Sweets News

Today's Sweets News focuses on treats both French and Japanese.

• Le Moulin A Cafe. The former La Mediterrannee has transformed itself into a French bakery, complete with macarons, pains au chocolat, and shelves full of imported French butter cookies. I stopped by there today for a croissant and a La Colombe cafe au lait. Only downside: the place refuses credit cards for purchases under $10. (1439 York Ave., 212-288-5088.)

• KAI Sweets. I am so excited about a present of artisanal Japanese puddings I received from a friend who visited KAI Sweets at Mitsuwa Marketplace. The little glass jars contain flavors like sweet black sesame. When I run out, I'll make a trip out to New Jersey to replace them. (Mitsuwa Marketplace, 595 River Road, Edgewater, NJ, 201-840-4050.)

Sweets News: Early Summer Edition

Here are your Sweets News items for May 27, 2011:

• The temperatures are climbing, and just in time for the summer weather, Payard Bakery (116 West Houston St.) is serving up delectable macaron ice cream bars. The bars come in flavors like chocolate brownie with Mexican vanilla bean ice cream, toasted coconut with coconut mango sorbet, and berry with strawberry cheesecake ice cream. I still miss Payard's original location on Lexington Avenue, but I'm happy to travel to the Plaza Hotel or West Houston Street to sample the sweets.

• On May 29, a plethora of summer sweets like Coolhaus' ice cream sandwiches and Brewla Bars will be gracing the Fulton Stall Market at the South Street Seaport. The market, which will sell all sorts of edibles, is celebrating its third year on Fulton Street and will be open every Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Other vendors include Grandaisy Bakery and The Groovy Baker.

Sweets News

I stopped by the Redeye Grill (890 7th Ave., 212-541-9000) tonight to preview this special dessert, which was conceived in honor of the Kentucky Derby. This very R-rated mint julep pie, which comes with a snifter of Jim Beam, will be offered from 3 p.m. onward at The Redeye, Trattoria Dell’Arte, Café Fiorello and Bond 45. The dessert will only be available on Saturday - stop by and try it, and if you absolutely must have it again, E-mail me for the recipe. Here is my own personal account of the dessert: it's a thick, creamy mint ice cream pie on a chocolate cookie crust, topped with a mountain of freshly whipped, slightly sweetened cream and served with a decadent caramel-bourbon sauce. The best way to eat this pie is to alternate bites with sips of bourbon; the bourbon adds an extra-buttery aftertaste.

In case you'd like a less caloric treat, the classic Mint Julep, which is the official beverage of the Kentucky Derby, will be served at all four restaurants. It's supposed to be sunny and in the 70's this Saturday - perfect for a dose of minty refreshment.

Sweets News

Here's some very sweet Easter news. On April 24 (Easter Sunday), Benoit (60 West 55th St.) will be holding a special dessert buffet, which includes lemon tarts, strawberry cake, raspberry shortbread stacks, chocolate mousse, and meringue "floating islands."

Sweets News

Here is a bit of Sweets News that will be dear to every chocolate lover. Francois Payard's FC Chocolate Bar will soon be opening up at the Plaza Hotel (1 West 58th Street at Fifth Avenue). The location on the fourth floor of the Mauboussin jewelry store will be closing after tomorrow.

And for everyone who misses the Lexington Avenue bakery-restaurant, a new patisserie at 1330 Third Avenue (76th Street) will open up this spring. This is a sweet vindication, as an insane raise in rent was supposedly the reason for the closing of the 12-year-old original.

And in even more exciting news, on January 27 from 6-11 pm, you can taste Payard's brand-new line of chocolates which have been inspired by the flavors of Bordeaux wines. Each delicious chocolate will be paired with a different wine. To save on the price of admission to the event, go to www.lasoireedesgrandscrus.com and enter FRANCOISPAYARD for early access tickets (admission starts at 6 p.m.) or FRANCOISPAYARD MERCI for general admission tickets (7:30 p.m.)

Sweets News

Here is a bit of EXTREMELY sweet news:

September 15 is "Free Dessert Day!" Just book a reservation on Opentable.com and receive a free dessert at over 190 restaurants. A casa fox is serving a mini chocolate empanada with dulce de leche, while Sarabeth's Central Park South is featuring their Sarabeth's Signature New York Style Cheesecake.

Sweets News

Here's something sweet that will appeal to both kids and adults: undyed, all-natural cotton candy spun from maple sugar. Buy it at the Wood Homestead Maple Syrup stand at the Rockefeller Center Greenmarket for five more weeks, or just call 1-866-337-9787.

Sweets News

I hear we're supposed to have another heat wave. At least through August 1, Rosa Mexicano has us covered; the restaurant is serving a selection of exotic Mexican ice cream and sorbet. Sea salt caramel, blueberry creme fraiche, sweet corn with caramel popcorn, and burnt milk with cinnamon-chocolate cookies are some of the ice cream flavors, while the sorbets include hibiscus-pomegranate and tomatillo-lime. There's also a variety of ice cream desserts. (Note: if you attend a free cooking demo on Saturday, July 17, you'll have a chance to win an ice cream maker. To register, call (212) 397-0666 x27 or E-mail dcastillo@rosamexicano.com.)

Rosa Mexicano: Various locations.

Sweets News

This just in: on Friday, Grom Gelato will open its third NYC store at Columbus Circle. Baby Vates and I just might head over there for some free samples!

Sweets News

I'm coming out of prenatal hibernation to give word of this very exciting event: National Brownie Day! On December 8, the venerable treat will be celebrated (apparently the first brownie recipe was found in a Sears, Roebuck Catalogue from the 1800's - factoid courtesy of Greyston Bakery. If you'd like a discount on Greyston's chocolate fudge brownies, espresso bean brownies, or walnut/brown sugar blondies, E-mail me for a discount code. Meanwhile, I'm about to conduct a home bake-off of the Barefoot Contessa's Outrageous Brownies and Jacques Torres' Pure Bliss Brownies.)

Sweets News

• If you are indisposed to leaving the apartment but must have a Jacques Torres chocolate bar within the hour, this service promises to deliver one to you!

• In other chocolate-related news, the 92Y is holding a "For the Love of Chocolate" book signing, interview and chocolate tasting with Max Brenner on November 15. For more information, please visit the 92Y Website.

• Don't forget about the most exciting chocolate event of the year - the annual Chocolate Show! It's back at the Metropolitan Pavilion this year, from October 30-November 1.
  

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!

Sweets News

• What's better than a coffee shop that uses locally roasted, premium coffee beans? One that also serves homemade Italian ices! The cheery Cup on Norman, which opened a month ago in Greenpoint, serves orange, lemon and strawberry ices alongside a selection of coffee drinks made from Brooklyn's Kitten Coffee beans. And if you're especially lucky, you'll visit on a day when the blueberry butter cake (baked by the owner's mother) is in stock. (Cup on Norman, Norman St. between Lorimer & Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn, cuponnorman@gmail.com.)

• Chef Yoshie Shirakawa of Dessert Cafe Luxee was a finalist for the 2009 Golden Scoop Award -Almond Board of California Best Dessert Menu. Now you can learn to make green tea chiffon cake and choux a la creme just like her! She'll be teaching two French pastry classes at the cafe on July 12 and 26 - you can take the dessert home when you're finished with the lesson. For reservations, please call (212) 375-1796. (Dessert Cafe Luxee: 6 Clinton St.)
  

Sweets News - Father's Day Edition

Here are some sweet gifts for Dad!

• If Dad is a baseball fan, he knows that the Yankees and Mets are duking it out from June 11-14 and June 25 -28. Help him show his allegiance with some Yankees or Mets yellow cake cookies from Zaro's Bread Basket in Grand Central Terminal. (Available only during the Subway Series)
  

• Kyotofu is offering a "Cheers to Dad!" assortment of three types of artisanal Japanese beer (white ale, red rice ale, and ginger beer) and special sweets.
  

Sweets News

• Although we must say a sad goodbye to the Amai Tea & Bake House, we can say hello again to the Chocolate Bar (19 8th Ave., 212-367-7181) which is reopening on April 28 after relocating from the East Village. Executive Chef Gustaf Mabrouk will create new chocolate confections, including plain, raspberry and espresso Mallomars. (Now, if only someone could convince Chocolat Michel Cluizel to reopen...)

• Free brownie sundaes will be given out on Wednesday, April 22, and Thursday, April 24! The ice cream is from Ben & Jerry's, and the brownies are from Greyston Bakery. On Wednesday, be at Whole Foods Tribeca (270 Greenwich St.) between 12:30-2 pm, or Whole Foods Bowery (95 East Houston St between 4:30-5:30 pm. On Thursday, April 23, go to Whole Foods Union Square (4 Union Square South) between 12:30-2:00 pm.
  
  
  
  

Sweets News

To preface this edition of Sweets News, I must say how much I regret the closing of P*ong.

• April showers bring... macarons. To celebrate Spring, Tafu NYC (CLOSED 2009) as created a line of macarons in Japanese flavors like black sesame and matcha. They are $2.50 each.

• Are you feeling creative? Try to brainstorm Dunkin Donuts' newest flavor, and if your suggestion is chosen, you'll win a $12,000 prize! The deadline is April 7.

• Alexandra Leaf of Chocolate Tours NYC (isn't this wonderful?) will lead a chocolate factory tour on April 25 at 12:30 pm. To register, visit the ICE Website. (Apparently, it is recommended that you eat lunch beforehand, so as not to experience an insane sugar spike.)
  

Sweets News - Greenpoint and Williamsburg

• Cookie lovers in Greenpoint have been anxiously awaiting the opening of psychedelic-themed Cookie Road. The shop, which will serve Counter Culture coffee and an assortment of co-owner Aneta Szot's cookies, cakes and tarts (there's even a Liza Minnelli cookie), will be holding a meet-and-greet on Tuesday, March 3. Because the Department of Buildings has not yet issued the proper permits, no pastries will be on hand, but there will be free coffee! (Cookie Road: 94 Franklin St., Greenpoint, 718-383-8094.)
  

• Three-month-old Whisk, a delightful kitchen appliance store, contains a hidden surprise for the home baker. In the very center of the store, there's a tiny pantry stocked with edible glitter, turbinado, fondant and muscovado sugars, nonpareils, jimmies, and lots of other items to make a beautiful sweet. (Whisk: 231 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg, 718-218-7230.)
  

• You might have read about Mast Brothers Chocolate, which recently opened its newest location in Williamsburg (it had previously moved from the brothers' apartment to a Greenpoint space which was closed to the public). The factory, which produces chocolate from the bean to the bar, offers a truly special "Salt & Pepper" bar - a 60% cacao, dark milk chocolate confection made with brown sugar, sea salt and black peppercorns. According to Michael Mast, a line of truffles and hot chocolates is in the making. (Mast Brothers Chocolate: 105A North 3rd St., Williamburg, 718-388-2625. Open on Saturdays and Sundays.)

Sweets News

Today's items focus, unsurprisingly, on chocolate!

• Jacques Torres will be giving a talk and holding a chocolate tasting at the 92nd Street Y on Monday, March 16, at 8 pm. (On a recent visit to his Brooklyn store, I was told that all of the nut butters used in the chocolates are homemade. So we can indulge in Mr. Torres' chocolate/peanut-butter truffles without worry! My undying favorite will always be the cinnamon-praline...)

• In other Jacques Torres-related news, on Friday, February 13, Harrah's Resort Atlantic City will be handing out Jacques Torres chocolates (and 5,000 free overnight Waterfront Tower stays!) to celebrate Mr. Torres' new Atlantic City store, Temptations Fine Chocolate and Coffee. The promotion takes place from 8:00 -10:00am at the corner of 48th St. & 6th Ave., and from noon - 1:00pm at the Jacques Torres Hudson Store (350 Hudson St.).
  

• Have you left Valentine's Day gifts till the last minute? Junior's has the solution: a chocolate ganache-covered cheesecake, baked in the shape of a heart. Call 1-800-9-JUNIOR!
  

• In April, Francois Payard released a fantastic new cookbook: "Chocolate Epiphany." His store on Lexington Avenue is offering a free postcard with one of the most popular recipes from the cookbook: spicy chcolate pots de creme.

• Finally, I just have to put in a word about Grom's hazelnut hot chocolate - if you haven't been drinking it all winter, make this the week to discover it!

Sweets News

• The newest location of the vaunted Roasting Plant (75 Greenwich Ave.) serves more than just coffee - it is also selling $1 "cookie dough shots." There are mint brownie, chocolate-chip and Oreo flavors, and when summer rolls around, you'll be able to mix the dough into the gelato of your choice.

• Here's a bit of cookbook news: Barbara Passino, the chef/owner of Napa Valley's Oak Knoll Inn, is about to release Chocolate For Breakfast, a selection of both sweet and savory recipes. Pre-order your copy, and soon you'll be making poached apples in chocolate gingerbread cookie cups, chocolate tacos, and even a chocolate omelette!

• But if you can't wait for the book's release, and you want to incorporate chocolate into your breakfast routine immediately, take a look at this lovely chocolate con churros recipe (and delightful article) from Alejandra Garcia on NPR.
  

Sweets News

• If you want to consume a lot of sweets while simultaneously burning off the calories, do I have an event for you! Bruce Scher of Walking Tours Manhattan will be leading a "Free NYC Dessert Fest" chocolate/gelato/cupcake tour on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 10:30 am. Meet at the West Village's Magnolia Bakery (401 Bleecker St.), and look for the guy wearing a red baseball hat with the "Free NYC Dessert Fest" logo. The tour will last around 2 hours, but the sweet memories will last a lot longer.

• Looking for that unique Thanksgiving dessert? The Chocolate Room Brooklyn is baking up a limited amount of their spectacular chocolate pecan pies. Call (718) 783-2900 to place an order.