Stuck in Midtown Between Classes?

reported by Maria Elena Pombo Reyes and Julia Scinto,  Fashion Publishing

Next time you have a break between classes, step off the streets of New York and take a quick escape to Paris at the Macaron Café at 161 West 36^th St, just around the corner from Fashion Avenue (and a five-minute walk from 560!). There you will find handcrafted macarons in every flavor from classic strawberry to exotic mango and even a seasonally appropriate pumpkin cinnamon (we sampled the choco passion and the pumpkin cinnamon, which owner Cecile Cannone was kind enough to gift us, and they were divine!). Of course, there’s a full-functioning espresso bar and French-press coffee starting at just $ 1.75 that would go perfectly with a handmade chocolate croissant or crepe. If you have enough time for lunch, have a seat on the high-back couches and try out their award-winning menu (Time Out New York recommends the Venezia Salad with artichokes, bressaola, sliced fennel and roasted bell peppers).  You could also sample a Parisian-style baguette sandwich.

Winner of the Fashion Center Neighborhood Awards for Best New Restaurant in 2009, French owners Cecile and her husband brought Parisian flare to the neighborhood before the macaron boom hit the city, and they’re still going strong today with a second location on East 59^th St between Madison and Park Avenue.

Macaron Café is not only delicious, but it’s also gluten-free and kosher. There’s wifi to boot, so you can bring your laptop and tweet your friends about this gem of the Garment District.

P.S.: In true Parisian fashion, the kitchen is closed on Sundays!

For more information, visit their website: www.macaronparis.com