Minuto Bauli Bakery & Cafe - Union Square

Recently, Minuto Bauli, an Italian bakery chain which started in Verona, opened their first US store just off Union Square. A Minuto is a fresh, split brioche roll served with your choice of sweet toppings and fillings. It reminds me of a real Italian gelato store, where the "ice cream sandwich" is a gelato-filled brioche. There are also coffee drinks; many loaded up with pastry creams, whipped cream, fruit, nuts, and the like.

I ordered my Minuto filled with pistachio spread in one half and pastry cream in the other, sprinkled with chopped pistachios and powdered sugar. It was nice and light, and the brioche kept the whole the thing from being too sweet.

The shop itself is cute and made for social media, with a lavender Vespa parked in the doorway and lots of seating. My server was friendly and helpful, and made an excellent Americano.

Side Note: if you're going to Italy and haven't been to Verona, add it to your itinerary. It's beautiful and has seven Michelin-starred restaurants (and four Minuto Baulis).

Minuto Bauli, 866 Broadway, Flatiron.