STEP INSIDE CHEZ MICHEL French Bakery and Market in Olde Avon Village, and you’ll be met by the aroma of warm, flaky croissants baked fresh daily. Your stomach may begin to growl as you spot the pastry rack that offers up to 20 scrumptious treats each day.
If you’re in the mood for something savory, you may want to try the Chez Michel’s Polish pizza: a pierogi filling made of potatoes, cheddar cheese and scallions, stuffed into a homemade white bread pocket and brushed with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese. Or, why not splurge on one of the restaurant’s charcuterie boards and wine samplers?
“We offer pretty much everything you can imagine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, all the way through dessert,” says Cory Thompson, executive chef of Chez Michel and the George Clifton Barn.
Located at 36840 Detroit Road, Chez Michel is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., although Thompson says those hours are subject to change.
Inspired by French cuisine, Michael Larson opened the establishment in late 2018.
“Between traveling to different countries and even going to New Orleans, where you can get hot, fresh beignets out of the fryer, Michael Larson realized that there was nothing like that around the area,” Thompson says. “We’re trying to provide that mom-and-pop type of feeling, something a little bit more intimate. It’s a different experience than you would get at a grocery market.”
Even though Chez Michel has only been open to the public for several months, Thompson says, the community’s support has been strong, so much so that the bakery already has a few regulars.
Impromptu specials and local partnerships are helping to build that loyalty. For example, on one Saturday morning, the first 100 customers to walk through the door received a free cinnamon bun. Additionally, the bakery features a dessert exchange program with Strip Steakhouse, where customers can order their favorite guilty pleasures from Chez Michel at Strip and vice versa.
“A big part of what we do is we try to grasp the full user experience,” Thompson says. “We’re always trying to stay ahead of the curve and keep people happy with items that are most requested and items that are always keeping people interested.”
To keep up with the happenings of Chez Michel French Bakery and Market, check out the bakery on Facebook at @chezmichelfrenchmarket or Instagram at @chezmichelfrenchbakery. Additional updates can be found on Strip’s Facebook page at @stripsteakhouse.
