Corner Shop Cafe

Lately, all I seem to want is Belgian hot chocolate, mac & cheese, and fruit cobbler. Fortunately, these comfort foods can all be found at Corner Shop Cafe. Whenever I walk down Broadway, I always want to go inside this pretty restaurant (it looks like Anthropologie, if Anthropologie had a cafe), and last night afforded me my first opportunity.

I began with some fried artichokes tossed with lemon and salt, which arrived in a basket (note to fried artichoke lovers: $7 will get you just one fried artichoke at Bar Stuzzichini, but it will get you a whole basket at Corner Shop Cafe!). The waiter had recommended that I order a half-portion of macaroni and cheese as it was so rich. He was right! But the portion was hardly small, it was rather like the size served at Penelope's. The flavor was out of this world. Pepper Jack, Gruyere and cheddar melted together around a pile of tender elbow noodles mixed with taut little peas and a few slices of shiitake. The dish was topped with breadcrumbs and crunchy bits of Parmesan. A bit of truffle oil provided that final "what is that wonderful taste?"

I finished the whole thing (incidentally, if you're not a mac 'n' cheese fan - there are lots of other goodies for you: pork milanese with grilled corn and tomato salad, soy-marinated skirt steak, rosemary roasted free-range chicken, cioppino, even Cuban sandwiches! Order a Gorgonzola-ed mashed potato on the side.) with room to spare for a tart strawberry-apricot cobbler with a side of whipped cream. The dessert menu also includes a mango creme brulee - maybe I'll try it this summer, but right now, I'll stick with the cobbler and perhaps the chocolate bread pudding.

Corner Shop Cafe: 643 Broadway, (212) 253-7467.