Crunchy pizza crust smothered with hazelnut-chocolate spread is a wonderful, if unlikely, new trend. At Pie, they serve it open-faced with sliced bananas. At Lil' Frankie's, they stuff it with strawberries and sprinkle the top with confectioners' sugar. I don't know which version is my favorite... I suppose I will have to sample each one many times over!
Pie: 124 4th Ave., (212) 475-4977. Lil' Frankie's: 19 1st Ave., (212) 420-4900.
Sunday, March 23, 2003
Thursday, March 20, 2003
Crunch Time for Pennsylvania (Or Is That Munch Time?)
The Pennsylvania State Senate is wrangling over a bill that would designate the esteemed chocolate-chip cookie as "the official cookie of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." Among the bill's arguments: "Pennsylvania is the nation's fourth largest producer of milk, which is the perfect partner to the chocolate chip cookie." I can't disagree with that, but I dare say that if the legislators bit into a chocolate-chunk cookie at NYC's Tuscan Square, they might be humbled into retracting their bill, or at least relocating to New York. The Tuscan Square rendition is a satisfying mouthful of butter, brown sugar, and large semi-sweet chocolate chunks. It's even better when you warm it with your cup of coffee so that the chocolate melts in your mouth.
Tuscan Square: 16 W. 51st St., (212) 977-7777.
Tuscan Square: 16 W. 51st St., (212) 977-7777.
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Kudos for Kudo! (CLOSED 2009)
Do you long for true flavor in your coffee? Do you savor a sip of java like you would a fine wine? But most of all, do you agree that the popular practice of over-roasting coffee beans robs the beverage of its attributes?
Your antidote to burnt-tasting, one-note coffee is Kudo Beans, an East Village café where all of the cashiers are walking encyclopedias of coffee knowledge. Great beans and helpful employees make for a winning combination. On a recent evening, Valerie recommended a fruity Ethiopian Harrar with low acidity, and Guy informed us of a great deal: buy a pound of coffee and get a half-pound free! All coffees are labeled with detailed descriptions. The café, which owns a roasting facility in Queens, bakes croissants and muffins in-house, but also serves pastries from Mother Fortune.
Kudo Beans has some exciting plans in its future. This Thursday, the grand opening of the store will feature live jazz and free food from 6-8 pm. There will soon be a series of "cuppings and tastings" (for more information, contact info@kudobeans.com), and the 28 wonderful varieties of Kudo Coffee will soon be served at a Times Square bookstore. Look out, Starbucks!
Kudo Beans: 49 1/2 1st Ave., (212) 353-1477.
Your antidote to burnt-tasting, one-note coffee is Kudo Beans, an East Village café where all of the cashiers are walking encyclopedias of coffee knowledge. Great beans and helpful employees make for a winning combination. On a recent evening, Valerie recommended a fruity Ethiopian Harrar with low acidity, and Guy informed us of a great deal: buy a pound of coffee and get a half-pound free! All coffees are labeled with detailed descriptions. The café, which owns a roasting facility in Queens, bakes croissants and muffins in-house, but also serves pastries from Mother Fortune.
Kudo Beans has some exciting plans in its future. This Thursday, the grand opening of the store will feature live jazz and free food from 6-8 pm. There will soon be a series of "cuppings and tastings" (for more information, contact info@kudobeans.com), and the 28 wonderful varieties of Kudo Coffee will soon be served at a Times Square bookstore. Look out, Starbucks!
Kudo Beans: 49 1/2 1st Ave., (212) 353-1477.
Saturday, March 15, 2003
Grace On The Go (Closed as of June '03)
This gourmet take-away has only been open since Friday, and people are already coming in to say, "I heard the prosciutto and blue cheese sandwich was great; pack me one of those." Today, it was a feat to get past the videocameras, reporters and inquisitive Slopers in order to peruse the offerings. Good food on 7th Avenue is a real event.
Susan Knightly, the charming chef and manager, said of her creamy squash bisque: "This was a lovely year for squash, they were so sweet. Because of their flavor, it was easy to make the soup low-fat; I just caramelized some onions and added some low-fat milk." (I promptly made off with a pint.) Knightly orders her baked goods from Sullivan Street Bakery; their chewy focaccia sends me into seventh heaven. (As of April, Amy's Bread is their supplier of choice.) I ordered a seared tuna nicoise salad with wonderful garlicky dressing, interspersed bites with the aforementioned focaccia, and ended things with a big chocolate-chip cookie. When I go back (tomorrow), I will buy a brick of macaroni and cheese and perhaps a key lime pie.
Grace's is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m, with deliveries at all times. There is a "coffee window" for harried commuters who need those muffins and steaming cups of java on their way to the F train. I know I do!
Grace On The Go: 352 7th Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 499-2019.
Susan Knightly, the charming chef and manager, said of her creamy squash bisque: "This was a lovely year for squash, they were so sweet. Because of their flavor, it was easy to make the soup low-fat; I just caramelized some onions and added some low-fat milk." (I promptly made off with a pint.) Knightly orders her baked goods from Sullivan Street Bakery; their chewy focaccia sends me into seventh heaven. (As of April, Amy's Bread is their supplier of choice.) I ordered a seared tuna nicoise salad with wonderful garlicky dressing, interspersed bites with the aforementioned focaccia, and ended things with a big chocolate-chip cookie. When I go back (tomorrow), I will buy a brick of macaroni and cheese and perhaps a key lime pie.
Grace's is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m, with deliveries at all times. There is a "coffee window" for harried commuters who need those muffins and steaming cups of java on their way to the F train. I know I do!
Grace On The Go: 352 7th Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 499-2019.
Friday, March 14, 2003
"The Original" New York Milkshake Co. (Closed as of Mar. 06)
Many moons ago, my great-grandparents owned a candy store in Yorkville, where they dispensed all manner of sodas and egg creams to the neighborhood. They imparted their soda skills to my grandfather, who would scour the Lower East Side for the special chocolate and strawberry syrups he used to make the drinks. One of my last memories of him was watching him go to the refrigerator after I had pleaded for one of his sodas.
Now, Scott Marcus is recreating the authentic New York egg cream experience at his new East Village shop. Opened just two weeks ago, "The Original" New York Milkshake Co. is already serving up large doses of comfort by means of grilled cheese sandwiches, milkshakes, malteds, and giant Whoopee pies (courtesy of the nearby Sticky Fingers Bake Shop). This evening, Scott meticulously coached a new employee in the art of the egg cream while I watched. He then set an overflowing, fizzing cup beside me, urging, "Drink it like a beer!" How could I resist?
Scott plans to begin a delivery service of his nostalgic treats in the next few weeks.
"The Original" New York Milkshake Co.: 37 St. Mark's Place, (212) 505-5200.
Now, Scott Marcus is recreating the authentic New York egg cream experience at his new East Village shop. Opened just two weeks ago, "The Original" New York Milkshake Co. is already serving up large doses of comfort by means of grilled cheese sandwiches, milkshakes, malteds, and giant Whoopee pies (courtesy of the nearby Sticky Fingers Bake Shop). This evening, Scott meticulously coached a new employee in the art of the egg cream while I watched. He then set an overflowing, fizzing cup beside me, urging, "Drink it like a beer!" How could I resist?
Scott plans to begin a delivery service of his nostalgic treats in the next few weeks.
"The Original" New York Milkshake Co.: 37 St. Mark's Place, (212) 505-5200.
Friday, March 07, 2003
Wine and Cheese
Excuse my ebullience; I am rather tipsy. A friend just introduced me to the best-kept secret in Manhattan: the $5 wine tasting at Vintage New York. This charming boutique sells New York-produced wines and cheeses. Sitting at the bar, we admired the Siamese cat and allowed our friendly host Isaiah to guide us through the vast wine list. Not content just to imbibe, we accompanied our reds and whites with award-winning Hudson Valley Camembert and Ewe's Blue from the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company. It was quite an experience to smear the buttery Camembert on slices of baguette in between sips of various wines. Isaiah was generous and threw in a free extra tasting, so I took his suggestion and ordered the refreshing Red Newt Riesling with notes of apples, lychee, and tropical fruits.
Preparing to float out of the store, I suddenly glimpsed a plate of chocolate truffles from 5th Avenue Chocolatiere. Why hadn't I noticed that before? An evening isn't complete without a bite of chocolate.
Vintage New York: 482 Broome St., (212) 226-9463. Also located at 2492 Broadway, (212) 721-9999.
Preparing to float out of the store, I suddenly glimpsed a plate of chocolate truffles from 5th Avenue Chocolatiere. Why hadn't I noticed that before? An evening isn't complete without a bite of chocolate.
Vintage New York: 482 Broome St., (212) 226-9463. Also located at 2492 Broadway, (212) 721-9999.
Sunday, March 02, 2003
Mardi Gras
If you can't make it down to Bourbon Street on Tuesday, I guarantee that one bite of Aunt Sally's Pralines will transport you to New Orleans. You can pick up these scrumptious pecan delights at Martha Frances Mississippi Cheesecake (1707 2nd Ave., 212-360-0900). While you munch, you can learn about Fat Tuesday traditions at the official Mardi Gras Website!
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