When you need a quick (or relaxing) breakfast early, Le Pain is open from 7am, and has pretty nice menu selection.

We went to one in Upper West Side on 84th and Amsterdam, walking distance of the American Museum of Natural History and the Riverside Park. It has nice open space with large windows, bringing in lots of natural light. They have lots of nice, fresh baked goods to sweet desserts…

 

We needed something light and quick, so we ordered Coffee, Petit Déjuner, and a dessert. A pot of coffe ($4.10) comes in a cute white pot with small milk and more like a bowl as a large coffee cup. It is all very cute… The pot had enough coffee to last 3 cup (unless you are filling the coffee to the top of the bowl). Solid coffee, good flavor.

Petit Déjeuner (14.95) has a choice of croissant or pain au chocolat with an assortment of organic breads and choice of juice and hot beverage. So we got regular croissant, an orange juice, and another pot of coffee. We also added organic soft-boiled egg for $2.00. The croissant and bread were pretty large, so it was enough for 2 people to share. It might not get you to the “very full” point, but if you want something light, it is a nice portion for 2 people. The orange juice was very nice, freshly squeezed kind, with lots of pulp! It was awesome. The egg was broiled to perfection.

We got French Donut ($4.25) as our dessert, which we had to take it to go since the waiter never came back (and we didn’t have time to wait). It is basically a sweet pastry with creamy filling (lots of it) in between. It was really nice, rich, creamy.

So, the service was not great (or non-existence), but still is a good spot in the early morning, or if you want a good baked goods.

Le Pain Quotidien – 494 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024