Harrison Residents Open Larchmont Boulangerie

In case you were doubtful of the authenticity of Larchmont's newest bakery/cafe La Parisienne, located on the corner of Boston Post Road and Larchmont Avenue, simply listen to the interaction between the shop's owners and its customers, many of whom spoke exclusively in French as they chatted casually with amiable staff the other day.

This should come as no surprise, since Larchmont is known for its community of French expats, as well as its French-American School located right down the street.

The new shop, which opened last Wednesday, is co-owned by Harrison residents and friends Philippe Panissieres and Anatoli Maslov. Maslov—who moved to Westchester in March after completing a tour in the French army—said that he was taken with the U.S. when he first came here on vacation.

His first reaction? 

"I said, 'wow'," said the Toulouse native. 

Panissieres and pastry chef Youssef Samba make all the baked goods sold at the bakery from scratch on the premises using fresh ingredients, a European tradition.

"In France, you don't have a different machine to make pastry.  You make it with your hands," explained Maslov.

Much of what La Parisienne offers falls into the baked goods category including four different flavors of croissants (apple, plain, cream and raisin, with chocolate to be added soon); brightly colored French macaroons; mille-feuille, a multi-layered cake also known as a Napoleon; chocolate eclair; tarts (strawberry, raspberry, lemon, kiwi and apple); mousse; lemon meringue and frangipane, an almond cream filling with a crust.

La Parisienne also serves some sandwiches and salads, and hopes to offer a more expanded menu in the future as well as catering.  They also will offer baking classes for children ages 5-11.

La Parisienne is located at 2116 Boston Post Rd. in Larchmont; (914) 630-4317; @mpfrenchfood; fb.com/laparisiennelarchmont; laparisienne.larchmont@gmail.com. Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.