DUBPies | 211 Prospect Park West (corner of 16th St) Brooklyn, NY 11215
Yum! This handmade, Australian/New Zealand-style meat pie shop knows what they are doing. We tried the New York Shepherds Pie, topped with mashed potatoes. It hit the spot and warmed us up on a cold winter day. Plus, being 5" in diameter, it was the perfect size snack for the three people.
KOSSAR'S BIALYS |367 Grant St. New York, NY 10002
Its hard to find a good bialy, even in New York, but I have found the gem of them all at Kossar's. They have been handcrafting bialys, bagels and more for over 65 years (you can view photos of their process, here.) Their bialys are perfect, thin and topped with minced onions-yum! I liked that they make their goods in the store too, this shot of their interior is what you encounter right when you walk in!
MAGNOLIA BAKERY . 200 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10023
So I always have a sweet tooth but rarely allow myself to indulge with something as decadent as this. After walking by Magnolia's and peeking into their big windows, I didn't hesitate to walk inside! The temptation was too great. Instead of ordering one of their famous cupcakes, I tried the Key Lime Cheesecake. It was so light and airy, I was plesantly surprised!
TOMPKINS SQUARE BAGELS . 165 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
The scent of bagels immediately brings me back to weekends at home with my family- sitting around the breakfast table, reading the newspaper and noshing on bagels. I was happy to find out that a new bagel shop opened in the East Village and even more surprised that the bagels are good. I'm not saying these are the best bagels in the NYC but they are near perfect.
They have an open kitchen so you can watch the bagels being made the traditional kettle way (unlike many places which have switched to a modern steam oven.) The kettle technique ensures that the bagels have a crust and are are chewy, just the way they should be.
The interior is modern and there are plenty of tables to sit. They have all the standards including an abundant of toppings: flavored cream cheese (including wasabi!) and other bagel toppings such as whitefish salad and lox spread. I was tempted to try one of their huge house-made muffins too, I'll have to get one next time.
The only thing is that they accept cash only.
ELENI'S . Chelsea Market | 75 Ninth Ave & 1266 Madison Ave
I had to share these adorable cookies! Perfect gift for Valentine's Day.
BABYCAKES . 248 Broome Street (Btwn Orchard & Ludlow) New York, NY 10002 | LA & Orlando
I landed in sweet, sweet heaven. This bakery has a super adorable interior and a beautiful assortment of cupcakes, loaves, cookies, crumb cakes, muffins, brownies and more. The Cinnamon Bun ($5) was so sticky and moist-the cold-pressed coconut oil that they use really does the trick. Plus, all of Babycakes products are refined sugar-free, gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, casein-free, egg-free, vegan & kosher (wowza!) Basically, this is the place I'm bringing all my friends who have allergies!
You can purchase their cookbook and other cute merch here.
CHIKALICIOUS DESSERT BAR . 203 East 10th St., New York, NY 10003
CHIKALICIOUS DESSERT CLUB. 204 East 10th St., New York, NY 10003
Even if you're not big into sweets, you'll be craving the desserts from ChikaLicious after one visit. They have two locations, right across the street from each other. ChickaLicious Dessert Bar has a modern interior and seats only 20 people at a time, so you might have a wait. Their menu changes daily and reflects the season. The kitchen and dining room is in the same space so while you wait, you can watch pastry chef and co-owner Chika Tillman and her assistants hard at work.
Right across the street is Dessert Club which has a different menu. Here you can chose from cupcakes, cakes, ice cream sundaes, shaved ice and more. They also have a sister location in Tokyo!
My boyfriend surprised me with take out from Dessert Bar and picked out the Chocolate Cookie Eclair ($4.95). It was decadent with a delightfully crunchy shell and a chocolate custard filling.
The Pumpkin Pie ($4.95) had thin, flaky layers of puff pasty with a thicker crust. The pumpkin had just enough cinnamon and nutmeg. A perfect accompaniment for the fall weather!
Celebrate Kambiri's First Birthday at the Franklin Park Zoo!
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On November 5, Franklin Park Zoo will be celebrating the first birthday of Kambiri, the baby gorilla. Visit the Tropical Forest to see the gorilla exhibit festively decorated and watch as Kambiri and the gorillas enjoy birthday treats made especially for them! The first 250 visitors will receive complimentary treats of their own - delicious miniature dark chocolate cupcakes with banana buttercream frosting, courtesy of Sweet Cupcakes. In addition, beginning Saturday, November 5, through end of day, Friday, November 11, all four Sweet Cupcakes locations will offer a "Bananas for the Zoo" cupcake, inspired by Kambiri, and will donate $1.00 from each cupcake sold during that week to Zoo New England. The limited-edition cupcake will feature homemade banana buttercream frosting atop rich, dark chocolate cake, finished with a banana chip. |
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WHEN: Saturday, November 5, 10 AM - 3 PM in the Tropical Forest ADMISSION: Adults, $16; Seniors, $13; Children, $10 (2-12); all children under 2 are free. ZOO HOURS: 10 AM - 4PM daily WHERE: 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121 |
via Sweet
Baby Kambiri, how adorable!!! Image thanks to Robert Klein
MOISHE'S BAKE SHOP . 115 2nd Ave (between 6th & 7th St.) New York, NY 10003
Soooo, I love hamentashens. They are one of those childhood treats that always bring me back to that kid-like state of mind. There's something comforting about noshing on the thick cookie crust and jam filling. I'm big a fan of apricot, poppy seed and prune but I'll take any flavor any day.
You can imagine what I did when I saw this view from the street! Of course I ran in and after a friendly chat with the bakers, I walked out with a large prune hamentashen. Happiness. This authentic kosher bakery also bakes rugelach, mendelbrot, sugar kichels and more with walls filled with freshly baked bread.
I was so thrilled to travel to San Francisco to celebrate my sisters graduation from the California College of the Arts (Yay Sam E.!) She majored in fashion and had an amazing show, I'm so proud. You can see some of her work here. While she was working hard finishing up on her collection, I was busy eating my way around the city with my family.
TARTINE BAKERY . 600 Guerrero Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
I really wish I had eaten here more than once! I can honestly say that I fell in love with this place. Tartine Bakery has the most beautiful selection of pastry and bread. These gigantic croissants, $3.75 for the plain and $4.75 for the pain au jambon, were perfect creations. They were fabulously flaky, it was almost unreal. The ham and gruyère was smoky and the cheese oozed.
The Morning Bun ($3.25) was soft, sugary and doughy. As I pulled it apart with my fingers the fragrance of orange and cinnamon wafted out. It was still warm from the oven! I will crave it until I get the chance to eat one again.
FERRY BUILDING MARKETPLACE . 1 Ferry Building, Suite 260, Ferry Bldg Marketplace, San Francisco, CA 94111
The famous Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is a must if you are visiting SF. The produce was enough to make me swoon and it was just pleasant to walk around. I was struck silly when I saw this stand selling dried pluots, I had never heard of them before! Pluots are hybrids between plums and apricots (who knew?) My sisters and I nibbled, and when I say nibbled I mean we savored them very slowly. They were sweet and tart and just delectable.
PETER PAN BAKERY . 727 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn NY
Hello heavenly goodness. There is nothing like finding a sweet shop like this one and Tina Fey agrees (in her own way.) The interior is pretty outdated but it adds to the charm and as soon as you step in, you are bombarded by the smell of the donuts because they bake them on site. It's pretty rare that I indulge in a donut, not because I don't like them but I'm always tempted for a second round. Their donuts are $1 or 12 for $10.50 and there is a counter that you can sit to eat your share of sugary delights and sip coffee.
The Chocolate Covered Eclair ($1.45) was perfect. It was light, fluffy and airy on the inside.
The Jelly Stick ($1.45) was also delish and filled with a generous portion of jelly!
MAGNOLIA BAKERY. 401 Bleeker Street, New York, NY 10014
Here's another eating adventure from my recent trip to NYC. I've walked past Magnolia Bakery over a dozen times but there has always been a line out the door. So I hadn't had the opportunity to eat one until last Sunday morning around 10am when the place wasn't packed! Oh yes, I am admitting that I ate cupcakes for breakfast!
This has to have been one of the most delicious cupcakes ever, Caramel ($3.25) with a caramel meringue butter-cream frosting and caramel drizzle. It was divine! I wasn't expecting Magnolia Bakery to be really good because reputations can be hyped up, but they make delicious baked goods. The cookie on the right is a molasses with an icing glaze (I couldn't establish a price on their website.) I didn't know that they also make cakes, pies and mini cheesecakes too!
The Red Velvet cupcake ($3.25) had whipped vanilla icing and was honestly just ok. Lets just say I've had better.
Yeti really liked them too!
