Open for Business: La Dolce Cafe & Bakehouse, 461 Fifth Avenue

The bakery that's been in the works in the space last occupied by Lily's Gift Shop, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 10th Street, opened for business late last week after a very quick buildout. It's an Italian-style bakery, owned by Malaysians by way of Sydney, Australia, where the original La Dolce is (this one is the first U.S. outpost).

 

It's a fairly run-of-the-mill bakery and cafe, with a solid, if small, selection of cakes, tarts, pies, and other baked goods, including biscotti and croissants, all made in-house. Coffee and tea are also for sale (a regular coffee is $1.50), and gelato will be offered soon, along with an expanded baked goods selection.

Aside from the bakery items, there are a few salads and sandwiches on the menu as well. They're pretty straightforward, with deli meats, cheeses, and spreads on your choice of focaccia, ciabatta, or Turkish bread, for $5.50. For breakfast, you can get Turkish toast or raisin toast with jam, honey, peanut butter, or cinnamon, for $3.50. 

 

La Dolce may not be blazing any new trails in the culinary space, but it's clear that a lot of work goes into each product they offer, and those desserts look pretty tasty. And when was the last time a Sydney-based company decided to come over and open up in the Slope?

La Dolce Cafe and Bakehouse, 461 Fifth Avenue Brooklyn NY 11215. 718-832-8282.

Kahawa Cafe Coming to Fifth and Fifteenth

A new cafe is coming to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 15th Street, in the space that was last occupied by a rehab/physical therapy center that closed recently.

The coffee shop, which will be called Kahawa Cafe, got some simple signage within the past week, but not much more information is forthcoming; there's no online presence to speak of yet. A couple interesting clues, though: Kahawa is the name of a Nairobi suburb, and also means "coffee" in Swahili. 

La Dolce Cafe & Bakehouse Gets Signage on Fifth

The bakery that's been in the works on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street (in the space last occupied by Lily's Gift Shop) has gotten some signage. 

The sign, complete with a giant layer cake, tells us just about everything we need to know about thebusiness that's soon to open inside the space. Gelato, espresso, salads, sandwiches, biscotti, and other baked goods will be available (including cannoli, according to owner Keith), and just about everything will be made in-house. 

Leaf & Bean 2.0 Getting Close to Opening on Lincoln Place

Many thanks to a tipster for sending over these photos, which show that buildout is just about complete on the reboot of coffee and tea shop Leaf & Bean, which closed back in January after 40 years on Seventh Avenue between Union and Berkeley. 

The new, much smaller shop, is located on Lincoln Place just east of Seventh, in the storefront last occupied by Fashion East. 

While Leaf & Bean lost its novelty years ago (basically as soon as coffee became available outside of the grocery store), its friendly owners, charming atmosphere, and quaint, old-school feel helped it maintain a loyal clientele. It was a bit too big for its britches on Seventh, though, so hopefully this new location will fit just right. If that's the case, and if its fans come back (while attracting some new ones), Leaf & Bean might just pick up right where it left off. 

New Bar Gets Facade on Fifth Ave Near 15th Street

It was all the way back in December when I first learned that a bar was in the works at 545 Fifth Avenue, between 14th and 15th Streets, in the space that was last occupied by a bodega and butcher shop. Work has been steadily progressing ever since, and recently the elegant facade was revealed.

It's certainly classy, with two doorways flanking a large central window and simple woodwork. Unclear if grey will be the final color, but it certainly looks nice. Appears as if an awning will be soon be hanging above it all as well. 

 

It's a large space, and is certain to be one of the larger bars on this stretch of the avenue when it opens. As for a name, judging by the word "Prospect" stenciled above the doorway, I think it can be safely inferred that this will be either all or part of it. 

UPDATE: Via the New York Times: 

"A Manhattan restaurateur has taken a 15-year lease for a 3,330-square-foot retail space in this three-story mixed-used building. The space is being renovated and will open as a pub-style restaurant in the summer."