We all know the delicious and savory tastes of croissants, macarons and baguette sandwiches, but what about the artistry behind these tasty treats? The music playing in the background, the color of the furniture, the smell when you first walk in? If any place to eat strikes the chicest aesthetic, it’s a French cafe or bakery. I’ve visited multiple popular French dining places to get a “taste” of this aesthetic – and of course the food as well. These are some that I favor the most, and would recommend for a morning or afternoon treat!
~The French Workshop
With multiple locations across Long Island and New York City, this bakery is perfect for breakfast, lunch and dessert. The nearest location is in Plainview. As you walk in, colors of gold, white and marble patterns fill the room. The pastry cabinets are open and airy, where you can get a good look at their mouth watering desserts. Their sandwich bar offers an array of delicious wraps or baguettes. There’s even different types of yogurt parfaits, if you are looking for a healthy breakfast or snack option! There is one section of benches and chairs to sit at and enjoy one of their delicious fresh treats, or a sweet drink with a friend. Don’t forget the most important part of The French Workshop…freshly baked macarons. You simply can’t leave the store without one. Most importantly, the service at The French Workshop is excellent! You would be spending between $10 and $20 for each treat you purchase. BHS Sophomore, Elizabeth Trimarco says “Anything there that is Nutella is so good, so are their wraps.”
~Le Pain Quotidien
Another cute dining experience, both in Long Island and New York City had some of the best lunch food! I visited the one on the Upper East Side previously, but there is one in Garden City at the Roosevelt Field Mall. When you first step in, you immediately get the feeling of a French countryside and rustic aesthetic. There are a few wooden communal tables, as well as individual tables around to enjoy a treat or meal! Le Pain Quotidien could be seen as a bakery, because you walk right into a counter full of delicious pastries, but it could also be a restaurant. You can sit down, get a menu with a large selection, and order something for lunch or breakfast. For breakfast, you can order sandwiches on a croissant, bowls, yogurt, eggs, pancakes and of course pastries. For lunch you can get flatbreads, tartines, other sandwiches, soups, salads and quiches. They are also very well known for their “Crookie” which is a mixture of a croissant and a chocolate chip cookie. I have only been here once, but I would definitely rate it a solid 10/10!
~Paris Baguette
Conveniently, this is just across the street from the nearest French Workshop in Plainview. Paris Baguette is very similar to The French Workshop in ways, but the interior vibe blends a classic French look with a modern, bright and airy design. It’s clean and upscale, with places to sit and enjoy! Different from The French Workshop, Paris Baguette sells beautifully designed cakes, even for specific holidays and seasons. For Easter, I tried their Bunny cake, which was quite literally in the shape of a bunny with eyes and a mouth! The icing on top is white, creamy and buttery to give off a fluffy look (like bunny fur), and the inside was a mixture of banana and strawberry cake. You can also get a tasty wrap or sandwich here as well. Another cute place to spend with a friend.
~Laduree
And lastly, my personal favorite is the French bakery, Laduree. It’s known throughout the world for their delicious macarons, but also for their high-end pastries and overall vibe. Known mostly across the United States (with numerous stores in New York City), France and many other European countries. Laduree’s fashion aesthetic has an elegant and colorful charm with a mostly pastel color palette, but consists mostly of light green. Each store has a very luxurious feel to it, even the packaging of food is to perfection. Their menu offers a selection of very creative French desserts as well as drinks. They also display numerous flavors of macarons – even a Marie-Antoinette Tea macaron!
If you’re ever looking for a place to grab a bite, whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dessert, I highly recommend checking out these places! Besides a meal, these French cafes offer a luxurious experience for the eyes as much as for the palate. So, go eat in style!
