Eclair and pissaladiere at FPB
There's a shiny, new-ish patisserie on Houston street, and it's owned by Francois Payard. I was able to deduce this because the sign on the front says, "Francois Payard Bakery." All that college education paid off. I don't know what to think about this new Payard bakery. The old one in the UES closed off and now they have this shiny new hotness downtown. If I were to walk through the streets of Paris and see a bakery, it would excite me to see a bakery. On Houston street I just don't know what to feel. Is this bakery supposed to transport me somewhere else? Am I to expect that the pastries and breads be as awesome as they are in a far-away land? How do you price a $4 dollars eclair in euros? The eclair at FPB is pretty good, although this dessert just tastes better whenever you're in a foreign land. See example one and example two for what I mean.
They also do a fairly delicious $4 onion tart. On the menu it's called an onion tart but in French it's called a 'pissaladiere' (wikipedia). The first time Steph and I had this, it was underbaked and the dough was weird. But we went back a second time to eat it and they got it right the second time. It's a nice thing to munch on as you're walking around, but if you're a cheapskate like me, you might quibble with the price.
I guess the thing about French pastries in New York is the same as Baohaus. Maybe there's cheaper or better in France, but hey, I ain't buy a ticket just to buy an eclair or a pissaladiere! Francois Payard Bakery is a worthwhile place to visit, but it doesn't necessarily transport you to a another place you want to be.
In other news, I saw on eater yesterday that food carts don't pay their fines! Shocking, right? What would cause them not to pay their fines? Me thinks it's because a lot of these food vendors do not make enough to pay them and still eek out a living. But throughout all of that there was a silver living because they interviewed someone from the Street Vendor's Project who said, "vendors who have outstanding violations cannot renew their licenses." I'm actually really happy about that because maybe the licenses will go to someone else who can do a more successful cart who can pay his/her fine. What this really is about though, is that the city is spending $7 million on enforcement and collected only $1.4 million in fines. It's nuts. The city needs to regroup and capitalize on the food truck revolution. They could easily be raking in the dough.
In random news, I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said, "Republican Women have more fun," and I almost threw up. It was a tough moment for me. I think more eclairs would help matters though. That or Canada.
Francois Payard Bakery
116 W Houston St.
New York, NY 10012
212-995-0888
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FPB, son. Not FCB. Anyway, no, you cannot compare them to the stuff you got in the City of Lights. That's too tough a comparison.
FN
November 11, 2010 5:02 pm
Ditto what FN said about your post title. As for the $4 US converted to Euros, it's a smidge under 3€. (In case you're not following the currency market, the US Dollar tanks globally, not just the Euro market.)
About the eclairs coming close to Paris, I guess it'd be La Maison du Chocolat. Except it's $6.50 and everything's made in Paris but composed together in NYC. Pricey but you do get what you pay for in quality.
Tina
November 12, 2010 9:05 pm
I bought an eclair from Ceci-Cela last week. My friend ordered the chocolate, but I would've tried the coffee crema instead. I thought of visiting FPB, but decided to patronize local bakeries instead. :)
kim
November 15, 2010 9:30 am
@FN,
aaaah, you caught me. I'm an idiot. The change has been made.
@Tina,
Oh wow, it's $6.50? Now that is crazy... but I guess it's only $2.50 above what's at FPB...
@kim,
You know, Ceci-cela is a place I ought to visit more often. Somehow I always forget about it when I'm hungry in soho. I always just end up in a different neighborhood looking for food instead!
Danny
November 15, 2010 2:26 pm