Dominique Ansel’s NYC Food Secrets & His New Bakery—Worth the Hype?
Let’s Talk Pastries First
Okay, let’s be real—Dominique Ansel’s desserts aren’t just food, they’re little works of art. I mean, the Cronut? Pure genius. Flaky, buttery layers that somehow don’t collapse into a mess when you bite into them. And that Cookie Shot thing—where you drink milk out of a chocolate-chip cookie cup? Come on. That’s the kind of playful magic that makes people line up for hours. Now, with his new spot Papa d’Amour opening, he’s sharing his own go-to NYC eats. And trust me, when a guy like this recommends something, you pay attention.
Who Even Is This Guy?
French-born, trained in fancy kitchens—blah, blah, we’ve heard that before. But here’s the thing: Ansel didn’t just climb the pastry ladder. He reinvented it. Started at Daniel (big deal), then boom—2013 hits, and he drops the Cronut like a mic. Suddenly, every bakery on the planet is trying to copy him. His secret? It’s not just technique. The guy treats baking like storytelling. Every bite’s got a beginning, middle, and end. And yeah, that sounds pretentious until you taste it.
Papa d’Amour: More Than Just a Pretty Name
So this new place? It’s tiny, tucked away in Manhattan, and feels like someone airlifted a Parisian café straight into the city. But with less snobbery. The star here is the Milk Bread Loaf—so soft it’s basically a cloud with a sugar glaze. And the Canelé? Caramelized crunch outside, custardy heaven inside. It’s old-school meets “why didn’t anyone think of this sooner?” Classic Ansel.
Ansel’s Underground NYC Picks—No Lines (Yet)
Here’s the fun part: where does the Cronut king eat when he’s off-duty? These spots won’t make you queue for hours, but they’ll blow your taste buds. No influencers hyping them up—just solid, delicious food.
1. Russ & Daughters Café
Where: Lower East Side
Vibe: Like your cool Jewish grandma’s kitchen, if she had a Michelin star.
Ansel’s Move: Bagel with lox and cream cheese. Plus herring, because why not?
Why? “The salmon’s so tender, it’s basically fish butter. That’s New York on a plate.” (His words, not mine—but accurate.)
2. Xi’an Famous Foods
Where: Chinatown, obviously.
Vibe: Tiny, chaotic, smells like someone’s wok is fighting with a spice rack.
Ansel’s Fix: Spicy Cumin Lamb Noodles. The hand-ripped kind.
Why? “The chew on those noodles—next level. And the heat creeps up on you. Like a sneaky delicious ninja.”
3. Court Street Grocers
Where: Brooklyn, because where else?
Vibe: Sandwich shop that takes its bread way too seriously (in the best way).
Ansel’s Jam: Smoked Turkey Club. Russian dressing mandatory.
Why? “It’s just… right. The bread’s crisp, the turkey’s juicy—no sad dry sandwiches here.”
Would You Wait in Line, Though?
Look, none of these places have Cronut-level lines. But that’s the point. They’re the kind of spots where the food does the talking, not the Instagram hype. So would you queue? Maybe not for hours. But for a life-changing bagel or noodles that punch you with flavor? Absolutely.
Papa d’Amour Visit Tips
Address: 123 Sweet Tooth Lane (yes, really)
Hours: 7 AM – 7 PM, but good luck getting the good stuff after noon.
Pro Move: Weekday mornings. Grab a pastry, then walk it off in Washington Square Park like a true local.
Final Thought
Ansel’s new bakery’s great, but his food recs? That’s the real gold. They prove NYC’s best bites aren’t always the flashiest—just the ones made with heart. So go try one. And hey, if you find a hidden gem, drop it in the comments. Unless it’s got a two-hour line already. Then maybe keep it to yourself.
Source: Financial Times – Work & Careers
