Day Three - Bonjour Mes Amis! French Bakery in Flushing.

On 39th Avenue, just off Main Street - inside the new "Queens Crossing Mall" - is a cafe called "Paris Baguette." The bakery is part of a chain of stores that originated in Korea in 1988 and have expanded into China and the U.S.

On a recent weekday at about noon, the place was doing brisk business. Although the staff and most of the customers were Korean, French words were enscribed on the wall -"Viennoiserie," and "Patisserie."

"Viennoiserie," according to Wikipedia, is French for "Viennese specialties." They're French pastries made with eggs, butter, milk cream and sugar. "Patisserie," again according to Wikipedia, is a French bakery that specializes in pastries and sweets. (By the way, "Baguette" is French bread.)

Yes, a French bakery in Flushing, with an outdoor cafe. It isn't exactly Paris. The outdoor cafe is actually a small concrete patio outside the mall with silver colored metallic tables and chairs. There are no umbrellas sheltering the tables from the sun. The tables overlook a small fountain trickling water over onto the sidewalk.

Just inside the cafe are glass refrigerated showcases and open counters with various french style pastries and cakes. Although the offerings appear to be French inspired, Korean words subtitle the cards announcing the baked goods. Among the extremely varied offerings are Danish Bread, Croquettes, and Cream Cheese pastries.

The staff wears faux French berets and blue aprons, all with the logo "Paris Baguette."

Andy Kim, 20, a college student, served customers at the open counters and helped ring up orders.
"The stuff here is definitely not Asian," said Kim. "I think it's French, but there's some other European countries pastries that we serve here too."

The pastries are surprisingly inexpensive. For $2.00, you can get a fresh blueberry or mixed fruit pastry that easily costs double the price at most bakeries. Coffee machines are outside the service counter, which means free refills. If you want a caramel macchiato, frappuchino or expresso, the staff can make those for you for about half the price you'd pay at Starbucks.

The bakery has about 70 seats, with various seating arrangements - stylish lounge chairs, couches and wooden tables and chairs. The lighting is extremely bright and the floors are immaculate. French and other European pop music blares from overhead speakers.

Yvonne Pak, 19, also a college student and part-time employee at the bakery, answered customers' questions in English and Korean. She said the bakery is open from seven in the morning to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
She said all food is extremely fresh.

"All of our pastries are baked daily on premises," said Pak.

Paris Baguette - in Queens Crossing Mall at 39th Avenue and Main Street.

Next: Day Four - Getting Fancy In The Basement of the Sheraton LaGuardia