Joie de Vivre at Bel Ami, NYC’s Newest French Cafe

If you have yet to check out Bel Ami on East 68^th Street, then I recommend that you stop what you are doing and head over there right now.

This French café opened back in March and has been a hit with the tastemakers of the city ever since. I had the opportunity to chat with one of the owners, Vanessa Laplaud, to bring you some of the delectable details.

“Most of our product are made by French bakers and pastry chefs, with the exception of the muffins and the scones, which come from the hands of extraordinary U.S. bakers,” she says. This translates to products that are free of preservatives. They serve breakfast and lunch with menu items like fresh sandwiches, soups, salads, paninis, pastries, cakes, and cookies. And they haven’t forgotten about the chocolate lovers out there, and even boast that they will soon be selling a fine selection of gourmet breads. When it’s time for tea Bel Ami has you covered there as well, with Dammann Freres teas. What’s more, they also cater for private planes and summertime picnics.

Considering Vanessa’s background in interior design (she comes armed with a masters in art history and archeology from Bordeaux University), it comes as little surprise that she is sensitive to beauty and inspiring environments, and created Bel Ami to be a “peaceful and relaxing place for people to have a break in the craziness of the city.”

Bel Ami is located at 30 East 68^th Street, New York, 10065

• Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.