I've been trying to pull together a report on New York City all week, and finally came to the conclusion that I'd have to split in two -there's just too much to talk about!
Here, then, the first part: a report of all the sweet spots I visited during my time in the city. I mentioned in an earlier post that this trip pushed my sugar-ingesting capabilities to the limit - it's hard to rein in indulgence in a place where temptations are not only omnipresent but of the quality and caliber that earns them the label, "Only in New York." When there are so many wonderful places to try and desserts to taste, made by some of the most talented people in the industry, restraint and prudence and skinny jeans all get pushed to the side.
I made it through four consecutive nights of multi-course dessert tastings, experiencing the dazzling spectrum of pastry in New York, from classic French to globally inspired to avant-garde. I also visited enough bakeries, chocolate shops, and candy stores during the day to fill one of my suitcases for the trip home. Although I came perilously close to sugar shock, my only real regret is that I couldn't stay longer to try all the other places I missed out on!
As a note, for all the restaurants below, I did not have a full dinner at any other them, choosing to focus my attention (and appetite) on the desserts. I also, unfortunately, don't have many pictures of the desserts I tasted either, out of consideration of the low light conditions of most of the places. I do hope my descriptions will help you envision the creations I tasted - or entice you to try them yourself!
Chanterelle
Dining at Chanterelle is like having dinner with an old friend - one with impeccable taste and style. Chanterelle is a New York fixture, and its history shows; from the moment you step in the door you are treated with an effortless grace and surety that comes from long experience. The dining room is classy and refined - warm-lit walls, high ceilings, sweeping flower arrangements - but the atmosphere is intimate and cozy, never snooty. Chanterelle is, of course, home of Kate Zuckerman's desserts and I was thrilled to finally get a chance to taste what her desserts were like made out of her pastry kitchen.
Favorites: I was thrilled to find so many of Kate's creations from The Sweet Life
2 Harrison Street
(between Hudson Street and Staple Street)
(212) 966-6960
p*ong
Chanterelle may be classic New York dining at its most elegant and gracious, but p*ong is as modern and eclectic as its name, a funky, downtempo lounge of a place, with sleek white banquettes and a sweeping, angled bar - the preferred place to sit so you can watch the servers make your cocktails or plate your dessert.
Service was efficient, but the highlight, needless to say, was Chef Ong himself, who would materialize in the dining room like a mercurial firefly to exchange a friendly word or two with guests before vanishing again. We discovered that he had just opened his new bakery next door that morning - poor guy! But despite the stresses of opening day, he kindly took the time to show the bakery space to us and told us to come back the next day when they would be restocked. I must disclose here that I adore Pichet. He recounted how they opened the bakery at 11 in the morning, worried that no one would come. No one come to Pichet Ong's bakery? Hmm, right. In reality, they sold out by 1 in the afternoon. More on batch later. But Pichet is charmingly modest and slyly funny. Be warned, he has a habit of stopping by and checking on the progress of your dessert decimation. "Why didn't you finish the cake? Is it bad?" "No, of course not, it's delicious!" we'd demur. "Oh, well, you should really finish it. It's a special cake!" I don't think he's praising his own desserts so much as he's espousing the old Chinese virtue of cleaning your plate, which all my relatives always had me do. Of course, none of my relatives ever told me that I had to finish my dessert - so advantage to Pichet, I'd say!
Favorites: One of my favorite desserts from my trip came from p*ong: a warm date and ginger cake in a pool of rum toffee sauce, sprinkled with walnuts. It's like a cross between sticky toffee pudding and the best gingerbread I've ever had, the very definition of soul-satisfying. I liked it so much that I had to make it when I returned home. Other desserts that tickled the tastebuds included a chevre cheesecake and walnut croquette, a bit richer and earthier than Chanterelle's, and a grilled pear "steak" with hazelnut and caramel - again, desserts hitting that elusive combination of unexpected and intriguing and utterly satiating.
150 W 10th Street
(between Greenwich Avenue and Waverly Place)
(212) 929-0898
wd-50
It seemed fitting that I'd visited the MOMA earlier in the day before I went to wd-50. An afternoon of high-concept art followed by an evening of high concept food. Be prepared to go with an open mind and you'll be rewarded with some amazing, thought-provoking plates. wd-50 is surprisingly low-key and mellow for being a high temple of molecular gastronomy; my friend and I were seated at a row of two-tops placed so closely together that by the end of the evening we felt more like we were sitting at a communal table. It was amusing to see the diners seated next to us darting sideways glances as a new feat of whimsy was placed before us, just as we could not resist doing the same to them. Eager to experience as many of Alex Stupak's creations as we could, we chose the five-course dessert tasting, but be warned: each person at the table has to order the tasting, so it's a whole lot of sweets. Make sure you leave enough room!
Favorites: Needless to say, these were some of the most exactingly plated dishes I saw on my whole trip. Every dessert was a Japanese rock garden, little hills and dunes of cake and cream in a sea of sinuous curves and undulating swirls, amidst carefully calibrated scatterings of crunchy flourishes. The desserts that not only struck me with their art-museum aesthetic but also their successful exploration of the unusual and offbeat included a delectably soft cornbread pudding in a lemongrass sauce with prunes; it was homey and exotic at once and most importantly, delicious. Another winner was a gianduja dome with ice milk ice cream, fennel, and little chocolate truffles that oozed warm hazelnut filing when you cut into them. It's pretty hard to go wrong with chocolate and hazelnut, but the flavors were used in such untraditional ways that it made the dessert interesting and new, a pleasure to explore. The little chocolate covered chicory ice cream petit fours were scrumptious as well.
50 Clinton Street
(between Rivington Street and Stanton Street)
(212) 477-2900
Other sweet spots
Having only five days in New York City and one stomach, I could only visit a fraction of all the bakeries, pâtisseries, dessert bars, chocolate shops, and other sweet spots the city had to offer. New York demands your return, anyway, with its kaleidoscopic, ever-changing aspect - even if I'd visited 50 dessert places I'm sure another 50 will have opened by the end of this year. Here, some of the places I did get to try:
Amai Tea House
Tiny, but warm and serene. I love that all the display cases look like they came from an old Chinese apothecary, a perfect setting for all the Asian-inspired desserts. Although their green tea cookies are their signature item, I really like their white tea and strawberry cookies, which have a touch of ginger and peppercorn, and the red vanilla cookies, which are laced with rooibos tea.
171 3rd Avenue
(between 16th Street ad 17th Street)
(212) 863-9630
batch
This place was literally a day old when I walked in, but it already looks like it has its own quirky personality. I recognized many of Pichet Ong's creations from his The Sweet Spot
150b W 10th St
(212) 929-0250
Ceci-Cela
In the excitement of visiting new dessert places, I didn't have much time to spend revisiting ones I'd been to before, but I knew I really wanted to go back here. So narrow that customers are basically sandwiched between the wall and the display case, nevertheless I love this place because of the tiny dining room in the back, a brick-walled oasis plastered with vintage posters, resembling a cross between speakeasy and secret clubhouse, where you can tuck into your tart and coffee far away from the city bustle.
55 Spring Street
(between Cleveland Place and Lafayette Street)
(212) 274-9179
Financier
A perfectly apropos name, as all three branches of this pâtisserie are located in the Financial District. With its celery-green and cream-yellow decor and rattan chairs, you can almost think you are eating your pain au chocolate in Paris - until you see the skyscrapers outside the window.
35 Cedar Street
(between Pearl Street and William Street)
(212) 952-3838
Kee's Chocolates
Barely more than a storefront on a SoHo street, Kee's Chocolates is nevertheless a window into chocolate heaven. Kee Ling Tong's creations are masterpieces of flavor and texture, chocolate brought to a spellbinding zenith. I've never had any chocolates where the shell almost dissolves in your mouth to the filling inside - dreamy. Flavors I loved include passionfruit, lavender, and hazelnut praline.
80 Thompson Street
(between Broome Street and Spring Street)
(212) 334-3284
Kyotofu
There are plenty of Asian-inspired desserts on menus nowadays, but Kyotofu the balance tips the other way, with Asian desserts just tempered with a French/Western edge. Their signature item is their homemade sweet tofu, which is light, silken, and refreshing, especially with a black sugar syrup poured over the top. Other sweets I liked included the chocolate matcha cupcake, sake cheesecake, and coconut-yuzu macaron. Different, and definitely worth a visit.
705 9th Ave
(between 48th Street and 49th Street)
(212) 974-6012
Payard
You can't get closer to a Parisian grand café in New York than François Payard's pâtisserie and bistro. Go to admire the gorgeous Belle Époque decor, all high ceilings, coffee-colored wood, and blown-glass fixtures. Stay as you try to choose from dual counters filled with cakes, tarts, macarons, chocolates, and cookies of every sort. Or perhaps the ice-cream cart is calling your name?
1032 Lexington Avenure
(between 73rd Street and 74th Street)
(212) 717-5252
Tagged with: Chanterelle + p*ong+ wd-50 + amai+tea+house + batch new york + ceci cela+ kyotofu+ kee's chocolates+ payard+ desserts new york+ bakeries new york
what a delicious trip! thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: kat | April 11, 2008 at 02:11 AM
What a wonderful report. I can't wait to go back to NY soon so I can visit some of these places I have never been too. the bakeries sound best to me right now because I have a small baby and fine dining is out of the question for now. But you are right, NYC is really a pastry lovers paradise. So lucky!
Posted by: Aran | April 11, 2008 at 02:39 AM
That's some foodie tour..! Sounds fabulous - I'm taking notes for whenever I finally get myself out there. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: aforkfulofspaghetti | April 11, 2008 at 02:55 AM
Oh my god, and I thought I was in a sugar coma when I visited San Francisco. I just got Pichet's book and it is beautiful. Have not baked from it yet but I will soon. I ordered some cupcakes online from Kyotofu. I did not like the matcha green tea and white chocolate cupcake that much and was wondering if the shipping could have affected the taste. the chocolate souffle cupcake was pretty good though.
Posted by: veron | April 11, 2008 at 05:10 AM
Wow! Thanks for the info on all these sweet spots. We frequently visit New York and will definitely be checking out some of these places next time.
Posted by: Jennifer | April 11, 2008 at 08:24 AM
What an amazing trip! I can't wait to go to NY and use your references as a guide!
Posted by: MySweet&Saucy | April 11, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Oh, what an amazing trip you had! This post is very timely, as I'm headed to New York City at the beginning of May. I will definitely bring this list along!
Posted by: Renee | April 11, 2008 at 09:54 AM
good list!
I just got back from NYC this past weekend myself.
My visits (some planned some unplanned) were:
Magnolia Bakery
Grimaldi's
Bouley
Rice to Riches
Katz's
il Laboratorio del Gelato
Ceci-Cela
Amai Tea and Bake House
Minamoto Kitchoan
Doma
Choux Factory
Di Palo's Fine Foods
Pinkberry
Le Grainne
Wu Liang Ye
53rd and 6th
Goodies Restaurant
Posted by: Nat | April 11, 2008 at 10:31 AM
I am going to NYC next month, so especially excited now! Thanks for this post - it surely is going to come in handy!
Posted by: Deborah | April 11, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I LOVED YOUR BLOG!!!
I´M FROM BRASIL, RIODE JANEIRO
HUGS
Posted by: MARIA NELLY | April 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
thanks for such an extensive summary! wd-50's desserts sound beautiful, definitely worth checking out next time I'm in town!
Posted by: Wheeler | April 11, 2008 at 01:02 PM
everything sounds delicious, anita! i hope i get to visit NYC before i leave the US. can't wait to hear more about your sweet trip in part 2! ;)
Posted by: dreamsicle | April 11, 2008 at 03:36 PM
If I'd known you were coming, I would have baked for you!!
Posted by: superpup | April 11, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Next time your on the UES, stop by. Did you make it to Two Little Red Hens, Cafe Boulud, Spigalo, Dean & DeLuca?
Posted by: Lauren Simon | April 12, 2008 at 06:22 AM
fantastic report of our sugar high in nyc! your account of these desserts/restaurants/bakeries is truly breathtaking, and your writing so inspiring. it's so interesting to see your perspective on the sweets :) can't wait for the date cake recipe!
Posted by: monica | April 13, 2008 at 06:17 AM
wow can't wait to see Pichet Ong's date cake. is it from his book?
Posted by: latifa | April 13, 2008 at 12:24 PM
What a lovely foodie (sweet) review of NY! I really enjoyed that, thank you :)
Posted by: Kelly-Jane | April 14, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Wow! Fantastic...I will be looking forward for the date pudding cake recipe! The picture is fabulous!
Posted by: Poonam | April 14, 2008 at 09:49 AM
This is such a lovely, informative post! Thanks so so much for doing this! My husband and I are moving to Boston this coming fall (we're in Austin, TX at the moment) and I literally can't wait to hop on the subway and head to NY! I'll have to check out some of these cool sounding spots :).
Posted by: Sophie | April 14, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Hi all,
Thanks for the comments - it was indeed an awesome trip!
Veron,
I think it was the chocolate souffle cupcake I had - and I really liked it!
Renee,
Let me know when you're going and I'll give you recs for places I didn't make it to!:)
Nat,
That's even more sugar-filled than my trip! That's amazing!
Superpup,
That's so sweet! Well, there's always next time!
Lauren,
Definitely next time. I didn't get to go to any of those spots - would have loved to but I just ran out of time (and room in my stomach!)
Latifa,
Yes, the recipe is from Pichet Ong's book. It should be up in the next day or so!
Posted by: Anita | April 15, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Thanks for the info -- I checked out Batch today because of this post. The hazelnut chocolate cake was exceptional, with surprisingly light cake layers and a delicious frosting (and I don't even like frosting much). The halved hazelnuts on top made for the perfect dessert.
Anyone interested in visiting this spot should also check out the cookbook shop across the street!
Posted by: Nora | April 15, 2008 at 03:41 PM
how jealous am i of your trip?!? i miss NYC so much sometimes it hurts! and you went to 2 places where i have actually worked. beautiful write up and photos!
Posted by: steph (whisk/spoon) | April 15, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Anita, I feel like as if I've been to all of the places with you - fantastic! I'll save this post for my next trip to NYC, thank you for the great write-up!
Posted by: keiko | April 17, 2008 at 09:24 AM
what a lovely write-up of all our dessert indulgences! no photos necessary, your descriptions were perfect! and i live here in nyc and some of those places are unfamiliar to me ... i see some sweet tofu in my future! ;)
Posted by: mimi | April 23, 2008 at 07:16 AM