The Best French Bakeries in NYC
And our favorite things we ate, saw and did this month
This week we’re sharing our Best French Bakeries in NYC list, highlighting our favorite things this month, featuring art + design fairs, food & shopping pop-ups and introducing you to our cool new friend: Shanna Nasiri of With Others wine bar.
Bar Contra
When we first started coolstuff.nyc, Contra was the place to be for fine dining – with one Michelin star, a cookbook, and a lot of hype. Well, times have changed post-pandemic and we’re all a little more casual. It’s appropriate then that the team behind the former tasting menu spot have reimagined their place in the city as Bar Contra: a cocktail bar with small bites that retain the same fun and innovative spirit behind the original Contra. Check out the spot in the same location in the LES at 138 Orchard street Tuesday–Saturday from 5:30-Midnight.
Meet Shanna, founder of the new, chic Williamsburg wine bar, With Others. We love that every time we’ve walked into With Others, Shanna is there – whether behind the bar pouring a glass of natural wine or bussing a table. We caught up with Shanna to hear a little more about how she built the community hot spot that is With Others.
What sparked your interest in opening your Williamsburg wine bar, With Others?
I can’t really attribute it to one moment. It has been something I've always dreamed of doing and also something I never thought I would actually do. It took several years to transition from my previous startup tech job to where I am today. I got a job at a wine bar and restaurant in Clinton Hill in 2022, and I loved working service, which solidified my feeling that this is something I should try. I knew it would be a lot of work, but I told myself if I found the right location, I have to go for it. I wanted to open up a place in my neighborhood of South Williamsburg, and had put 4 offers in before I found the location we are at today. This one was going to be my last one, and if it fell through, I was going to give up. Luckily it didn’t, and it ended up being the perfect space!
I can’t recall a particular moment or experience that set it off, but I’ve always loved to host, and I grew up in a family where my mom and grandma would often host huge parties with hundreds of guests, which I always loved helping and being a part of. I also love going to new restaurants and bars. In the back of my mind I always thought I wanted to open up my own place, and I reached a point in my career and life where I had the confidence and skill set to pursue it, and I mustered up the courage to just go for it and give it my all. I’m learning a lot along the way too. It’s still very surreal that I actually did it. The entire process was so difficult and I’ve never been more challenged or worked as hard as I am now. But it is really fulfilling and I do get the sense that this was something I was meant to create.
Tell us about how you find new wines for your bar!
I taste a lot of wine and have a handful of wonderful distributors that know the styles of wine I like. These distributors specifically showcase new producers and wines that come in, leading to the wine bar's changing menu.
What’s your favorite part about the New York small business owner community?
The overwhelming majority of business owners and people in the industry are so warm and friendly. I relied a lot on other business owners for advice and referrals when I was starting to build my business plan, and again during the build out period. I called up everyone, people I hardly knew, and everyone was so generous with their time, advice, and rolodex.
What is your most frequented bar or restaurant in the city (other than With Others)?
I love going to Layla and Marlow & Sons. It’s the best vibes always. True neighborhood spots.
Do you have a favorite new wine right now?
I’m newly obsessed with wine from Japan, from the producer Les Vins Vivants, Kigou Nagano Red 2022. I’ve tried a few of their wines and they're mindblowing, and are so distinct from any other wines I’ve had. So light, delicate, yet impactful. Lychee fruit on the nose and grape jelly. Tastes like watermelons, starfruit. The perfect summer chilled red!
Follow Along:
@with.others.brooklyn on Instagram
www.withothersbrooklyn.com
Guest written by Mahira Rivers of Sweet City
We’re always on the hunt for the perfectly crispy on the outside + soft on the inside baguette and the flakiest croissant in the city…so we decided research needed to be done! This week we collaborated with Mahira Rivers of Sweet City to hunt down the most delicious & authentic French bakeries in NYC. From laminated baguettes to sugar-crusted chouquettes, read on to to read the best of the best of Paris in New York.
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