Best
Desserts & Bakeries
Here
are 9 to satisfy that sweet tooth. |
Balthazar
80 Spring St (@ Crosby St); 212-965-1785
Dining at Balthazar is a re-creation of an authentic Parisian
brasserie experience circa 1920: the cuisine is spectacular
and beautifully presented, the atmosphere and clientele are
exciting and progressive and the service is entirely indifferent.
Original chefs Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr prepare signature dishes:
Brandade, goat cheese tart, escargots, seafood platter, Balthazar
salad, steak frites, chicken paprikash, Pavlova, tarte Tatin
and profiteroles. The wine cellar stores a prized collection
of French wine numbering over 300 bottles, from country table
wines to the great growths of Bordeaux and the Grand Crus of
Burgundy.
Billy's
Bakery
184 9th Ave (bet 21st St & 22nd St); 212-647-9956
A General Electric fridge, a Magic Chef display range from the
1930’s, yellow brick walls and 1950’s retro tableware
provides the look of a dream kitchen to owner and master baker,
Billy Reese. His home-style recipes and cheery staff make for
one of the best dessert kitchens in the city. Favorites in this
convenient West Chelsea location include cupcakes topped with
fresh buttercream icing, banana layer cake with cream-cheese
frosting, the popular chocolate and peanut butter pie, and the
Hello Dolly squares with chewy graham-cracker crumbs, chocolate
and butterscotch chips, coconut and pecans.
Cupcake
Café
522 9th Ave (@ 39th St); 212-465-1530
Tucked unexpectedly behind the Port Authority Terminal, the
Cupcake Café is primarily known for its signature butter
cream icing. The unforgettable cupcakes which range from $2-$3
are spectacular artistic miniatures, layered in original floral
patterns. The larger cakes, often merely an XXXL version of
a cupcake, along with their prized wedding cakes have earned
this shop a widespread reputation for excellence. Muffins, pies
and light lunch fare is also available.
Little
Pie Company
407 W. 14th St (bet 9th Ave & 10th Ave); 212-414-2324
This original location of The Little Pie Company opened in 1985,
where passersby can peer through large windows to see cooks
in white caps and aprons baking pies and cakes. The aroma of
the baking treasures can lure you in like no other kitchen in
the city. The popular favorite is the sour cream-apple walnut
pie, other standards are fruit pies, key lime and lemon meringue.
Seasonal offerings include berry pies in summer, pumpkin in
fall, pecan in winter and strawberry rhubarb in spring. The
luxuriant carrot cake is exceptional and miniature cheesecakes
are perfect for a single treat.
Mitchel
London Foods
22 E. 65th St Suite A (bet 5th Ave & Madison Ave); 212-737-2850
A former chef for Mayor Edward Koch, Mitchel London opened three
locations to sell what New Yorkers truly want most from their
gourmet take-out options: non-exotic food inspired by classic
recipes. The ideal alternative to Chinese takeout and pizza,
the elegantly simple hors d'oeuvres are prepared with generous
components of meat, ham and chicken, followed by hearty salads,
baked goods and superb sandwiches done just right. Notable specialties
are the crispy fried chicken and for dessert, the renowned mini-cupcakes.
|
| |
|
