Famed Pastry Chef David Zaquine has announced the opening of his first French Patisserie with partner Jerome Assouline in New York City; Sweet Rehab. Located at 135 Sullivan Street, Sweet Rehab will incorporate traditional French desserts with a twist, giving the consumer an authentic experience. Each dish will be made directly in front of the consumer and will feature a seasonal menu using sustainable ingredients.
Notable Head-Chef David Zaquine brings with him 14 years of experience and has chosen the theme of addiction to set the tone of this new temple of culinary debauchery. From the edgy and genuine craft mastery, Sweet Rehab is a dessert bar where each customer will get to observe the concoction of their orders from raw ingredients to intricate delicacies through the open kitchen, appealing to all five senses. Guests are immersed in the production of high-end desserts, offering a truly interactive dining experience.
“I want to show customers something they’ve never experienced before; a dessert bar that allows them to witness the creation of their desserts from start to finish, whether they’re stopping in for a quick snack, strolling by on their lunch break, or picking up desserts for a dinner party,” said Zaquine. “The open kitchen concept unlocks all of the senses, customers can see, smell, taste and hear our creations being made.”
Originally from Paris, France, Zaquine has built an esteemed career as a pastry chef, working at some of the most highly respected restaurants and establishments in France and New York, including the Plaza Athénéé in Paris, Le Cinq at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris and Bagatelle in New York.
“My background is in traditional French pastries, but we want to combine different cultures through our dishes, adding in ingredients you don’t see every day like vanilla from Madagascar, Moroccan oranges that pay homage to my heritage, and locally grown, sustainable produce,” Zaquine continued. “At Sweet Rehab, pastries are the star of their own show and we’re taking them to a new level; one where they are independent and have their own place, while still carrying on the same ideals of a Michelin-starred dish.”
Sweet Rehab strives to educate the palate of the customer, where all of the senses get to experience the best and freshest ingredients. Dishes are freshly baked and made-to-order and incorporate unique and unexpected ingredients. Customers will be able to take on a journey of their own as they savor Sweet Rehab’s ever-evolving creations.
“Our goal is to open the kitchen and the French savoir-faire to the cosmopolitan world of New York City. We want every New Yorker to discover and experience unique desserts that are not found just anywhere,” said Assouline. “David and I partnered because we share the same passion for pastries and culinary delicacies. We combined my business background with his Michelin-trained background to create a dessert bar that brings a new concept to consumers. It’s more than ordering an item off the menu; it’s about seeing the full creation of a pastry, learning about the ingredients, watching and talking to the chefs while they work – an experiential dessert destination.”
Sweet Rehab will encompass an authentic, vintage interior, with décor imported from Paris and hand-picked by Zaquine and Assouline themselves. From antique light fixtures, vintage French mirrors, a brass and steel glass wall, to an original 1904 brick wall, Sweet Rehab incorporates David and Jerome’s Parisian background mixed with a sophisticated and edgy feel. There will also be a storefront countertop with a working chef station, viewable from the outside. The one constant idea throughout the design of the space is quality and authenticity.
Set to open its doors mid-November, the bakery will incorporate fresh and local ingredients and will offer vegan and gluten free options. The menu will highlight classic pastries such as lemon tarts, mille-feuille, vanilla éclairs, and a wide variety of croissants, all embracing David’s personal touch and identity. The space will feature both an intimate 14 seat full-service café, as well as a to-go patisserie for your sweet addiction. Sweet Rehab will be open Tuesday through Sunday.
