OUT & ABOUT
Sanctuaries on 2nd The Queen Village culinary scene greets a newcomer and welcomes back an old friend. By Michael and Cait Allen
Crème Br lée Bistro and Café
W
istful about that who-knowswhen flight to Paris that certainly had no chance in 2020? Find solace at Crème Brulée Bistro and Café, 618 S. 2nd Street, led by brothers Dareo and Armando Tapio. Armando started bistro life as a dishwasher, but soon his talent for baking French delicacies propelled him to sous-chef and then to confidante of noted New York chocolate and pastry chefs. Dareo adds heartier fare to Armando’s baking prowess to establish a true French bistro in the family neighborhood that is Queen Village.
“We don’t use machines,” Dareo explains, “because we wanted to show that we can make everything by hand. And we use a lot of special techniques with the bread.” The artisan baguettes have acolytes in us. (They attract “oh-my” stares on the street and even compliments in their chic paper bags.) “We put too much love in the bread,” Dareo says. No! Wrong! Don’t do a single thing to disturb the enchanting array of pastries, croissants, and sandwiches. Let us just enjoy our coffee and take in all the happiness.
Almond brioche, anyone? Photo credit: Michael Allen
Take your pick—Opera cake, cheesecake, or chocolate mousse?
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2021
Photo credit: Michael Allen
