UPPER EAST SIDE — A bit of Brazilian flavor is coming to the corner of East 68th Street and First Avenue.
Marina Halpern, a Brazil native, and Rachel Binder — both of whom have worked in bakeries around the city — have launched their own venture, called Padoca, featuring a Brazilian twist on a number of breads and pastries, including their small stuffed pies, called empadinha, made with chicken, mushroom, hearts of palm, spinach and feta.
Along with the usual range of breakfast pastries, desserts, tea cakes and bread, the menu also includes a Brazilian cheese bread called pao de queijo and a black-and-white brownie, a spin on the traditional cookie.
Padoca swirls, the bakery's take on babkas, or sweet yeast cakes, will also be available, as well as a selection of sandwiches and salads. Menu items range in price from $2 to $12.
“In a place like New York, it is very easy to find yourself so busy that during work days, you end up eating just because you have to,” Halpern said in a statement. “I am excited about giving people a break from that, even if it’s for 10 minutes. I want people to have fun through food, connect with each other and taste great food.”
Halpern has worked at The Dutch in Soho and The Mark on the East 77th Street. Binder, who will orchestrate Padoca's menu, recently served as the pastry chef at Maialino at the Gramercy Park Hotel.
Padoca is open daily, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 359 East 68th Street.
