Melanie Dunn’s new shop (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)
Pastry Shop, North Park

Sweet Somethings from a New Pastry Shop in North Park

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

After a humble start in a somewhat obscure live-work studio in Hillcrest several years ago, former school teacher-turned-pastry-chef Melanie Dunn finally has a bonafide retail shop for her famous butter croissants, macarons, kouign-amann and other French delights.

Persevering through a series of delays brought on by the pandemic, Dunn finally opened a 1,500-square-foot bakery and shop on a visible corner at 30th and Gunn streets in North Park.

Keeping her brand name, Patisserie Melanie, the menu covers all bases in terms of fine French pastries, attesting to Dunn’s time invested at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned a diploma in pastry making. If you’ve never sunk your teeth into tarte tatin, chouquettes or chaussons, this is an ideal place to start if you aren’t heading to France anytime soon.

Dunn’s menu will venture into savory goods as well, with offerings such as Croque Monsieur sandwiches, ratatouille, and quiche Lorraine coming by early summer.