Bergen County residents no longer have to book a flight to France to enjoy the comforts of a cozy French cafe. Las Valse des Fleurs in Englewood is a European-inspired floral boutique and charming cafe with a world-class baker. Everything is made in-house and from scratch, with a strong focus on freshness and quality.
The cafe’s location was formerly a bank, and the original vault is still intact. In fact, Owner and Founder Elina Paliakova plans to transform the vault into a shop selling gifts and delicacies. The rest of the space is fully renovated yet boasts many vintage and antique details. The interior seats 55 diners inside, while a private and intimate backyard area outdoors seats 20.
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Authentic French Cooking & Baking
“We aim to cook the way we would for ourselves—thoughtfully, carefully, and with deep respect for the ingredients,” Elina explains. That includes an assortment of menu favorites like crêpes, croques, and savory croissants such as Parisien (ham and cheese), Nordique (cream cheese and salmon), Dolce Rivier (prosciutto and fig jam), and Capri (mozzarella, pesto, and tomato).
Crepes have been Elina’s favorite dish since childhood and remain so today. “They carry many personal memories—summers spent at my grandmother’s home, where nearly every morning she prepared stacks of crêpes for all her grandchildren, while we took turns picking fresh berries from the garden for the filling; and childhood breakfasts at home, when my mother cooked. In our family, it was always a shared favorite, filled with warmth and tradition,” she recalls.
At La Valse des Fleurs, both sweet and savory crêpes are on the menu. Savory fillings include ham and cheese, mushrooms, and roast beef while sweet fillings feature butter and sugar, Nutella, and berries. Their signature Nuage Crêpes (Cloud Crêpes) are filled with an airy whipped blend of farmer cheese and cream, with variations including coconut, Nutella, and fresh berries.
Drinks & Dessert
Of course, the cafe’s drink menu provides a thoughtfully-curated selection of specialty coffees and teas. Popular choices include cappuccinos and lattes, but one signature drink is the espresso-based Elixir RoZe Latte. This is made with rose syrup, goat milk, and spices.
Flower-themed lattes such as Lavender latte and Rose Latte, prepared with both espresso- and matcha-based options, are popular. Their tea selection encompasses organic loose-leaf black, green, and herbal teas, as well as floral options.
Several drinks at La Valse des Fleurs are inspired by old-world European traditions. The Marie-Antoinette Hot Chocolate is a historic-style hot chocolate prepared with egg yolk, influenced by French court traditions of the 18th century. French Chicory Drink is a traditional chicory-based coffee alternative long associated with French café culture. Bicerin, a classic Italian drink from Turin, combines chocolate and espresso, and is meant to be enjoyed slowly.
Their dessert selection varies and includes a rotating selection. Highlights range from mousse pastries (both fruit- and chocolate-based) and croissants to madeleines, canelés, Basque-style cheesecake, and honey cake.
In addition to a daytime cafe menu, La Valse des Fleurs recently introduced a small dinner menu. This more traditional dining experience features classic French dishes such as coq au vin and beef bourguignon.
About The Owner
Elina has a professional background in law and the arts but dreamed of opening a flower shop. This idea evolved into a cafe concept, blending her personal interests in coffee and cafe culture and floral boutique. Her barista training and baking courses ultimately led to an internship at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Italy.
Meanwhile, Elina’s husband Ruslan has a background in culinary education in Belarus and has held a lifelong passion for cooking. He is the backbone of the kitchen and the architect behind the space.
Visit La Valse des Fleurs at 42 West Hudson Ave in Englewood. Look for them online to learn more.
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All Photos: © La Valse des Fleurs