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Pastry Star Adir Michaeli Of Breads Opens His Own Bakery On LES
By
Scott Lynch
Published May 10, 2019
Modified May 10, 2019
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Scott Lynch / Gothamist
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By
Scott Lynch
Published May 10, 2019
Modified May 10, 2019
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Everyone knows that Breads Bakery has the best Chocolate Babka in town, as well as several other pastries considered indispensable by NYC treat lovers. And the man partially responsible for all that baked goodness? Executive Pastry Chef Adir Michaeli, who has since left the Breads mini-chain and just opened his very own shop on the Lower East Side named, appropriately enough, Michaeli Bakery.
Located on Division Street, Michaeli features a full menu of pastries, including the chef's renowned Rugelach (which might even be better than his babka), as well as an incredible Kugelhopf, various flavors of spirally Danish and puffy Croissants, and a Moroccan doughnut called a Sfenj (which is vegan). Michaeli also makes excellent cookies, particularly the buttery chocolate chip one and the gooey Alfajores, fat with dulce de leche. There are whole log cakes for sale too, starting with Black Forest, Coconut Mango, and Chocolate, though Michaeli plans on rolling out at least a dozen flavors in the months to come.
If you want something savory, get a couple of pinwheel Pizza Burekas, made with gouda, olive tapenade, and tomato sauce, or one of several more traditional, shell-like creations filled with spinach, feta, or potato. Loaves of Babka come in three varieties: Chocolate, Poppy Seed, and Cinnamon, and all three are well worth trying. And on Fridays only, Michaeli bakes a sesame-seed Challah—you should probably get here early if you want a loaf before he sells out.
The space itself is compact but cheerful, all white tiles and green plants, with a half dozen stools and a small bench outside, the perfect spot on a pleasant day to sip a cup of coffee and munch down a treat or two.
(Scott Lynch / Gothamist)
Michaeli Bakery is located at 115A Division Street, just east of Orchard Street, and is open Mon - Sat 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sun 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (646-360-2264; michaelibakery.com)
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best babka nyc
Lower East Side
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Scott Lynch
Photojournalist, food writer, preschool receptionist. Love NYC.
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