photo courtesy of Cafe De Royal
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, first it was steak houses, then sushi, now Ridgewood has become a mecca for French bakeries. The lastest bakery to join the Village is Cafe de Royal, a mostly French bakery, has opened on Wilsey Square in the space that used house Carlo’s Bakery that was owned by Buddy Valastro of “Cake Boss” fame.
Owner and chef Emil Freeman, a Russian-American who lives in Woodbury, NY, has his work cut out for him and maintains that his bakery is different from the other French bakeries in town. Presently there is Sook Pastry on South Broad Street and Pierre & Michel on East Ridgewood Avenue both excellent.
Unlike Pierre & Michel, Cafe de Royal offers crepes, both sweet and savory. In a twist, he also offers Russian cakes, including a honey cake. Plus, while he, like the other two French bakeries, make baguettes, unlike them, Cafe de Royal also bakes challah breads, including cheese, olive and raisin. And, perhaps most important, he offers souffles, four varieties: spinach, spinach artichoke, four-cheese and on weekends, salmon.
It seems residents may have to step up the cardio after tasting all these great French bake goods.
Cafe de Royal is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m (on weekends it stays open until 9 p.m.). It is located at 12 Wilsey Square, Ridgewood; 973-580-08
Ridgewood needs this as much as we need another nail salon. I give them a year.