Tag Archives: Bakery

Food, NYC Area

Chocolate Almond Croissant Paradise

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Strolling down a side street in North Jersey, I popped into a small storefront. Inside: the best almond chocolate croissant I’ve ever had.

This is Petite B French Bakery in West New York, NJ.

In a town that’s historically Cuban, Petite B brings a different flavor. The owners, originally from France, opened in late 2020 to rave reviews.

I feasted my eyes on baguettes, lemon tarts, and madeleines. But I was here for one reason, and one reason only.

A chocolate almond croissant.

This is the granddaddy of French pastry. You get everything wonderful at once: buttery layers of pastry, smooth almond cream, and rich chocolate.

I ordered, paid, and scampered off like a mouse with a treat. Standing on the sidewalk, I gingerly removed the pastry from the bag, not wanting to lose a single almond.

I bit down through crunchy layers of pastry and nuts into the gooey interior. Perfection.

A good almond croissant is moist without being soggy. Its outside is crisp, its inside yielding.

Petite B does it better than anywhere I’ve ever been, even in France.

Petite B also has excellent prices. A cannelé is just 50 cents, the lowest I’ve ever seen.

This sunny bakery offers a lot more than pastry. Savory dishes like quiche and croque monsieur round out the menu, along with a wide assortment of La Colombe coffees.

There’s even a spacious outdoor seating area in the warmer months!

I used to have to go to New York City to get some of my favorite French foods. Not anymore!

Petite B is open every day but Monday. Closing time varies throughout the week, so be sure to check the hours before your visit.

I hope you enjoy this taste of France as much as I did!

What are your favorite bakeries? Leave a comment and let us know!

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Food, NYC Area

Move Over, Cake Boss: There’s a New Sheriff in Town

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Buddy Valastro of Carlo’s Bakery may be the Cake Boss, but there’s a new sheriff in town. 

Recoleta is an Argentinian bakery in Union City, NJ that makes some of the best cake I’ve ever tasted.  When I walked in for the first time in 2019, I noticed 3 things:

1) The beautiful interior, filled with comfortable couches and chairs

2) The engrossing pastry case, replete with the traditional pastries of Argentina

3) The prices, which are from another era. Most pastries are little more than a dollar, and slices of cake are around $3.

As you bite into a slice of their chocolate cake, you glide through a thick layer of velvety buttercream into moist spongecake pervaded by cocoa.

With a satisfying cup of coffee at your side, and a mere $4 and change gone from your wallet, you can gaze out at lively Bergenline Avenue and watch the people go by.

I can’t think of a better way to pass an afternoon.

If you’re in the area, stop by Recoleta…before TLC does. 🙂

Have a great weekend everyone!

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Food, NYC Area

The Best Bakery in NYC (It’s Not Levain)

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One evening, my wife came home and presented a bunch of small, colorful bags. Inside: some of the most delicious baked goods I’ve ever had.

Their outstanding chocolate chip cookie. Don’t worry, I was gentle.

Eclair Bakery, founded by French pastry chef Stephane Pourrez, is on a side street near the United Nations. Despite eight years in the city, it’s fairly obscure, especially compared to famous spots like Levain. But I’ve never had a Levain cookie as delicious as those from Eclair. They’re moist, chewy, and deeply suffused with brown sugar and butter.

Their namesake eclairs are also the best I’ve ever had. A caramel version I tried had a light, airy pastry filled with rich, smooth caramel cream. It was beautiful to look at and even better to eat!

If you’re in New York City, I strongly suggest giving this under-the-radar spot a try!

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