Financier--new bakery in midtown east

[erica]

Finally, there is some interesting food news in the culinary desert of east midtown.

This new place, which appears to be a branch of the ones downtown, will open soon on East 54th Street.

[erica]

Now that this place is open and apparently doing a bang-up business, could we have some recommendations for deserts?? Where is the actual bakery? What about their bread?

[Jane A.]

Since this is just down the next corner from me, I really want to love this place and just don't. I can't quite figure what all the fuss is about. The "service" in the restaurant area is an embarrassment. Clearly they are hiring people with zero service experience and the turnover is constant. It's an open topic of conversation table to table - they're close and this is a chatty neighborhood after all. The little financiers are nice - the plain cake things like that are good, but not spectacular. The fancy stuff in the case all looks good, but just doesn't seem special. I'd rather take the bus uptown and go to André's on 2nd & 84th or the Little Red Hen across the way. As to the food- the quiche is very good, the panini are very dry, some of the soups are good, but the "specials" list on the wall is already passé. That menu has been "updated", but left on the wall. Sloppy management.

[erica]

Thank you, Jane. I suspected as much..not sure exactly why--just the feeling I get when I pass by... When they first opened I went in to inquire about bread and the manager while friendly, did not strike me as particularly interested in the actual food. Perhaps I am being unkind.

I always forget about Andre's--I have been meaning to get up there for their cabbage strudel and now you have reminded me.. It is a very sad state of affairs that we have to get on a bus to shop for treats. (Although I do like the new Turkish bakery on Second Avenue.)

[RCC]

I've had the Pain du Chocolat and the regular croissant on a few occassions, but only when I'm on my way to pick a few stuff at the nearby Simchick meat shop. They're OK, French-style and sufficient to tide me over for my Saturday morning eats, but I still prefer the ones from Patisserie Claude in the Village.

As a matter of fact, I also prefer the croissants at the (also) newly-opened Pain Quotidien at 2nd Avenue and 49th over the ones from Financier.

-----
Patisserie Claude
187 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

[famdoc]

I can only speak for the original Financier location on Stone St. in the FiDi.
The kitchen is closely watched by the co-owner, who is a "maitre patissiere" from France. The cakes and other pastries there are delicious. Many French-speaking people who work in the FiDi go there and many French tourists stop there.
Has success spoiled Financier? Are they guilty of mass-production? Do they have too many locations?

[erica]

OH, yes, I forgot that PQ just opened on Second Avenue...maybe things are looking up ever so slightly in this neck of the woods...

Have you had Simchik's roast chicken, by any chance? Any comments?

[rushbikes]

Good news! Just spoke to the manager and he said with confidence that they will be opening the first week in August. Poked my head in and it looks about done to me. Just installing a few appliances.

[comiendosiempre]

Still not open, and it looks to be a bit away from opening, at least from the outside. Looking forward to an addition to a neighborhood sorely lacking in options for baked goods.

[fayth]

Is Financier in Midtown open yet?

[carijo3]

I have not seen it if it is in fact supposed to be opening on 54th and 1st

[Jane A.]

It's definitely opening on the SW corner of 54th & 1st. They seem to be a couple of weeks late. Fixed awnings went up and came down a day later - didn't meet some code, methinks. Last I heard from a workman, they should be open before the end of the month. Saw through the window paper that cabinet/counters had been delivered.

[erica]

Not yet..but they say it is a matter of days..

[hiddenembers.com]

Still no Financier, but peer inside and everything looks pretty much ready to go after some tidying up and some pastries. Also, they seem to have replaced the awnings with a simple sign affixed above the window. Sounds like some sort of code issue to me as well.

Asked one of the workers last week when they'd be opening and he said he didn't know. I pass by it almost every day so will be sure to post an update once I have one.

[fayth]

Any news yet? Will be in the city this weekend and staying nearby so looking forward to trying for early morning breakfast.

[erica]

The interior looks finished to me, but they are still not open.

[rushbikes]

Does anyone know if there's a firm opening date?

I live across the street and have been waiting for a place like this to open up for a very long time. Love the one down on Stone St.

[Jane A.]

Two men waiting to get in to work there the other morning told me it's supposed to open on May 1. I'm looking forward to it too.

[kobetobiko]

I love their pastries and cakes too! Their sandwiches and quiches are also delicious, albeit a bit expensive.

[funniduck]

Just in time for spring and summer! How exciting! Thanks for the good news!

[Miss Needle]

Oh, great news! Not good for my gluten intolerance, but I loved Financier when I used to work downtown.

[famdoc]

Financier is the brainchild of master patissiere Eric Bedoucha, who trained in Paris.
He now has three stores in lower Manhattan.
His pastries are delicious and just as good any in Paris.
Bon Appetit!

http://www.financierpastries.com/abou...

[financialdistrictresident]

And it's the only pastry shop in lower Manhattan . . . The almond croissants are my favorite, though sometimes they are over baked.

[kim e]

ooh, very dangerous. there's one in my bldg (i work in WFC) and i go there everyday. i have to use all my strength to resist their pastries and just order coffee. i've tried nearly every pastry there...they're awesome!

[kathyyl]

What's the cross street?

[erica]

First Avenue and 54th Street..I overheard a worker say that they would open in 2 weeks.