Opening Alert: PAUL Bakery & le Restaurant de PAUL Rise Downtown Today

A 126-year-old French bakery is bringing something fresh to Downtown Crossing today, and it's not just the bread and pastries. PAUL's latest outpost, on the ground floor of One Boston Place, offers grab-and-go baked goods, lunch, and coffee, and also a 112-seat restaurant serving French classics. And, "It's put together with French passion," the president of the Downtown Business Improvement District told the Boston Business Journal.

PAUL previously opened bakeries at Assembly Row and the Natick Mall, and has 600-plus others around the world. The downtown location is the local flagship, and the company previously announced plans to open a bakers' dozen more in the area over the next couple years.

In addition to sweet croissants, beignets, and choquettes at the cafe, there are tarts, quiches, sandwiches, salads, freshly squeezed juice, and Lavazza coffee. Le Restaurant de PAUL is the company's first full-service place in the U.S. In a press release, the company's president calls the fare "reminiscent of what our parents served in our family’s dining room when we were children." It's open for breakfast and brunch, too.

Dinner items include salade fermiere with greens, chicken, grated carrot, apple, Swiss cheese, raisins, and walnuts; a crepe with sauteed eggplant, zucchini, mushroom, pesto, and warm goat cheese; and tartines, puff pastries, and quiches that showcase the brand's raison d'etre. There are also hearty entrees, like beef medallions and a roasted half-chicken. The Herald reports PAUL is offering an exclusive nod to New England at the new restaurant: Creamy frappes blended with the bakery's macarons.

The Downtown Crossing location covers 6,600 square feet and has a 50-seat outdoor terrace. BostInno reports it will be open Monday - Friday from 6:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., but this first week, it's open 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.