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Super Nice Coffee and Bakery Opens on 108th Street

April 18, 2022 | 2:52 PM
in FOOD, NEWS
15
Photograph by Scott Etkin.

By Scott Etkin

A silver lining of the pandemic is that it has showcased the inventiveness of small business owners. Early on in the shutdown, Dan Cohen – the man behind the popular Danny Macaroons booth at Brooklyn’s Smorgasburg market — started experimenting with making doughnuts at his café, Super Nice Coffee and Bakery, in East Harlem.

“We didn’t make doughnuts in any serious way before the pandemic,” he said. Initially, Dan and his girlfriend made the doughnuts at night just for themselves. But later, they “opened up the gate and turned on Uber [Eats] and GubHub, which we had never used before, and people started coming out. It was this really nice thing that was happening when everything was so crappy.”

These creative doughnuts are now a main attraction of the Super Nice in East Harlem, and the bakery’s second location, which is now in its soft opening on 108th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus. In addition to doughnuts, the little shop sells French baked goods, breakfast sandwiches and more, via window service only, similar to the original Super Nice. “We got a lot of delivery business from the Upper West Side,” he said, explaining why he chose the the neighborhood for the second bakery.

Photograph courtesy of Danny Macaroons.

Danny Macaroons is still going strong, but Dan “never could envision a coconut macaroon store.” Opening Super Nice was instead an attempt to start a “great little neighborhood place.” He sells macaroons at the new bakery – “I’m contractually obligated,” he said with a laugh. All the baking is done in house is except for the macaroons since at 240 square feet, there simply isn’t enough space.

The doughnuts are made by hand from scratch in three forms: raised (yeast), vegan (yeast) and old fashioned (cake). Some of the more exotic flavors include: maple pecan, passion fruit, honey-glazed cornbread, Mexican hot chocolate and fruity pebbles.

“The inspiration [for different flavors] comes from all over the place,” he said. “We use these really beautiful purées, which are kind of like drink mixers” for most of the fruit glazes. Super Nice had a loganberry doughnut (a blackberry-raspberry hybrid), which they will be bringing back soon, because Dan’s girlfriend is from Buffalo, where loganberry is a popular drink. The mango-chili flavor was “from being in Spanish Harlem,” he said.

Super Nice’s UWS location is ramping up over this week – the signage and a bench out front are being installed and the kitchen isn’t yet at full capacity (doughnuts should be available if not this Friday then the week after). Since the service window is up a few steps, Dan said they will take payments outside for people with strollers or wheelchairs.

From handmade doughnuts to the hand-drawn pig logo (doodled by Dan himself), Super Nice has a personal, whimsical touch. “I’ve always enjoyed the businesses around the city that are like ‘Super Taste Noodles’ or ‘Happy Village,’” he said. “I didn’t have any name that I was particularly sold on. I just wanted to open a place that was super nice.”

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15 Comments
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Lizzie
Lizzie
3 years ago

Love the name. It’s super nice! Ever since La Toulousienne closed, we’ve needed a bit more French in our local baked goods. Welcome, Danny!

1
Reply
CardiZ
CardiZ
3 years ago
Reply to  Lizzie

I sometimes think about the owner of La Toulousaine. She was so nice. I come close to crying.

1
Reply
Terence Hanrahan
Terence Hanrahan
3 years ago

I had a chocolate-almond croissant that was super delicious and their coffee is good too. Go and support a local mom-and-pop coffee shop!

0
Reply
Sarah
Sarah
3 years ago

I started to write “how sweet” and then “how nice” but realized they were both horrible dad jokes. So, welcome!

0
Reply
Susan T.
Susan T.
3 years ago

We all welcome this new business to the UWS and of course wish them well. Will definitely go and support this place and experience their treats.

0
Reply
Jean C. Joachim
Jean C. Joachim
3 years ago

Can’t wait to try it out!

0
Reply
Sam
Sam
3 years ago

Oy vey! Just what my waistline needs. I can’t wait!

0
Reply
Joe
Joe
3 years ago

Hope they clean up all the trash in front.

0
Reply
Molly
Molly
3 years ago

Yeah-just what we need-more sugar, doughnuts etc.
Oh, I know people will say “you don’t have to eat it” Yeah I know but it would be nice to see some healthier places in this neighborhood to enjoy while the rest can get their sugar fix.

0
Reply
Tara
Tara
3 years ago
Reply to  Molly

No matter what Rag commenters complain. Empty storefronts? Complain! Empty storefront filled with a chain? Complain! Empty storefront filled with a local business? Complain, still, because why not.

1
Reply
Elizabeth Kellner
Elizabeth Kellner
3 years ago

Bought a half dozen this morning. Expensive, but big, fluffy and delish and had people to share them with!

0
Reply
Meg D
Meg D
3 years ago

YAY! This place is SO good, really excited to have a location near by. Also, super nice owner (yep, I said it).

0
Reply
Gaia Stern
Gaia Stern
3 years ago

OMGosh, guys, I remember La Toulousaine! Loved their raspberry mousse cake. I believe Nora, Jean’s wife, went back to Nicaragua after her husband’s passing from what I heard.

I doubt this will be as good as La Toulousaine but so far, looks delicious! As someone said, my waistline will surely increase. Welcome, Super Nice Coffee and Bakery to the UWS.

0
Reply
Bocheball
Bocheball
3 years ago
Reply to  Gaia Stern

Yes they were both so nice. I used to go there often. One of the few good croissants in the neighborhood. Much better than Silver something on Bway.Much friendlier too

0
Reply
Dan
Dan
3 years ago

Excellent iced coffee and macaroon! They had a decent line Sunday morning, so I must not be the only happy customer.

0
Reply

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