Harlem's got a new French sandwich shop, and this one's a little obsessed with getting its baguettes just right.
The crispy, airy loaves at Le Petit Parisien at 151 Malcolm X Boulevard–there's another location in the East Village–aren't just made with imported French flour, they're also prepared by venerable New York bakery Orwashers (according to the shop's own recipe).
The baguettes are featured in the cafe's dozen sandwiches, which feel straight out of France–there's the classic Le Parisien (bone-in cooked ham and butter), the Napoleon (dried sausage, cornichons and butter), and the Edith Piaf (duck rillettes and cornichons).
The sunny shop also sells fresh croissants (they've got the right bite too), macarons and a short list of warm breakfast items like frittatas and egg sandwiches served on brioche. Coffee comes in every variety.
Named after a famed French newspaper once run by the family of one of the owners, Le Petit Parisien is wallpapered with original copies of the paper.
The space is long and cozy (it was most recently Harlem Coffee Co), with plenty of tables in the back, plus free wifi. And there's French music to match the food.
