3 Michelin stars - exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey
A friend of mine told me about a new french bakery that he discovered while staying in Middletown. The bakery, Le Bec Sucré ("sweet tooth") is owned by a French couple recently opened back in Spring 2020. He said he had one of the best croissants. I was a little skeptical because one of the best croissants I've ever had was in a bakery in Old Quebec city. He confidently said, "yes, they are just as good". The next day, my partner and I woke up at 8 and decided to go on an adventure to Middletown, RI. After an hour and a half drive, we discovered that the bakery closed at 10:30 AM when the closing time is at 12:00 PM according to Google. With confusion, we knocked on the door. The owner came out and told us that all the baked goods were sold out an hour ago and apologized for our long drive. With disappointment, we walked back to our car and searched for our next destination for breakfast. As we were about to drive off, the owner came out with his wife and staff and offered us a few baked goods that he saved for this staff. We felt extremely grateful and offered to pay. He rejected our offer and told us to call ahead and he will save them for us the next time we come.
We opened the bag full of surprise goodies. We had the Pain au Chocolat, Pain au Chocolat aux amandes (maybe), and Croissant (maybe). We took our first bite and felt we had a little piece of heaven. The chocolate croissant was flakey and buttery outside and soft and chewy inside. It just melted in our mouth. We both looked at each other and smiled with joy. All three are equally amazing. They were teasers for our mouth and telling us to come back for more. We've planned our next trip to come back this coming Saturday. We've spread the news to our friends. The kindness of the owners and their staff and the amazing baked goods are worth 3 Michelin stars in my book. We will continue to support their small business and make it our special trip to...
Read moreOur trip to Le Bec Sucré in Rhode Island was nothing short of magical. This French artisan bakery has quickly become one of our favorite discoveries—a place where passion for craft meets warm hospitality.
We arrived early in the morning and were greeted by a line of people stretching into the parking lot, all eager to experience the bakery’s renowned creations. The doors opened promptly at 7 AM, and despite the crowd, there was this unspoken excitement in the air. No one minded the wait. Everyone seemed to understand: good things—truly exceptional things—are worth it.
The owner himself was incredibly welcoming, exuding the kind of genuine warmth that makes you feel less like a customer and more like a guest in his kitchen. As we made our way inside, we were immediately surrounded by the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked bread and buttery pastries.
We sampled several croissants, both chocolate and classic, each one a perfect symphony of crisp, flaky layers and delicate, buttery richness. The blueberry pastry was another standout—light, airy, and bursting with fresh flavor. But what made the visit even more special was trying one of the chef’s specialties. With such eloquence and passion, he walked us through the process of how he created it, revealing the mastery and precision behind every fold and flourish.
With a box full of pastries and fresh coffee in hand, we headed out to Rhode Island’s stunning coastline. Sitting by the water, we savored every bite as the morning sun danced on the waves. It was the perfect way to enjoy our French delights—surrounded by the salty air, soft ocean breeze, and the beauty...
Read moreLe Bec is the undisputed hero of quarantine (and my heart). It's a magical place. There's a glimmer in everyone's eyes, from the people waiting in line in the blistering sun to the people behind the counter. (Must be the knowledge that we're in the presence of the best baked goods ever to grace the earth.) When I wake up to the sound of birds early on a Saturday morning, the first thought that enters my mind is "IT'S LE BEC TIME." I speed the whole way there, get out of the car to join the herd of avid disciples waiting to get their fix, and stand in line with suspense building to see what's on the counter. When they welcome you into the shop with open arms, you'll see a bountiful feast splayed before you — especially if you get there in the sweet spot, between 7:30am and 8:30am, when there's a wide variety of delicacies up for grabs. (Go too early, and some stuff might not be ready yet. Good things take time.) The owners and staff are genuinely happy to see you and explain what you're looking at. You can tell they're so passionate about their craft and care deeply about their customers' experience. This is the kind of place where they remember your name and order. When I bring home a full bag of pastries and a crispy yet soft baguette to my family, they're always so happy. I'm just the lucky middleman who can...
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