Operating a bakery out of a New York apartment sounds improbable for most New Yorkers—if not verging on being illegal. For Gautier and Ashley Coiffard, it was simply the beginning of an unexpected journey.
The Coiffards had no professional baking experience prior to opening L’Appartement 4F. Ashley had a background in nursing, and Gautier, an engineer by profession, originally moved to New York in 2012 to pursue opportunities in his field. However, driven by a desire to recapture the tastes and textures missing in his new home, he began baking bread in their fourth-floor walk-up.
“I missed good bread from France,” he recalls, explaining that his first creations were just meant to satisfy his own craving for the taste of home. After some time, Ashley began selling Gautier's bakes to coworkers and friends, recognizing that he was crafting something of exceptional quality.
“I used my engineering background to understand the science—humidity, water percentage, butter type, timing. I had spreadsheets to see what worked,” he explains.
As Ashley took to Instagram to promote her husband’s once-personal baking project, hungry New Yorkers clamored for croissants, baguettes, and sourdough loaves during the pandemic. Demand soon exceeded their capacity. “Eventually, it was too much to keep running out of our kitchen,” Gautier remembers.
ROOM TO GROW
The couple's reputation for making exceptional bread quickly spread through the neighborhood. Recognizing the need for a local bakery, the Brooklyn Heights Association reached out, inviting them to open a permanent shop in the area.
In May 2022, the Coiffards gave the locals what they wanted, opening L’Appartement 4F just steps from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. The bakery carried forward the name from their original home bakery, moving into a bright, inviting space designed by the couple themselves. What they imagined would be a tranquil bakery and café quickly turned into a lively destination. “We thought it would be more relaxed,” Gautier notes, gesturing to the line outside on Montague Street.
BAKING BEYOND FRANCE
The bakers at L’Appartement 4F continue to employ the precision Gautier developed with his spreadsheets. Each croissant is hand-rolled after being carefully layered with butter. Patient proofing of the dough ensures the perfect balance: a crisp, flaky exterior yielding to a soft, honeycombed interior.
While rooted in classic French techniques, L’Appartement 4F embodies a playful creativity that showcases the couple's vision of blending tradition with inventive flair. The mini croissant cereal went viral for its tiny, perfectly laminated crescents. The baguette à tout is a take on the French classic that tops a traditional baguette with the bold flavors of a New York everything bagel—sesame, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, and coarse salt. It's not something you’d find in Paris, and that’s precisely what makes it special. Another beloved treat at the bakery is le framboise, an almond croissant that balances its classic sweetness with bright, tangy raspberry. “That’s definitely my favorite,” Gautier says with a smile.
The bakery’s offerings aren’t just limited to pastries. As the day transitions into evening, guests at the Brooklyn Heights location can enjoy a selection of wine and small plates accompanied by hearty slices of the house sourdough.
RENTING ANOTHER “APARTMENT”
In February 2025, the Coiffards made the inevitable jump across the river, planting their second location in the West Village. This move was driven by the growing demand from Manhattanites, many of whom had been visiting their Brooklyn location on weekends. Still, Gautier remains careful and deliberate, emphasizing their sustainable ambition. “We don’t want to spread ourselves too thin,” he says, with the wisdom of someone who has been baking since the wee hours of the morning. “Two locations was already a big step. Maybe a third, but that would be the max.”
Expanding to Manhattan brings its own set of challenges: rising real estate costs, and increasing competition. While the West Village location benefits from its vibrant neighborhood, Gautier is mindful that success isn't guaranteed just by location—it’s about maintaining the same quality and authenticity that their patrons have come to love.
The Coiffards are proof that New York remains a city of unexpected transformations, where people can swap steady jobs for dreams that once seemed wildly unattainable. It’s here, in the city's relentless chaos, that passion projects find footing and the most improbable ambitions can succeed—sometimes, even before all the paperwork is in order.
L'APPARTEMENT 4F
119 W 10th St
New York, NY 10011
115 Montague St
Brooklyn, NY 11201