Casual bites, elevated Italian flavors.
Following his success with San Babila, Gianmarco “Gianni” De Michele opens San Babila Café on the Upper East Side. The bright, open café buzzes with groups of patrons eating and chatting amongst each other. Immediately upon entering, you can see cases of pastries, sandwiches, and treats to choose from. All pastries are made on site, with the small exception of the macarons.
Starting with their signature Frozen Yogurt Croissant Cone is a must. Cut in half and shaped into a cone, the classic croissant holds a generous swirl of the creamiest pistachio frozen yogurt piled high above the rim. The savory croissant provides the perfect counterbalance to the indulgent filling.
(By The Knockturnal)
Continuing the decadence, the Dubai Chocolate Cannoli takes things a step further. A classic, creamy ricotta-filled pastry with a timely twist. The pistachio flavored ricotta is topped with crunchy kataifi, giving the filling the appearance of being light and airy — but the first bite reveals a dense, rich interior.
Next, the Caprese Sandwich balances out the plethora of sweets. Toasted on buttery herb bread and layered with thinly sliced tomato, spinach, and mozzarella. Every bite delivers a satisfying crunch and is filling while remaining refreshing.
For something on the fruitier side, the passionfruit mango croissant delivers a nice tropical taste. It’s sweet and chewy in the best possible way, with bright, fresh passionfruit and mango flavors that shine throughout. Keeping with the theme, biting into the perfectly square Mango Coconut Croissant Cube, topped with a slice of fresh mango and coconut shavings, reveals the lightest, creamiest mango filling. It’s flaky, buttery, and sweet without being overpowering — a standout dessert.
(By The Knockturnal)
The Chantilly Bomboloni offers a lighter turn — the most delicate flavors of the bunch. It’s a pillow-soft, doughnut-like pastry dusted with powdered sugar and filled with a light, airy cream custard. Perfect for those with less of a sweet tooth.
To drink, the tiramisu latte is a favorite. Topped with mascarpone and a dusting of cocoa powder, the beverage mirrors the flavors of a true tiramisu dessert. Initially, the mascarpone is thick enough that sipping through a straw takes a little patience. However, by design, it slowly melts into the coffee, creating an exceptionally creamy iced beverage.
(By The Knockturnal)
For the brunch lovers, San Babila Café offers a cooked menu from opening until 1:00 PM. This features a selection of eggs Benedict, including a Caprese Benedict, a smoked salmon Benedict, and a carbonara Benedict, among other classics and twists.
Whether you come for the pastries, the coffee, or a leisurely breakfast, San Babila Café offers a little taste of Italy that’s well worth seeking out.
