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French Bakery Mille-Feuille to Open in Former Big Nick's Space

By Emily Frost | December 30, 2013 2:52pm
 The new bakery will have croissants, French bread, and savory lunch options, the owner said. 
Mille-Feuille
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UPPER WEST SIDE — The space that used to house beloved pizza and burger joint Big Nick's on Broadway will soon host a French bakery known for its croissants and macarons, the owner said.

Mille-Feuille, which opened a bakery off Washington Square Park in May 2011, moved its kitchen shortly thereafter to a bigger space in Williamsburg where its popular baked goods are made fresh daily, said owner Olivier Dessyn, who moved from Paris to start the business in 2010.

"We’re famous for our croissants and our macarons," he said, adding that the new bakery would have more offerings than the LaGuardia Place location, including lots of pastries and tarts.  

Those still mourning the closure of 30-year-old French bakery Soutine, which was considered a neighborhood staple on West 70th Street, will be pleased to know Mille-Feuille will be offering freshly baked baguettes, as well.

Big Nick's closed after 51 years in July due to an apparent rent increase.

Mille-Feuille — named after the dessert that layers puff pastry and cream, aka a Napoleon — will operate out of 700 square feet but have enough room for about 20 seats and an ADA-compliant bathroom, Dessyn said. 

He's hoping the bakery can also use the back terrace for outdoor seating. 

"We have a variety of lunch options. We mostly do quiches, sandwiches and savory croissants," he said of the menu.

Dessyn is eyeing a March opening, as the space is currently being gutted and remodeled.  

The Upper West Side appealed to him because the area has a different vibe from Downtown, he said. 

"We are a neighborhood business and there are a lot of families [here], and we didn’t find any nice options for those people," he said. "We are thinking we will be very popular and a great addition."

In September, Brooke Schafran — a consultant for the Hotel Belleclaire, which is leasing three storefronts along Broadway, including the one Mille-Feuille will occupy — told Community Board 7 the hotel is seeking approval for a major facelift to the Broadway facade. 

Dessyn said the bakery would have a temporary sign before any changes were made by the hotel.