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If your holiday wish list includes a flight to France that you just can’t actually afford, you might want to consider heading to the northern edge of Bryant Park instead, where Parisian gastronomic house Fauchon has officially opened at 2 Bryant Park. The renowned culinary brand, founded by Auguste Fauchon in 1886, has unveiled a retail space that includes a bakery, a boutique stocked with gourmet goods, a full-service café and a restaurant in midtown Manhattan.
Let’s start with the pastries—a French badge of honor. Expect croissants, éclairs, macarons and artisan breads by pastry chef Victoria Mustacchio, alongside the brand’s signature lip-shaped Bisou Bisou collection of pastries reimagined for a New York audience (think fudge brownies, chocolate mousse, pretzels and ice creams). There’s also an on-site retail shop where visitors can browse specialty teas, sweets, fine groceries and grab-and-go items.
The restaurant, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, is led by executive chef Mat Bednarczyk. Standout dishes include smoked salmon with buckwheat blinis, a croque monsieur with Paris ham, béchamel and Gruyère and, according to an official press release, “refined twists on U.S. classics,” like a lobster roll on toasted brioche and the Fauchon burger with minced beef, Gruyère, yellow tomato, bacon and caramelized onion aioli.
Perhaps the first thing you’ll notice upon walking in, though, is the custom-designed espresso machine that sits in the middle of the retail space. “Surrounding it, stone-shelved bakery cases, textured mirrors and tree-patterned wallpaper offering a subtle nod to Bryant Park blend to create an atmosphere that enhances every culinary moment,” reads the release, also noting the Parisian details—mosaics! Arcades! Decorative columns!—that complete the space.
You’ll basically feel like you’re smack dab in the middle of Paris, checking off your holiday shopping list—minus the seven-hour flight.