As winter rapidly approaches, Café Du Pain Bakery in Lawrenceville, NJ looks to warm its patrons with unique baked goods.
Café Du Pain, which is located in the Lawrence Shopping Center, was founded by Marie Onyeani, a Haitian immigrant and chief baker for the establishment.
When it comes to her experience as a baker, Onyeani says “[When I was] growing up on the island [of Haiti], My mom was a baker, so I grew up watching her bake…I have always had a passion and love for baking, then I decided after 13 years of teaching that I wanted to pursue a real career into the baking industry.”
Onyeani notes how after several years of classes and research, she opened up Café Du Pain from her home in 2016. In 2018, the business re-opened with a retail location in Lawrenceville.
When walking into the bakery, one immediately notices the orange and brown walls, which are adorned with beige images of France and baked goods.
Twenty-two-year-old physical therapy assistant and Lawrence Township resident Kyle Ossowski notes that he likes this aesthetic, as “the earth tones bring out the bread.”
Café Du Pain’s color palette is not the only thing that stands out, as its staff greets customers like friends when they walk in. This comradery continues after one’s order has been taken, as the establishment’s staff converse with customers as dishes are being prepared.
When creating new menu items for Café Du Pain, Onyeani says that inspiration comes to her when she looks at international dishes with tastes that might be unfamiliar to the community. Onyeani also says that she puts a special focus on Haitian dishes.
One such example is the veggie pate lacaye, a pastry that costs $3.75 and is described as “Haiti’s favorite snack” on Café Du Pain’s online menu. While the pastry’s exterior is buttery and flakey, its center is filled with a savory vegetarian filling that has a subtle spicy kick to it. As a result, the center’s flavors feature a harmonious blend where neither flavor seems to outweigh another.
For those who are more traditional in their food choices, Café Du Pain also sells chocolate almond croissants. With a price of $4.75, the croissant features a soft, flakey consistency that is accompanied by a buttery taste. While the chocolate works well with this butter, it also blends perfectly with the almonds and powdered sugar sprinkled on top.
According to Café Du Pain’s Developer of Business and Strategy of Partnership Judithe Registre, the bakery intentionally sources their ingredients based on where they come from. For example, Café Du Pain Bakery sells La Colombe Coffee because of the company’s workshops in Haiti.
Speaking of hot drinks, Café Du Pain is currently selling spiced hot chocolate as a seasonal item for $2.50. While the drink’s spice is well-pronounced, it slightly overwhelms the chocolate. As such, it is best to let the drink cool slightly before indulging.
If there was an element to the bakery that could be better, it would be the music selection, as fast-paced jazz music plays behind the counter. While pleasant, the music is more reminiscent of a fashion show more than a bakery. Since the establishment has a focus on international food, music that reflects the dishes’ origins might be more appropriate.
Café Du Pain maintains a following throughout the local area thanks to its food and service.
61-year-old accountant and Yardley PA resident Denise Crum notes how her favorite menu item at Café Du Pain is the egg croissant. Crum elaborates on the item, saying that “the [egg] croissant is light and fluffy. It’s not oily and greasy like a lot of them are.”
Café Du Pain is also the recipient of the 2019 Lawrence Township Growth & Redevelopment Committee New Small Business Award. Melissa Clark, a committee member, says she nominated Café Du Pain for their community outreach.
Café Du Pain is located at 2495 Brunswick Pike, Unit 12.
