After today I can relax. The quest to find great coffee in NYC has been met. Australians can come to Manhattan without fear – you will not only not be flat-white deprived, but you will have the culinary advantage that visitors of only 2 weeks ago did not have. Just opened on 16th street near Union Square, is Breads Bakery, a Danish / Israeli partnership that not only serves exceptional coffee, but has pastries and breads to die for. (I don’t say this lightly, apparently they use real Danish butter….)

Lucky for us today, there were lots of tastings – the cheese sticks were the best, so light and tasty. Close behind were the olive alternative, which would be delicious at tipple time. But the chocolate almond croissant and the rugelah were also amazing and no wonder. Everything is made right there on the premises, it’s a brand new fit-out and visibly squeaky clean. Danish design, Israeli detail. Anything left at the end of the day is collected for the homeless by City Harvest. Although I don’t think there will be the need for them to call by very often…

The staff smile. When you live in New York you notice these things. In fact the interview process for staff involves a commitment connected to the ‘true love’ slogan on the back of the worker’s t-shirts. This is not a passing Valentine’s sentiment. Management only want staff who want to be there, who care about the product and the process. ( They are particularly interested in hiring good Aussie baristas… ) Of course these are early days, but having spoken to the managing partner today, I get the feeling these guys are the real deal. I’ll just have to go back regularly and monitor the development. And have a flat white, and a treat or six…