat. Know Before You Go Rue Saint-Maur branch’s has a lovely tea room, which is open from 2:30 p.m. on weekdays." - Austin Bush