New Life

Prominently displayed in the glass counter, the An Butter Salé catches the eye with an immediate textural contrast. The bun itself remains soft and chewy, but its base is toasted to a crisp finish as it drinks in melted butter, leaving sharp salt crystals to cut cleanly through the rich sweetness of red bean paste. The sibling Chocolat Butter Sun follows the same blueprint, wrapping whole chocolate in dough whose bottom edge takes on the fragrant crunch of a pan-fried crust.

New Life also bakes a diverse rotation of crusty European-style loaves that reveal deeper flavors with each chew. Combinations loaded with fruit and nuts include the Deux Myrtilles, pairing cream cheese with blueberries, the Pavé Macadamia with its dense scattering of nuts, and rustic loaves that fold sweet potato and roasted chestnuts into an elastic crumb. Savory appetites are covered as well, from bacon épis to the Naan Curry topped with spiced sauce.

Another local favorite is the Shiroi Cream Pan, a pale, pillowy bun piped to the brim with house-made custard upon order, prized for its tender crumb and smooth melt. Because this compact storefront is strictly takeout and popular items often sell out early, an arrival during the morning window yields the widest choice. Note that the counter accepts cash payments only.