Alice's Tea Cup

I am not a huge fan of Alice's Tea Cup on W 72nd St right off of Columbus.  Yes, they offer a wide variety of well-brewed teas and the salads are crisp dressed with tanginess .  Yes, the concept and decor are adorable.  For some reason, I still do not like eating here.  Or, more specifically, I still do not like paying to eat here.  Unless I am supping with a group of 12 year-old girls, I prefer to go elsewhere.  It is probably because I think I can replicate most of their dishes at a fraction of the cost, even if my productions do not taste quite so good.

I will say that Alice's sells an impressive number of scones.  While I do make delectable scones, I am craving bread products.  That is why I bought two before a Trader Joe's excursion a few days ago.

a currant scone (right) and
a berry scone with white chocolate

Their scone selection varies day to day, which I have to respect.  Moreover, each scone comes with a little container of cream and jam for smearing purposes.  So, for $3.50 a piece, I will belly up to Alice's counter and shamelessly plaster each crumb with raspberry preserves and homemade clotted cream.

Katz's Delicatessen

After being abandoned by the vegetarians in favor of pseudo-dates and museum wanderings, I went to Katz's Delicatessen with some fellow omnivores.  Katz's Deli is on the corner of Houston & Ludlow or on Houston between Avenue A and 1st Ave, depending on which side of street you are coming from.

After standing in the doorway for a bewildering second, we followed the masses to the counter.  A handsome fellow offered a slice of pastrami on a plate as a sample.  (Pastrami is cured meat, usually beef, that has been brined, dried, seasoned, spiced, smoked, and steamed.  I did not know this.)  I had never tasted pastrami before and Katz's was probably not the best place for this.  Undoubtedly, their pastrami has ruined me forever.  

The meat was perfectly prepared; it was moist and full of flavor but not over spiced.  The bread was fairly standard sandwich bread and it was slathered in mustard.  Katz's also serves soups and salads, in addition to a variety of other sandwiches.  Their food is a little expensive, especially for a ravenous and snobbish college student.  Each sandwich is about $16, but it can be easily split between two people and leave each person feeling satisfied.  If you tip the sandwich-maker, he'll give you even more meat, too.  I had one whole sandwich to myself and you better believe I finished it.

Katz's Delicatessen prides itself on being one of the few remaining and real delicatessens left because "they continue a tradition of meat preparation and preservation predating refrigeration".  It is also the location of this famous scene from When Harry Met Sally:

In other words, Katz's is a place of historical, gastronomical, and cultural import!  Which completely justifies the three hours and $20 I devoted to eating there!

Pommes Frites

When I first went to Pommes Frites (on 2nd Ave between 7th St and St. Marks), I was completely unaware of what I was about to experience.  Sure, the shoppe is advertised as a vendor of "Belgian fries", but who really cares?  Fries are fries.

I probably should have realized that I had stumbled across something entirely different as soon as I removed one perfectly crisp potato baton from the paper cone.  I did not know these fries were to be savored as the fries of Belgium.  I merely thought this third snack of the day was a world class and ingenious twist of the more well-known fries.  I can only hope that the powers-that-be can forgive me for my ignorance.

According to The One and Only Belgian Fries Website, six traits distinguish Belgian fries: freshly cut and irregularly shaped; cooked or fried twice; fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside; a distinct potato taste; a thickness of at least 10 mm; and they should be served in a paper cone.

Clearly, I have not sampled many Belgian fries.  (Shame on me.)  But Pommes Frites' potatoes were fried to perfection, irregularly shaped, and oh so crisp.  My group of 8 ordered the regular cone of fries.  Yes, we had just sampled pastries from Veniero's and ice cream from The Big Gay Ice Cream Shop, but everyone ate a satisfactory helping of fries because the regular cone of fries is just so gosh darn large.  In addition to the usual mayonnaise dipping sauce, we also sampled the Honey Mustard Mayo, Pomegranate Teriyaki Mayo, and Sweet Mango Chutney Mayo dipping sauces.  The whole snack cost about $8 ($4.50 for the fries, another dollar for each of the tasty sauces).

So, huddled over a little table made for cone-encased fries and perched on wooden high chairs, my friends and I found the final bit of space in our stomachs and gorged ourselves on fries.

Merilu Pizza Al Metro

I do not think I will ever live long enough to fully appreciate everything that Hell's Kitchen has to offer.  Not only are there dozens and dozens of places to eat and drink, but I also cannot resist going to old favorites such as O'Flaherty's and Room Service whenever I am in the neighborhood.

pizza margherita

Thankfully, someone recommended Merilu Pizza Al Metro, so I bravely led a group of friends past bars, bakeries, and bistros to the little pizzeria on 9th Ave between 52nd and 53rd St.  Apparently, Merilu, the owner and mother of four, brought the recipes for the pizza from her home in Torino, Italy.  I interpret this as a divine indication that I should go to Torino.  And sample all pizzas.

The pizza was excellent, mostly due to their incredible sauce and thin crusts.  The guy behind the counter was nice and patient as I tried to overcome fatigue and place an intelligible order.  Overall, a slice of pizza margherita and a root beer cost less than $6.  There is a good chance that buying pizza from Merilu before bar hopping in Hell's Kitchen will become my new default activity.  Prepare accordingly.

Prosperity Dumpling

After The Week of Consumption (But Not Tuberculosis), I have no money.  When Planned Parenthood or GreenPeace or Human Rights Campaign tricks me into thinking they are asking for directions and instead asks for a monthly contribution of ten dollars, my denial is no longer based on the principle that giving out checking information on the street is risky but on the fact that I cannot overdraw.  Fortunately, I get paid on Friday.

Even though I have enough food in my kitchen to allow a comfortable hibernation for the next week, I appreciate variety.  And so, armed only with an unlimited subway card filched from my roommate and two dollars worth of laundry quarters, I cautiously made my way to Prosperity Dumpling in Chinatown.  I say "cautiously" because I dislike the B-D-F-M-Orange-Line Thing.  It confuses me: half the time, the uptown line is actually running west and half the time the uptown line is running in another direction.  More importantly, it splits where I do not want it to split.  I slowly navigated through streets that neither numbered nor lettered and finally found Prosperity Dumpling.

It was all worth it.  The irritating subway ride, the darkening streets, the gaggles of teenagers cutting me off while I tried to have a meaningful conversation with my sister.  I would do it again in a heartbeat made sluggish by too many fried dumplings.

With my sad fistful of eight quarters, I bought five dumplings and a healthy wedge of a sesame pancake as the same cluster of teenagers arrived and lined up behind me.  Suckers.

The five dumplings were fried to perfection and stuffed with pork and chives.  The skin of each dumpling was expertly fried to the crisp golden-brown that colors my dreams.  It tasted just good.  The pork and chives were blended well.  Prosperity Dumpling achieves the perfect pork-to-chive-to-soft dumpling skin-to-fried dumpling skin ration and costs $1.  Bravo.

The sesame pancake was delicious in the same way that green onion pancakes are delicious.  There is some flavor folded within the warm, doughy goodness that keeps me coming back for more.  Perhaps it is the sesame. Then again, that would be too simple.  This also cost $1.

If you only have $2 and your roommate's unlimited subway card, Prosperity Dumpling should be your only stop.

Big Gay Ice Cream Shop

Ever so bravely, the city of New York is entirely side-stepping Winter and fluidly transitioning into Spring.  I have accepted the snowless months behind us and so decided to embrace sunlight, wool-less outfits, and 70 degree weather.  Mostly because this means I can eat ice cream in public without enduring the incredulous looks of passersby.

The Big Gay Ice Cream Shop (check out their website - the photos are very funny) is on 7th St in the East Village between 1st Ave and Avenue A.  I think the men working there at the time were actually the owners.  I hope they are because they were amazing.  Each created ice cream wonders confidently and without pause, which I'll admit is the way to my heart.  As they made salty pimps and cococones, they talked to each other and casually invited each customer to contribute their thoughts on curried coconut and the unicorns on the walls.

The Big Gay Ice Cream Shop is particularly known for their Salty Pimp.  One man gouges streaks of dulce de leche into the sides of swirled vanilla ice cream.  The cone, our stage for this drama, is inverted and the ice cream is dusted with sea salt before it is dumped into liquid chocolate.

salty pimp

I also sampled the Cococone, which is vanilla ice cream covered in toasted curried coconut.

cococone

And here are the photos I attained by accosting fellow customers/friends:

american gobblers, perhaps?

something?

O'Flaherty's

Spring Break is tragically drawing to a close.  My body is physically rejecting this reality with a lovely pounding in my noggin.

I spent the time off school by communing with friends, meandering through emotionally exhausting museums, and eating.  Yes, eating.  In fact, the majority of my time was spent walking between feeding stations.  One particularly memorable day, I snacked on an apple and a coffee in Union Square, then marched the seven blocks to an Italian pastry shop to devour a cannolo before wandering over five blocks to an ice cream shop to sample their product, and finally finishing the afternoon's grazing two blocks to the west by gorging myself on some Belgium french fries.  Three hours later, after digesting a reasonable amount, I dined on a lobster roll.

The week's major festivities concluded on St. Patrick's Day with a little bit of bar-hopping and a lot of day-drinking.  I managed to claw my way into a couple Irish bars with varying degrees of respectability.  This place was by far my favorite.  I dedicate this post to the gentleman I met in line for the bathroom.  He decided to take advantage of the bathroom light switch's location outside the door and destroy the aim of the man using the toilet.

O'Flaherty's Ale House & Restaurant, located on 46th St. between 8th and 9th Ave, is an Irish pub.  Shockingly.  I stumbled upon this gem with some friends earlier in the year and decided to return for St. Patrick's Day.

First of all, I loved this place the first time I imbibed there.  The waitress was hysterical and very helpful, the beers on tap were generous in size and reasonably priced, the live music was pretty good and not at all obnoxious, and the crowd was good-natured and entertaining.

the darling patrons

It is not immediately apparent, but this place is freaking huge.  And somehow this translates into a bit of everything, decor-wise.  There is a bar with bar stools and the like at an appropriate distance from what I can only assume is a strapping young Irishman playing the guitar.  There is a backyard (that's right) with outdoor seating and flora.  There are couches surrounding small tables.  There is another couch framed by shelved books next to a coffee table.

the appetizingly-colored corn beef

On St. Patrick's Day, a friend of mine ordered their corned beef entree.  We were a bit skeptical, but that meal kept us going for the next five hours.  The corned beef and adjacent cabbage were fortifying and perfectly complemented the beers.  I discovered a drink called The Black Velvet.  If, like me, you have struggled to choose between a thick, dark beer (like Guinness) and something a little lighter (such as hard cider), never fear!  The Black velvet is a beer cocktail that is historically made with wine or champagne, but for our purposes at O'Flaherty's is made with Granny Smith's Cider.  Order it!  It is basically adult candy.

this is a horrible photo in all respects
but I post it because the guy in
the background is sporting a
green mustache.

Governor's Island

I realize it is a little late in the summer, but go to Governor's Island!

on the western shore of Governor's Island

This particular island is just south of Manhattan.  There is a free ferry Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and free bike rentals on Fridays.  Governor's Island is lovely and flat, so it is the perfect way to enjoy those last few days of pleasantly warm weather before the chill creeps in.

More importantly, there many different events on the island throughout the summertime.  (Here is a list of this summer's activities, free and otherwise.)  My favorite by far is the Jazz Age Dance Party.  I accidentally stumbled upon this 20s jazz festival when I first visited Governor's Island.  Dozens of people dressed up as flappers and philosophers swarmed the island and danced on the grass to fantastic music.  The whole affair is presented by Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra.

Some things to look forward to as summer slips away: Rock the Bells Concert, the NYC Unicycle Festival, Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival, and Vendy Awards (for foodies!  foodies everywhere!).  If you cannot make any of these, mentally note Governor's Island for next summer!

view of Manhattan and Brooklyn

The High Line: Revisted

Remember this post?  Well thanks to the strategic Jack (who was actually the original person to tell me about the High Line), I read an article in the New York Times called "Walking On Air" about the High Line and the culture there now.

As it so happens, I had my own experience with the High Line and her artists.  During my first spring in New York, my mother visited me and we toured the city together between those pesky midterms.  We strolled through Union Square one day and spotted a man selling tiny photographs of the city.  It turned out that he made his own pinhole cameras (aka camera obscura) with little tins and old film canisters and then sold his work.  An amateur photographer who once developed her own film, my mother eyed the photographs and, probably remembering our string of extravagancies and acting with her usual consumer's hesitation, moved on.  I mentally noted the man and his wares and resolved to come back at a later date.

For the better part of a year, I made sure to glance at the artwork in Union Square on my way to dumplings or Italian pastries or the occasional performance.  Then, my roommate and I hauled our weary feet up the two flights of stairs to the High Line and slowly meandered above the street.

He was there!  I gushed and jabbered and told him of my search.  It would seem that Union Square had become too commercial for him (unsurprising, especially after six years of vending in the same location) and the High Line is now is regular spot.

The photograph I ultimately bought for my mother is black and white and was probably taken in Brooklyn.  Two adjacent apartment windows form dark frames, capturing the Brooklyn Bridge in one and the Manhattan skyline in the other.

mom with soon-to-be cousin Andrea

Wafels & Dinges Cart

Freshman year I lived off of weird combinations of granola saturated with sugar, peanut butter with raw broccoli, questionable omelets...  The point is, I now find some foods a little less appealing than I used to (like waffles).  But the Wafels & Dinges Cart is freaking fantastic.  And it's such a pretty cart!

what kind citizens those wafels & dinges people are

It's a little expensive (ranging from $5 to $8) but they have sweet and savory waffles and they are delicious and worth it.  Usually they park around Columbia at 113th St. and Broadway on Mondays from about 8am to 5pm.  Not sure how that's going to work now that school is out, but the cart's location can be found here.  

a wafel with nutella, strawberries, and whip cream
we embraced the experience

If it doesn't make a difference to you, I'd recommend the softer waffle - the liège wafel - which is doughy and chewier and really good, even compared to its well-cooked, crispier counterpart.  

Pisticci

Pisticci is another Italian restaurant in the Morningside Heights/Columbia Area.  It's on La Salle St. between Broadway and Claremont Ave.  The restaurant is really cute and they have a little patio area out in the front that is incredibly nice in the sun.  So far, I've really enjoyed brunch (nutella con pane, what what) and desserts here, but if you are interested in dinner, I would recommend just going around the corner to Bettalona instead.  The one time I had dinner here, I enjoyed the meal, but I thought I could have made something almost as good for much less of the price (I think I got the fettucine al funghi).

That said, my lovely friend Margaret and I communed over some coffee and dessert on Saturday and it was quite pleasant.  We each got an iced caffelatte and then split a frangelico chocolate mousse.  It was a lovely treat to take a break from finals and relax in the sun/intermittent rain.

everything is so nice and summer-like!

The iced coffee was as it should be, refreshing and flavorful without being two sweet.  The chocolate mousse was yummy, too.  The frangelico was more of a subtle taste and the chocolate was the main flavor, but at the end of the day, is that really a problem?  Plus, the raspberries, whip cream, and mint are all classics.

Fridays and Saturdays at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

So on Fridays and Saturdays at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (HAH... that's the title of the post....), the powers that be open up the so-called Great Hall Balcony Bar where you (and your parent/big money spender) can be waited upon and served cocktails and appetizers which is accompanied by live classical music.  If you're not willing to pay (me), it is lovely to just stand by and listen to the music as you look out over the Great Hall.  (It is not exactly a concert situation, so don't get too excited.  But it is a nice stop on your way out the door.)  Check it out.

Ciao Bella - Blackberry Cabernet

I have to tell the world about this.  Ciao Bella is a gelato and sorbet company that started in San Francisco (represent!) and is now taking over the world.  Meaning it is spreading to other lovely place, like New York City.  But even if there isn't a Ciao Bella store near you, you can still buy pints of their ice cream at most grocery stores.

Ice cream is getting painfully expensive, especially for a college student.  A pint goes for about $5.69 in New York, which causes me physical pain.  BUT it gets cheaper if you share with someone else.  Plus, half a pint of ice cream is still cheaper than getting a few scoops of ice cream anywhere in Manhattan.

Point being, try the pint of Blackberry Cabernet Sorbet.  It is so good.  You will not regret the $6.

Room Service

The last time I went here, I was still recovering from my concussion (and telling people I head-butted someone in a bar fight.  Don't get on my bad side), and this place made it close to being all better.  That's right, people; this place can almost cure a brain-bruising.  It is easily the best Thai food in the city, and the best Thai food I've ever had.  Just the other night I went again with Ariana, Caitlin, and Susan and we got to sit next to the chandelier.  (You will get the significance of this when - not if - you go here.  Anyone who can tell me what material encases the chandelier gets a price.  Again, go.  You'll see what I mean.)

Room Service is a Thai restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, on 9th Ave. between 47th St. and 48th St.  From the outside it doesn't look like much, but inside the decor is chic and adorable.  The restaurant itself is not very wide but very long and decorated with tiles, mirrors, and chandeliers.  As for the service, everyone is perfectly nice, but you might have to wait a bit if the restaurant is crowded.

Their food.  Oh dear God, their food.  Everything I've ever ordered there was amazing.  Something to know: they have a lunch special that is basically a steal.  Starting at $6.90, you get one of their lunch dishes with a side of Jasmine rice, PLUS a free appetizer.  The price varies depending on what you order (I recommend the Lychee and Shrimp Fried Rice or the Ginger and Lemongrass Chicken), but the most expensive item is around $14.  The Jasmine rice isn't included with rice and pasta dishes, but I can accept that.

Appetizers.  I've tried the spring rolls (perfectly drizzled in a plum sake sauce), the shrimp and chicken dumplings (yumyumyum), and the coconut-battered calamari (basically like calamari onion rings but they come with a dipping sauce that can only be described as a sweat-and-sour salsa).  Each dish is reasonably priced and worth it.

spring rolls ($3.20/four spring rolls)

As for entrées My personal favorite is the Pineapple Fried Rice.  I've ordered it maybe seven times now, a couple times with tofu and once with mixed seafood.  One thing I will say: their tofu is not spectacular.  While it is perfectly edible and protein-enriched, it is not fall-to-your-knees-and-thank-the-lord-JESUS good.  My sister tried the Pumpkin Curry Chicken and almost cried with joy.  Other favorites are the Pad Thai and the Pad See Ew (like the Pineapple Fried Rice, you can choose between tofu, chicken, vegetable, shrimp, salmon, filleted fish, mixed seafood, maybe something else...).  The entrées range from $8.90 to $15 or $16.

pineapple fried rice with tofu

pad thai

The drinks are a little more expensive.  Beers are about $5.50, cocktails around $9-$12, with something for everyone in between.  For the more adventurous and lychee-inclined, I'd be jealous of any lychee drink: the lychee mojito, the lychee sangria, the lychee mimosa.  While the drinks can be more expensive than the food, from what I've seen, they are all extremely reasonable with their proportions.  Meaning the mojitos come in a full mixing glass (those ones that are about a pint).  For non-drinkers, the Thai Iced Tea is fantastic and the hot teas are also yummy.

the table next to us had what looks like a pomegranate mojito
and a lychee mojito

Sorry about the quality of the photographs.  It is a restaurant whose lighting (or lack thereof) foils the combination of even my cheap camera and photography skills.  Also, this place is perfect for before (or after) going to see a show!

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

Yes, this is the one with Daniel Radcliffe in it.  If you have the chance to see this show, you should definitely make the effort.  Daniel Radcliffe does a superb job, as does the rest of the cast, the dialogue is flawless and hysterical, the songs were spectacular, and the choreography was amazing.  Yes, I realize this is finals week, but I am a firm believer in well-deserved study breaks (and even notso well-deserved study breaks), especially when there are theatre tickets at a great price.  Such a treat!

Caffe Falai

Caffe Falai, right near the intersection of Prince St. and Lafayette, is my favorite Italian place in New York City.  It is as close to actual Italian food as you can get on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.  I usually just order the Spaghetti al Pomodoro because it is so simple and yet so so so good.

spaghetti al pomodoro

Another new favorite is the cappelacci di caprino.  Are you ready for this?  Basically it is a plate of cappelacci with a red beets pure, hazelnut butter, swiss red chard, and pine nuts.  As for appetizers, I recommend the polipo (baby octopus with fingerling potatoes, fried capers, smoked paprika, black squid ink sauce) or the bufala (fresh buffalo mozzarella with roasted vegetables, lemon zest, and crotons).

polipo

This restaurant is the little bit more expensive ($20 to $50) but it is worth it.  The restaurant is adorable, the food is delicious, the Italians who work there are endearing (and supply you with endless bowls of homemade bread).  Heads up: they just finished expanding their restaurant and it looks like they are opening up a bakery next door. BE ALERT PEOPLE.  BE ALERT.

Produce at Westside Market

Hello people... So many many excellent things are in season now which means fruit and vegetables for all! A couple things to look at for now, prices are from Westside Market:

• Pineapple - $4/each
• About pineapple: the way to tell if it is ripe is to try to pull out one of the leafy things (what are those called?!  Offshoots, maybe...?) on the top.  If it comes out easily, it is ripe!
• Grapefruit - $3/5 grapefruit
• during the winter, for whatever reason, they go for $2/4 grapefruit, so you are really only paying an extra $0.10 per grapefruit but I give you license to grumble about it
• be careful which ones you choose, some have reportedly dried out!
• Corn - $2/4 ear
• who decided to call it an ear of corn?
• check if it is good by pulling back all that crap and looking at it
• Green beans - $1.29/lb
• green beans prices can vary from $1/lb to like $4/lb depending on the season.  I am usually only willing to pay in the $1-$1.29/lb range, even for green beans
• Watermelon - $0.69-$0.79/lb
• the whole watermelons cost $0.69/lb which adds up super quickly and is a bit horrifying
• I suggest buying a quarter of a melon at $0.79/lb... the range from $3 to $5 and your cutting efforts will be drastically lessened. 

Veniero's Pasticceria

One of my professors showed this place to me and as a result she has changed my life.  Veniero's Pasticceria kind of sucks to get to if you don't have much time.  Located on 11th St. right off of 1st Ave., the shop is closest to Union Square so try to take the subway there and walk southeast.

It is true-Italian/European style, so everything is more expensive if you sit down and enjoy the ambiance, but it's not too bad.  They offer all sorts of coffee - including caffè corretto ("corrected coffee" or coffee with a little something extra... oh you Italians make me laugh) - and cakes and cookies and gelato.  Furthermore, they serve tartufo (a ball of gelato covered in chocolate shavings with a cherry in the middle) that was perfectly adequate as it was the first time I've seen it in this country, but nowhere near as good as the tartufo I had in Rome.

If you have the chance to head over to Veniero's, here's what you absolutely must try: the cannoli (there's like four different varieties... I don't care.  Choose one), the tarts (regular-sized to mini, kiwi to blueberry), the little fruit rugalas (especially the raspberry rugala), and the pistachio-tulip cup (it's a chocolate cup filled with pistachio cream and Bavarian cream and God knows what else).

all the goodies

If you have to choose just one thing, try the cannoli.  I can't be anywhere on the East Side without purchasing one.

Kyotofu

This place, Kyotofu, is in Hell's Kitchen - 9th Ave. between 48th & 49th St.  It's a Japanese dessert bar and bakery and they basically make a whole bunch of American dishes with a Japanese twist and Japanese desserts and everything is very unusual and good.

a pumpkin soup appetizer

The entrées are beautifully presented and amazing.

sake-infused mac & cheese (with Japanese spices)
and a salad with a delicious dressing

deliciousness for vegetarians everywhere:
atataki cha soba noodles

Another favorite was their chicken & tofu burger.  Topped with a purple cabbage thing (not entirely sure what is was but it was gooood), the burger was beautifully paired with some sweet potato chips.

Finally, the desserts.  

the chef's dessert selection: matcha green tea creme brulee,
vegan vairhona chocolate cake, signature sweet tofu  

The larger chef's selection also includes a sweet potato cake and some green tea chocolates.  Although the originals are all classics, Kyotofu's desserts are totally worth it.  

Gracie Mews

The first meal I ever consumed in New York City was at this lovely diner at 81st St. & 1st Ave.  As a diner, Gracie Mews serves your traditional diner food: omelets, burgers, sandwiches, wraps.  The food is all pretty good and reasonably priced, but there are a few things that Gracie Mews does extraordinarily.

a panino with mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil, and pesto
with those normal fries

chocolate shakes

The fries.  The normal potato fries are above average, but the sweet potato fries make those normal potatoes pale in comparison and will bring you to your knees.  They are crispy but gloriously of that mashed potato consistency on the inside.

the way to my heart

The black and white cookies.  I think these are the best B&W cookies in the city, hands down.  The cookie part is cake-like and the icing is perfectly sweet and the icing-to-cake ratio is dead on.

a black and white cookie

The rest of their desserts are similarly fantastic!  I say this from experience.

desserts from my first trip to NYC