Sweets News

Today's edition of Sweets News focuses on online delights.

• If you're like me, the closing of Payard had you crying for a week. Fortunately, the bakery/chocolatier's E-boutique has been launched, and the site will eventually have news of... a new brick-and-mortar location!

• Earthy-crunchy chocolatier Pure Dark has just relaunched an online store as well. Here's a nifty tip - if you want to receive 15% off your order, just use this promotional code: PD012009. This offer apparently expires on October 7; but it's never too early to order some treats for a healthy Halloween!

Vegetarian Cafés on the Upper West Side

On a mini-health kick, I decided to check out a couple of the newish UWS veggie cafés. My first stop was Peacefood Cafe (460 Amsterdam Ave., 212-362-2266), a vegan restaurant with an enticing bakery display (have you ever seen vegan tiramisu?). There were various salads and sandwiches; I ordered a tempeh avocado sandwich, chick pea fries, and a ginger lemonade. Unfortunately, I ended up being a bit disappointed in the meal; the scant portion of marinated tempeh was overpowered by thick slices of rye and salty pickles, and the chickpea fries were not the Mediterranean-style panelle I'd anticipated. Instead of being light and uncomplicated like at the nearby (non-veg) Nice Matin, they were overspiced and studded with various seeds. (The ginger lemonade was very refreshing.) Also, I felt that the meal was overpriced at $20. Still, judging from how crowded Peacefood was, it is obviously filling a vegan void in the neighborhood.

I had better luck over at Soomsoom Vegetarian Bar (166 West 72nd St., 212-712-2525), which offers both vegan and vegetarian options. A friendly woman offered me a sample of greaseless, flavorful falafel, and I was hooked. The lunch special is only $9.75, and includes a falafel sandwich, beer-battered fries or a baked sweet potato, free rein at the chopped salad bar, and a beverage.

(In other vegetarian news, vegan blogger Lauren Ulm has just released Vegan Yum Yum: Decadent (But Doable) Animal-Free Recipes for Entertaining and Everyday.)

Brunch at Belcourt

My friend and I were seeking a reasonable brunch in the East Village, and were glad to find that almost all of the brunch dishes at Belcourt were under $10. Our favorite item was to be only $7: a plate of piping hot buttermilk biscuits, smothered in berry preserves and housemade ricotta, with an undercurrent of honey. My friend's cranberry granola was unsweetened yogurt was positively ascetic compared with this concoction.

The only other item on the menu that seemed as decadent was the vanilla bourbon French toast with ricotta and New York maple syrup, but I opted for the personal eggs. Mine came scrambled with a salad of mesclun greens coated with a lemony dressing, a small portion of paprika fried potatoes, and a regrettably dry piece of pork sausage (there was also maple-cured bacon and lamb ham). Although the eggs and potatoes were just fine, I think I would have been happier with a double portion of those wonderful buttermilk biscuits.

Belcourt: 84 East 4th St., (212) 979-2034.

"Let Us Eat Local"

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, a delicious event is coming your way! Restaurants like Blue Hill, Hundred Acres, Gramercy Tavern, and Telepan will be participating in Just Food's 2nd annual "Let Us Eat Local" tasting benefit. For more information, please call 212-645-9880.

Café Charbonnel NY

NYC may be souring on sweets, but I'm certainly not. My latest indulgence is the hot chocolate at Café Charbonnel NY, the chocolate café on the eighth floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. Made with dark and milk chocolate shavings, milk and a bit of heavy cream, it is full of cocoa flavor without being too rich. (Lately, there seems to be a trend of super-dark hot chocolate, but sometimes it is overpowering and not as drinkable.)

Café Charbonnel also features a conveyor belt; instead of sushi, it circulates chocolate-chip cookies, pastries, and trios of chocolate candy. (I recommend the chocolate truffle brownie.) If you decide to come away with a box of candy, there are all kinds of truffles; right now, the Milk Marc de Champagne truffles are 30% off.

(On another truffle-related note, the International Culinary Center is offering a Chocolate Treats and Truffles class on Saturday, Sept. 12.)

Café Charbonnel NY: Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue, 8th Floor, 866-478-7586.