The other day I was having a highly productive (read BORING) day at home cleaning. But at least it’s exercise right? All that sweeping with the broom. Gosh I miss the days when I had a vacuum cleaner. But nobody in New York City seems to have one. They all sweep. Anyway, enough about that! This productive but boring day suddenly took a turn for the better when my boyfriend arrived home with a dessert from Dominique Ansel Kitchen. Oh he knows me well. So very very well. If you want to impress me, or apoligize to me, or just be nice to me, get me ANYTHING from the pastry wizard, Dominique Ansel.
Sweet Treats
NYC Restaurant Week: Riverpark
NYC Restaurant Week kicked off this Monday where diners can enjoy a 3-course lunch for $29 or a dinner for $42 at select fine dining restaurants across the city. Long before I came to live in NYC, I had been an avid watcher of the TV show ‘Top Chef’. One of the judges on that show is Tom Colicchio, who owns Riverpark as well as Craft and Craftbar & several others in the city. Riverpark is situated right by the East River, so a beautiful evening view while eating your meal is an added bonus. The restaurant itself is chic yet still inviting, with leather and pin-lighting throughout. I found it to be very comfortable: both with the seating and noise level. Tables are spaced well-enough apart that you can hold a conversation without having to raise your voice. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. There’s nothing more I detest than to go to an upscale restaurant and have rude or snobby service. Thankfully, you won’t find that at Riverpark.
Chilly Penguin Religieuse
This adorable little penguin religieuse ($7) from Dominique Ansel is almost too cute to eat. But make sure you do, because he is divine! This little guy is all bundled up for winter with his earmuffs and scarf made of marshmallow. His eyes, beak and wings are crafted from white and dark chocolate. The choux pastry is filled with Mexican hot chocolate cream with a hint of chili.
Pies from Two Little Red Hens
The cupcakes at Two Little Red Hens were one of the first I ever tried when I moved to New York City in 2012. I’ll be honest; ‘normally’ I’m not a big cupcake fan. A lot of the time they have way too much buttercream frosting, and are too sweet for my liking. Which is why…
Chocolate-Raspberry Croissant from Épicerie Boulud
Colored croissants are not as common in the US as they are in Europe. This beautiful, striking Chocolate-Raspberry Croissant ($4) from Daniel Boulud takes 3 days to make. It is unique in the fact that the layers are so precise, you could count them, and the outside is crunchy, with a sweet, buttery inside. But be fair warned: this croissant is not for the faint of heart. It is sinfully rich and decadent. The brains behind this candy-striped creation is Francois Brunet, who is in charge of the bread and viennoiserie at all of Boulud’s restaurants across the city.
Cotton Candy Creations at Ruimilk
Fans of cotton candy (or candy floss as it’s also known), can’t go past these adorable creations at Ruimilk in Flushing, Queens. First you choose your soft-serve flavor, vanilla or chocolate, or you can get a twist of both like I did. Then choose your cotton candy ‘rui’. As well as the super cute panda ($5.75), there’s…
Monsters from Las Delicias Patisserie
The Monster ($5.75) is described on the Las Delicias Patisserie website as the ‘perfect combination between a chocolate babka, a baker’s muffin and a melt-away cake in all its monstrous glory’. Being a huge fan of the chocolate babka, I was excited to try this interesting creation. Like nothing I’ve ever had before, the Monster was a…
Rolled Ice Cream from Minus Celsius
Thai-style rolled ice cream is popping up all over New York City. The latest location is on Grand Street, Chinatown. The Minus Celsius Ice Cream storefront is unassuming, as is it’s plain interior, but the flavours here aren’t compromised in the slightest. From the chalkboard you make your selection from flavours such as Crazy Cookie…
Wowfulls – Authentic Hong Kong Egg Waffles
One Saturday afternoon, I found myself at Smorgasburg, a big food stall market on the waterfront at East River State Park, Williamsburg. Before I even got inside the gates, I saw a girl walking out with with some kind of crazy-looking dessert and I thought ‘That’s what I’m getting!’ I saw the sign and figured…
Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie from Levain Bakery
If cookies are life to you, then forget the rest: the chocolate chip walnut cookie ($4) from Levain Bakery is the best money can buy. This 6 0unce (!) cookie’s outer edges are crispy, and the semi-sweet chocolate chips melt in your mouth. Even better, a lot of the time you can get the cookies…