There’s something particularly perfect about the melding of French and Japanese culinary technique in the realm of pastries. The meticulous finesse of French patisserie combined with the attention to aesthetics of Japanese culture. Maybe it’s because it combines two of my favorite things: French bakeries and the profoundly pleasing experience of picking out a precisely packaged Japanese cake at a counter in a depachika. So Patisserie Fouet is an easy win in my book. A cozy shop that specializes in French-Japanese pastries and desserts, a cafe bakery by day and dessert bar by night, nestled between two bars just a block away from the bustle of Union Square.

Patisserie Fouet is the vision of Japanese pastry chef Yoshie Shirakawa, incorporating classic Japanese flavors to cakes, cookies, verrines and ice cream. They also have some classic viennoiseries, house made milk bread and mochi macarons. For the savory tooth, they serve some light lunch fare of sandwiches, salads and rice. They do tiered afternoon tea sets and three course dessert tastings. On the drinks side, in addition to a varied selection of coffees and teas, they also have a selection of cocktails, sakes, wine and even a rice lager. Whether for a quick stop by to grab something to go or a leisurely pause, Patisserie Fouet is always a good idea.