Sweet Fix NYC

This Weeks Sweet Reviews

2011-08-26T04:00:00.002-04:00

I threw in a few from weeks past, mostly when they had to do with frozen treats. The summer is coming to an end after all, it's time to squeeze in those seasonal goodies before they're gone!

Serious Eats: Icy Treats in Queens: Kulfi Falooda

Chow: 7 Ice Pops That Break the Mold

Candy Blog: Cookies ‘n’ Cream Bites

Midtown Lunch: Only 9 Days Left For Quality Meats’ Ice Cream Cake Sundaes

Serious Eats: Affogato at Blue Bottle Coffee

Serious Eats: The Best Egg Custard Tarts in Manhattan's Chinatown

Serious Eats: NYC's Top 10 Ice Cream Sandwiches

Sweet Freak: A wee sweet spot in Hell's Kitchen, Je & Jo ice cream

Blondie & Brownie: More New Flavors at Van Leeuwen!

Blondie & Brownie: CoolHaus Ice Cream Sandwiches are Now $6?!

Blondie & Brownie: Ample Hills Creamery is Worth the Very Long Walk

The Daily News: Best of NY: The creamiest, thickest, most delicious milkshakes in the boroughs

Wafels and Dinges National Waffle Day Giveaway

2011-08-23T08:42:00.000-04:00

What: National Waffle Day 2011

Where: Hanover Square, New York, NY (8AM-4:30PM)
Trader Joe's at 14th St. (6-10PM)

When: August 24th 8AM-10PM

Cost: FREE

From the blog page:
Keep reading to find out how to win vintage Wafels & Dinges prizes and how to become Mister Wafel or Miss Wafel 2011 granting you (you guessed it) ONE YEAR of free wafels!

MISS WAFEL 2011 & MISTER WAFEL 2011 win ONE YEAR OF FREE WAFFLES

The Miss Wafel and Mister Wafel contestants will be judged on four criteria:
Presentations expressing how they will represent being Miss Wafel or Mister Wafel.
Trivia contest about wafels and the country of Belgium
Explanation of “How dinges can save the global economy”
A Dinges Skills Competition with practical test to apply toppings to our waffles.

To participate, reply to our Facebook* event invite. Registration is open for up to 3 entries for the Miss Election, and 3 entries for the Mister Election. Submit by Tuesday, August 23rd at 4pm. The winners get a Belgian Wafel Passport that's valid until August 23rd, 2012. Incroyable!

Contest takes place at the truck on Hanover Square
1pm: Mister Wafel competition
1:30pm Miss Wafel competition
2pm: Ceremonial bestowing of the Wafel Passport.

*For those who are averse to anything related to Facebook, you can email info@wafelsanddinges.com with the necessary info.

FREE WAFEL in exchange for a children's drawing of waffles or of the Wafels & Dinges truck. For the more linguistically inclined, write an original poem about Spekuloos! Top 3 will be posted on the website! Open to children of all ages (18 months to 103). We'll hang your picture/poem on the truck and you get the free wafel!
At the end of the day, the most original drawings and poems will receive an authentic Wafels & Dinges T-shirt, a Kompleet Wafels & Dinges Kit and a jar of Speculoos! 2nd prize is a Kompleet Wafels & Dinges Kit & a jar of Spekuloos and 3rd prize is a jar of Spekuloos!

When: all day.
AM: from 8am till 4:30pm Hanover Square
PM: from 6pm - 10pm at the Trader Joe's at 14th St.
Important! Don't forget to add your name & email-address so we can contact you in case you won!

See you there!

Sweet Deals on Cookies

2011-08-23T08:37:00.002-04:00

Get this one fast- 20 hours remaining as of this post! Two Dozen Cookies with Free Nationwide Shipping ($25) or Ten-Person Party Tray with Free Manhattan Delivery ($33) from E.E. Cookies. Get the deal here.

35% off one dozen cookies from Downtown Cookie Co.: Get the deal here.

Cupcake Cruise!

2011-08-23T03:59:00.003-04:00

Via CCTC.

What: Cupcake Cruise to Bermuda

When: August 19-26, 2012

Where: Aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Summit to Bermuda

Cost: TBA

Obviously this is way in advance but cruises take planning, besides which, if the site is up and posts are being made, then I'm obligated to repost! Currently you can email the folks in charge here to be added to a mailing list so you're kept up to date as details come out.

Green Tea and Green Tea and Cherry Blossom Kit Kats

2011-08-23T03:12:00.006-04:00

Item: Japanese Kit Kats. Matcha (green tea- Wiki claims is made with green chocolate- whatever that means) and Sakura Macha (Cherry Blossom Green Tea).

Rating out of 5:

I signed into my Gmail account for the first time in months to find a whopping 2,338 emails, which is actually less than I was expecting but daunting nonetheless. I signed on to Blogger do to a handful of new reviews, maybe post a couple of deals or news items.

These Kit Kats were actually eaten over the Winter, my friends brother took a trip to Japan and brought these babies home. You have to understand, years ago a friend posted a link about green tea Kit Kats on some social networking site or other, and I was overcome with the sadness of knowing something I desperately wanted to try would probably be forever out of my grasp (playing this up for all it's worth). So when I walked into my friends kitchen and saw three dozen of them sitting on her table like they fucking belonged there, I'm pretty sure I recall letting out a slight squeal. Her brother in his infinite graciousness gave me one of each flavor, and so here we are.

As with many things, the buildup was a touch over-hyped. The green tea tastes...not like green tea much at all. It could be green tea that's "off" tasting, a little unpleasant. The chocolate seems a bit too thick for some reason. This might be white chocolate with green tea flavoring. After finding Wiki's entry describing it as "green" chocolate, these suspicions are strengthened.

I actually like the matcha and cherry blossom better, its sweeter and tastes more like candy, I was surprised me because I wasn't expecting to prefer it. I love green tea, but when I think of cherry blossoms I think of flower petals, and wasn't sure what to expect of the taste. I don't think I'd describe this Kit Kat as floral, but there is a lightness of flavor to it and it lacks whatever unpleasantness the plain green tea one had. I finished these but didn't crave more.

So together, they get a rating of two. If I do see them again there will not be any squealing.

Cupcakes and Cocktails with Butter Lane and Bulldog Gin

2011-03-05T22:54:00.002-05:00

What: Cupcakes and Cocktails with Butter Lane and Bulldog Gin

When: Saturday, March 12th. 8-10PM

Where: Butter Lane
123 East Seventh Street

Cost: $75

There are only 12 spots available, so if your interested signs up HERE ASAP.

From the page: Come learn how to create delicious, boozy icings with Melinda, our pastry chef/cupcake teacher and our new favorite drinking buddy, Daniel, from Bulldog gin. He'll be shaking up some old-school favorites with a twist (like the Gimlet and the Madras) and we'll show you how to create some very unique icing flavors the Butter Lane/Bulldog way. There are only 12 spots available and they're going to fill up fast. For $75 you get two cocktails, some cocktail samples, six cupcakes plus recipes.

Exotic Ice Cream Tasting

2011-03-05T22:38:00.003-05:00

Via Pulsd.

What: Complimentary Exotic Ice Cream Tasting with La Newyorkina

When: Sunday, March 6th. 7-10PM

Where: Brooklyn Winery
213 North 8th Street

Cost: Entry is free, 21+

From the page: Don’t miss our next Thinking Local event on Sunday, March 6 from 7 to 10pm, where we will play host to La Newyorkina, finalist in The Next Big Small Brand contest this year. Meet Fany Gerson, author of the cookbook My Sweet Mexico and co-founder of this local purveyor of Mexican ice and sweets. Chat with Fany as you sample her scrumptious Mexican ice, ice cream, and sorbet in one-of-a-kind flavors like mango chile and avocado.

FREE Chocolate and Beer Pairing Party

2011-02-28T13:48:00.002-05:00

What: FREE Chocolate & Beer Pairing Party

When: Mon, Feb 28, 6-8PM

Where: Pure Dark
1775 Union St

Cost: FREE

Celebrate the end of an era at Pure Dark's chocolate and pairing party tonight. This chocolate pop-up shop in the Marina will be leaving after its three-month stint, so make the most of it before it's gone. Completely free, don't miss the dark chocolate and crafted beer.

55% off at Little Pie Company

2011-02-28T13:13:00.002-05:00

55% off at Little Pie Company.

$9 gets you $20 worth of pies, sweet treats and more at Little Pie Company.

Deal Terms
* You can buy as many vouchers as you’d like.
* Limit 1 voucher per person per table (i.e. a table of 4 can use 1-4 vouchers) or limit 1 voucher per person per day (if picking up).
* Valid for dine-in and take-out only (you can pre-order for in-store pickup); voucher cannot be used for delivery or shipping.
* Full value of voucher must be used in one visit; no change or credit returned.
* Cannot be combined with other offers.
* Voucher not valid until day after purchase.
* Promotional value expires 05/25/2011.

$15 for a Six-Brownie Sampler Pack from Vermont Brownie Company

2011-02-28T13:07:00.002-05:00

Spend $15 for a Six-Brownie Sampler Pack from Vermont Brownie Company!

Expires Aug 29, 2011. Limit 1 per person, may buy 2 additional as gifts. Limit 1 per visit. Valid for delivery. Delivery Fee included.

Vermont Brownie owners Katherine Krebs and Shawna Lidsky baked dozens and dozens of brownies before developing the ideal recipe—one that packed enough chewy, chunky, chocolaty punch to rip the Throwdown title from under celebrity chef Bobby Flay's fudge-laden feet. Sampler packs are assortments of the best-selling of Katherine and Shawna’s preservative-free, made-from-scratch, and artistically assembled brownies. Each box contains one of each of the following six flavors: signature, dark chocolate chevre, espresso dulce de leche, peanut butter, maple toffee crunch, and walnut chunk. Express orders may require substitute flavors. All flavors are made with local farm-fresh ingredients, making for a sophisticated taste of Vermont not captured since the Americans retook Fort Ticonderoga by eating it.

Spring Cupcake Crawl

2011-02-28T12:57:00.002-05:00

What: Walking Tours Manhattan Spring Cupcake Crawl

When: Sunday on March 13, 11AM

Where: Billy's Bakery 184 9th Avenue (bet. West 21-22 Street)

Cost: $5 donation to help feed the hungry

From the event page:
Join us for a Cupcake Crawl on Sunday on March 13, for the best cupcakes in Chelsea and Greenwich Village. Purchases are optional.

We’ll start with Billy's, an experienced crowd pleaser. Then we’ll head to Amy's at Chelsea Market, a top baker who never disappoints. Next stop is Cupcake Stop, started with a truck now a store. And lastly Magnolia Bakery, the grandmommy of them all.

Meet our tour guide with the red ball cap saying Walking Tours Manhattan on Sunday March 13, at 11:00am at Billy's, 184 9th Avenue, bet. West 21-22 Street.

Walking distance is 1 1/4 mile, tour lasts 1 ½ hours.

Review: Bomboloni

2011-02-23T13:49:00.001-05:00

Place: Bomboloni
187 Columbus Ave
(between 68th St & 69th St)
(212) 877-3080

Items ordered:
Pistachio donut, apple donut, creme brulee donut

Cost: $1.50 each

Rating out of five:

Disbelief followed by disappointment.

Lets start with the pistachio bombolini. (Again, I apologize for the photos of camera phone photos, this will hopefully be the last time I ever have to do this).

Not much pistachio flavor to speak of at all. Had I been blind folded I don't think I would have been able to discern any flavor other than "custard", which is a shame. The dough wasn't anything to write home about either.

It was when I bit into the apple donut that I felt I understood Bombolini. They use apple sauce for the filling. Seriously, I'm not shitting you. Like straight from the jar apple sauce. I was appalled. Such a cute place with real Italians working behind the counter shouldn't be serving this to customers, they should have a sense of shame.

Applesauce?! What are you doing in a donut? Get out, you don't even fit!

Then, there was the creme brulee...

Plain, ordinary custard inside with a hardened top. This particular donuts dough tasted almost exactly like Dunkin Donuts'. Except not as good. Seriously. I was shocked. The dough alone made me gag, but the custard? Guys, your missing an amazing opportunity. Don't just use the same uniform custard for every donut (other than the apple one, for fucks sake), actually make something different for each one. Something that tastes like what you claim to be mirroring.

As it is now, you couldn't pay me to come here again.

Review: La Maison du Macaron

2011-02-16T00:00:00.003-05:00

Place: La Maison du Macaron
132 W 23rd St
New York, NY 10011
(212) 243-2757

Items ordered:
Vanilla macaron ($2.50), pistachio madeleine ($1.25), and a pistachio truffle (95 cents).

Rating out of five:

(Yes, that's a picture of a picture taken on my phone- trust me when I say it was my only workable option)

I know, I know. As so often happens, I just don't agree with the masses. La Maison is a place many consider to be ~the~ macaron spot. From what I saw on my visit I really can't see why.

But I'm not damning them to the list of avoidables just yet. The reason being that their menu clearly states that the macarons should be served at room temperature and the ones I received were ice cold. I know first hand that environment can alter a pastry quite a bit, so I'm willing to give this place another shot in the future.

Also, in the interest of full disclosure, this was my first macaron. Take from that what you will.

I'm a person who looooves her sugar. If something has a good flavor, there is no limit to the level of sweetness I can handle. I found these "too sweet" because their sweetness wasn't balanced out by a strong or interesting vanilla flavor. It turned me off from trying others, especially at $2.50 a pop. Who do these macarons think they are- cupcakes? I was expecting something sophisticated but also just plain good. This left me disappointed.

I was also disappointed that they didn't have any pistachio macarons, so I ordered the two pistachio things they did have- the truffle and the madeleine. Neither tasted much like pistachio at all. The truffle I didn't even finish, it tasted like white chocolate (not a fan). The madeleine was weak and dry, I finished it on principle, hoping it would maybe win me over. It did not.

Review: Sweet Potato Pecan Pie at Dinosaur

2011-02-09T00:00:00.002-05:00

Item: Dinosaur's Sweet Potato Pecan Pie
700 W 125th St
New York, NY 10027
(212) 694-1777

Rating out of five:

First things first: I know this is a shitty picture. I was tired, and it was for some reason proving hard to photograph and I just knew it wasn't going to be worth struggling to get a better shot of.

Secondly, this is NOT a sweet potato pecan pie. This is a sweet potato pie with pecans on top. Nothing wrong with that, but it would be nice if they advertised it properly.

The sweet potato pie isn't enjoyable on its own (light on spice and bourbon, heavy on suga, but with the pecans its alright. Not much else to say about this. To be honest, I felt like it was somewhere in-between one and a half cakes (crappy) and two cakes (mediocre), but since I finished it I decided to go easy and give it the full two.

Review: Lindt Petits Desserts

2011-02-02T11:46:00.013-05:00

Item: Lindt Petits Desserts

Cost: $9.99 (seriously)

Rating out of five:

Usually I don't buy mass produced chocolate from a chain drug store. Since I started baking and eating more (and better) pastries I just can't stomach things like Hershey's, Dove, or even Godiva (which has been mass produced store bought chocolate for a very long time now). But I was desperate and having a rare cocoa craving, so I caved and bought the second most expensive box the store had, figuring the priciest was bound to the be the best.

Wrong.

Here's the breakdown:

Creme Brulee: Its in the center of the photo on the box- everyone involved in this transaction knows this is the piece that matters most. And it is the second best tasting one in the box, but that ain't saying much. Its not really a creme brulee flavor, I'm not sure how to characterize it. It runs dangerously close to a subtle coffee. There's the smallest bit of a crunch to it. Whatever, it was the piece I excitedly tried first and thus knew it didn't bode well for the rest of the box.

Tiramisu: There's actually a coffee flavor! Too bad I'm not such a fan of said flavor and prefer tiramisus that are apparently flawed because they're lacking it. I think a lot of people would find it enjoyable, possibly the best out of the other pieces.

Millefeuille: As I found out, Millefeuille is another word for a Napoleon, as the picture on the box so helpfully points out. I don't know what's going on here but its not a Napoleon. It was at this point in my experience that I decided chocolates turned into desserts that originally contain little to no chocolate was probably a flawed concept. Its got a creamy inside, again I think other people might get something out of this but it just didn't do it for me.

Meringue: Why the fuck would they even attempt this? I dreaded biting into this chocolate. It wasn't as bad as I thought, but I don't get "meringue" from this either. The inside was mostly creamy, but for whatever reason they also included these tiny crunchy white bits in there.

(not only is the little shit not photogenic, he fails to upload properly- and is not worth fixing)

Lemon Tart: Ugh, the things I do for all the folks who don't read this blog. I fucking hate lemon, but I bit into this and promptly spit it out. This means people might actually enjoy it, because it positively reeks of lemon just like most lemon flavored desserts do. Its got a layer of lemon goo inside. So there you go.

Now on to the extra mystery chocolates! You know, the rejects that didn't make the cover of the box. You wouldn't want your customers to get too much of a "good" thing, now would ya?

Dark Chocolate Crunchy Thing: Super bitter outside, creamy inside, gross allover.

Smooth Milk Chocolate Thing: Whoa, what's going on? It looks like pure mediocrity but...there's something going on....maybe a hint of almond? Creamy inside with that signature annoying crunch that comes from I don't even know where, but overall not a horrible piece of chocolate! I almost finished the entire piece.

(The inside of dark and milk chocolate mystery pieces)

So here's my overall verdict: This product sucks. But your getting 18 pieces with a cutesy theme, and I have a feeling a lot of people who just enjoy running to the corner store for their chocolate would enjoy this as long as they don't expect the pieces to taste like the desserts they were supposedly modeled after. And with that Hallmark Holiday around the corner, maybe this is something folks want to keep in mind.

If your girl is a picky eater, a "foodie", or a pastry chef for the love of god...just don't.

This Weeks Sweet Reviews

2010-12-23T07:20:00.002-05:00

Still looking for last minute baking ideas two days before Christmas? How about super last minute sweet gifts? This post is rushing out to help anyone who may still be reading (or who happens to stumble upon my little neglected blog). More entries need to be added, but I need to get to bed and won't be able to add more till late tonight- and I've still got my own baking to do! If you need more ideas I suggest browsing Eater and Serious Eats.

Will I be back? I'm not sure. I started this blog because I had to do something to keep myself busy while I was out of work. Now that I'm working, I know I won't be able to keep up the same level of coverage I dedicated to sweets before. But I'd like to try. So no promises. I'm still on Twitter, and Facebook, and you can always subscribe via your Reader and walk away.

Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to any readers out there. I hope its a good one ;)

Babycakes: Favorite Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Candy Blog: Russell Stover Peppermint Bark Snowman; Milk Chocolate with Spiced Cookies; Head to Head: Haviland Thin Mints vs. Maxfield’s Cream Sticks

Life with Food & Drink: The Clinton St. Baking Company Cookbook: Brownie delights

Midtown Lunch: Gingerbread at the Treats Truck

Su Good Sweets: Chocolate Peppermint Cake

A Cake Bakes in Brooklyn: Macadamia Nut Toffee

Journey of an Italian Cook: Italian Knot Cookie Recipe, Chocolate Log Recipe, and Pignoli Cookie Recipe

Cupcakes Take the Cake: Pumpkin Eggnog Cupcake Recipe

Discount at ChikaLicious

2010-09-02T04:29:00.003-04:00

Via Cupcakes Take the Cake.

ChikaLicious
204 East 10th Street

Get a discount at ChikaLicious from DealOn by subscribing to their site.

Free Muffins and the Perfect Blow Job

2010-09-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

What: Eat FREE muffins & coffee while learning how to give the perfect BJ

When: September 9th, 12-2PM

Where: Babeland New York (Brooklyn)
462 Bergen Street
(718) 638-3820

Cost: FREE

This Weeks Sweet Reviews

2010-08-28T16:00:00.000-04:00

Always Hungry: Tabla Cart’s Kulfi Pop

Life with Food & Drink: Peoples Pops peach basil

Blondie & Brownie: Bouchon

Feast: The Best Ice Cream in NY

Life with Food & Drink: Green Apple gelato

Midtown Lunch: Junior's Cupcakes

Blondie & Brownie: Plum Crumble from Four and Twenty Blackbirds

Restaurant Girl: Simply Peeled - A Whole New Brand of Soft-Serve

Serious Eats: Peach Doughnuts at Doughnut Plant

Dessert for Dinner: Breakfast at Clinton Street Baking Co.

Dessert for Dinner: The Four Pastry Breakfast at Maialino

Foodista NYC: Kelvin Natural Slush Co. - Not Your 7-11 Slurpees

Ice Cream for Dinner: Grom, Shake Shack, Lulu & Mooky's.

Fork in the Road: Peels' Berry Crisp

We Heart Astoria: Favorite Astoria Sweets

Blue Smoke Bake Shop Opens

2010-08-26T00:38:00.006-04:00

Via Fork in the Road.

Blue Smoke Bake Shop
116 E 27th St.
(212) 447-6058

The restaurant has opened a bake shop right by its entrance and sweets will be available from 11:30AM-9PM seven days a week. The menu includes cake, cupcakes (in flavors like Boston cream, coconut cream, and double espresso), freshly baked bread, cookies, bars, and whole pies.

Update: Feast takes a closer look at the baked goods being offered.
And Serious Eats has an even closer look!

Beny's Delice Opens in Brooklyn

2010-08-25T03:54:00.003-04:00

Via Fork in the Road.

Beny's Delice
903 Fulton Street
Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
718-622-1400

Apparently this section of Clinton Hill was in need of a bakery.

Champs Vegan Bakery Opens in Williamsburg

2010-08-25T03:42:00.003-04:00

Original photo can be found here.

Via Free Williamsburg & The Discerning Brute.

Champs Vegan Bakery
176 Ainslie Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 599-2743

This vegan bakery soft-opened in early August and offers the standard choices of cookies, cupcakes, scones, brownies, whoopie pies, brownies, croissants and coffee. 85% of their ingredients are organic.

Review: La Dolce Via

2010-08-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

La Dolce Via
12-58 150st
Whitestone, NY
(718) 747-3652

Items ordered: Cannoli dream cake, rainbow cookie cake, amaretto gelato

Rating out of 5:

I really wanted to like this place, mainly because its so darn cute inside. They have a pink vespa in one window and festively painted walls, but I wasn't impressed with what I tried. However, I'd be willing to come back to try more gelato flavors, because I don't think its fair to judge them based on one flavor, one time. Its their pastries I was really disappointed in.

The amaretto gelato was alright, I thought the flavor was pretty weak though and I got bored with it fast.

UGH. Looks pretty, doesn't it? I had no reason to think this wouldn't be delicious, which made the let down so much worse. It tastes nothing like cannoli cream, it tastes cream cheese based. I can eat cream cheese on bagels, but on nothing else, and in no other form. I understand people think I'm crazy, but no matter what other ingredients are added it always tastes like pure cream cheese. Cinnabon's icing is an exception, but I doubt there is any real cream cheese in there.

The rainbow cake also looked delicious, but didn't have much of an almond flavor and it had a strange aftertaste I couldn't quite place.

Maybe I went on an off day, but I couldn't even finish the two mini cakes I bought. Sad.

August Cannoli Crawl

2010-08-23T22:43:00.003-04:00

What: NYC Food Crawl August Cannoli Crawl

When: Thursday, August 26th, 7-10PM

Where: RSVP on Facebook or email the organizers at rsvpfoodcrawl@gmail.com for the location

Cost: Free to attend, you pay for your food

From the Facebook event page:
For those among you fabulous food lovers who are new to crawling, here's ho...w we roll: a meetup location is announced a couple days before the crawl, and folks assemble there at the appointed time. We'll break out into groups of about 5 or 6 and route assignments are distributed. (Some folks know who they want to crawl with and some don't. It's all good- either way, you'll probably go home with new friends! If you don't have a group we help put y'all together.)

We generally suggest chucking in about $5-6 to a group money pot and appointing someone to be the team "captain" to handle orders for you.

If that's up your alley (and of course it is!), shoot me an RSVP via Facebook (or rsvpfoodcrawl@gmail.com)

And as always, feel free to send questions, comments, random declarations of love, etc. to nycfoodcrawl@gmail.com.

Free NYC Dessert Fest Ice Cream Meetup

2010-08-18T00:27:00.002-04:00

What: Free NYC Dessert Fest Ice Cream

When: Sunday August 22nd, 11AM

Where: Max Brenner
841 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
212-388-0030

Cost: I think there is usually a $5 donation that goes towards fighting hunger, other than that your responsible for your ice cream purchases.

Other than Max Brenner, locations have yet to be specified, but the organizer is open to taking suggestions.

Strawberry’s Sports Grill Offers Cupcakes in Douglaston, Queens

2010-08-17T00:35:00.002-04:00

Via Grub Street.

Strawberry’s Sports Grill
42–15 235th St.
Douglaston, NY
718-517-8787

Its true! Cupcakes are on the menu at Daryl Strawberry's newly opened sports grill and are selling for $4.95 a pop. The dessert menu also includes bourbon flavored pecan pie, deep fried Twinkies, banana pudding, chocolate fudge brownie sundae, and milk shakes.

The Lemon Ice King of Corona (kinda) Comes to The Rockaways

2010-08-17T00:25:00.003-04:00

Via Grub Street.

Original photo can be found here.

The Irish Circle
101–19 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Rockaway Park, NY
718-474-9002

The Irish Circle, a bar in the Rockaway section of Queens, has opened up an annex of the Corona Ice King and is selling 37 of the famous businesses following flavors:

Blueberry
Grape
Banana
Peach
Bubble Gum
Fruit Cocktail
Rum Raisin
Almond
Coffee
Mint
Lime
Apple
Licorice
Lemon
Chocolate
Cherry
Rainbow
Peanut Butter
Pina Colada
Pistachio
Coconut
Pineapple
Orange
Tangerine
Strawberry
Raspberry
Watermelon
Orange/Vanilla Swirl
Mint Chocolate Chip
Mango
Cotton Candy
Cantaloupe
Sugar Free Lemon
Sugar Free Chocolate
Sugar Free Cherry
Sugar Free Orange

Lots of Sweet Reviews

2010-08-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

From the past three weeks, lots of yum.

Pies ‘N’ Thighs’ Molasses Cookie

BBQ Soft Serve Now at Milk Bar

Robicelli’s Alcohol Cupcakes

Artisanal Creamery in Queens

Melt Bakery

The best popsicle I ever ate- from La Newyorkina

Vanilla-almond soft serve from Kyotofu

Holey Cream surprises with a new star fro yo

Black sesame soft serve from Kyotofu

Sampling the Joyride Truck’s Fro-yo

We Ate at Pop-Tarts World in Times Square: 14 Creations

Icebox Cake at Billy's Bakery

Deliveries We Like: e.e. cookies

Raspberry Eclair at Financier

Gourmet Sweets & Restaurant in Queens

Chocolate-Stuffed Sourdough at Levain Bakery

Lemon-Raspberry Cake at Almondine Bakery

Brioche Gelato Sandwiches at Mia Dona
&
Mia Dona’s Gelato Sandwich Might Be the Best Take Away Dessert in the Area

Strawberry Panna Cotta at Bouchon Bakery

Chocolate Bread Pudding at Tate's Bake Shop

Van Leeuwen Has New Flavors

Looking For The Best Cholados in Queens

Gelato at Borne Confections

Battle of the Newfangled Popsicles: Popbar vs. People's Pops

Taste Testing Strawberry Ice Cream

Veniero’s

Sweet Melissa Patisserie - Oh How Sweet and Sinful...

Red Velvet with Raspberry Frosting at Made Fresh Daily

Bodega Frozen Treats

Vanilla Malted at Brooklyn Farmacy

East Village Shaved Ice Smackdown: TKettle vs. Just Sweet

Spot's Condensed Milk Ice Cream With Nata de Coco

Balthazar Bakery Now Serving Cupcakes

2010-08-16T22:51:00.004-04:00

Via Grub Street, Cupcakes Take the Cake, and Lunch Studio.

Balthazar Bakery is now serving cupcakes! They cost $4.50 a pop.

Crumbs Opens in Brooklyn

2010-08-16T20:26:00.002-04:00

Via Brooklyn Heights Blog.

The Crumbs at 109 Montague (between Henry and Hicks) is officially open.

Free Cupcakes and Vibrators this Week!

2010-08-16T19:41:00.003-04:00

Via NYC The Blog.

What: In the Flesh Erotic Reading Series Summer Sex/Sex on the Beach Night

When: Thursday, August 19th, 8-10PM

Where: Happy Ending Lounge
302 Broome St.
NY, NY

Cost: FREE, 21+

4 waterproof vibes will be given away at the event, along with free Baked by Melissa cupcakes!

Armenian Bakery Brooklyn Bread House Opens

2010-08-16T19:23:00.003-04:00

Via Sheepshead Bites.

Brooklyn Bread House
1718 Jerome Avenue
Brooklyn, NY

This newly opened Armenian bakery sells cookies, cakes, breads, nuts, dried fruit, regional candies and pickles. They are the only bakery in the area to offer lavash, a thin unleavened bread made by slapping the flattened dough against the hot walls of a wood oven. They also offer Italian and other regional baked goods, and in the future they hope to add BBQ, a salad bar, Turkish coffee and Armenian pizza.

Let's Make Cupcakes at Cupcake Kids Kitchen

2010-08-16T19:08:00.002-04:00

Via Cupcakes Take the Cake.

What: Let's Make Cupcakes. Everyone loves cupcakes - come learn how to make our fall-favorite carrot cupcakes from scratch and decorate them to our hearts content.

When: Saturday, Sep 25th
10:45AM - 11:45AM: 2-4 yrs, with caregiver
9:30AM - 10:30AM: 5-8 yrs, drop off

Where: Cupcake Kids Kitchen
109 W 27th Street

Cost: $50 (for either class)

Enrollment is limited and spaces are likely to fill up fast, so sign up ASAP.

Cupcake Hatred Article from Slate

2010-08-16T04:11:00.003-04:00

Via Cupcakes Take the Cake, Via Slate.

The article is titled "Against Cupcakes", and the ladies over at CTTC make the excellent point that all these articles do is make more business for these cupcake bakeries by giving them free publicity. They also provide some pro-cupcake articles. So in honor of yet another anti-cupcake piece, this is your excuse to go out and buy a cupcake!

Buy 1 Cupcake get 1 Free at Cream Bakery in Astoria

2010-08-16T03:29:00.004-04:00

Via The Foodista.

Cream Bakery
31-78 Steinway Street, Astoria NY 11103
(718) 545 3800
Take the R/G Train to Steinway Street

The newly opened bakery is offering a buy one get one free cupcake offer good through August 31st 2010.

Ice Cream Festival

2010-08-16T02:04:00.002-04:00

Via NYC Food Guy.

What: Ice Cream Festival

When: Sunday August 22, 12 - 4PM

Where: New Amsterdam Market
South Street, New York NY
(212) 766-8688

Cost: $20 for the ice cream tasting, $35 for both the ice cream and the tomato tasting. You will not receive a physical ticket, rather your name will appear on the list at the door of the event. You will need to provide your ID for admittance. You can buy your tickets here or by visiting the event website.

From the site:
On August 22nd we'll be hosting an ice cream fair at New Amsterdam Market! A total of six ice cream and sorbet makers will be there, including The Bent Spoon, Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, Marlow & Daughters, Roberta's, Early Bird Cookery, and MilkMade Ice Cream. These artisans are committed to showcasing regional products and flavors. Each will create up to three unique ice creams and sorbets for the market that use only seasonal or responsibly sourced ingredients.
With so many great flavors, we know it might be hard to choose just one! This sampler will entitle you to a booklet of six tasting tickets, which you can redeem for miniature ice cream cones in the flavors of your choice.
Proceeds will benefit New Amsterdam Market.

Please join us for the Food Systems Network's celebration of the glorious TOMATO at New Amsterdam Market!
Taste and compare a dazzling array of dead ripe tomatoes at their peak of flavor, savor tomato dishes and virgin cocktail sips by tomato chefs, including FSNYC members Jorge Collazo (SchoolFood), Meg Grace (The Redhead), Mary Cleaver (The Cleaver Company), and others.
Proceeds benefit Food Systems Network New York City

AWIB Summer Ice Cream Tasting

2010-08-15T19:59:00.002-04:00

What: Asian Women in Business's Summer Ice Cream Tasting

When: Wednesday, August 18th from 6PM-9PM (rain date August 19th)

Where: Ogilvy & Mather
Rooftop Terrace, 636 11th Avenue
New York, NY

Cost: $20 for members, $45 for non-members. You MUST register at the website and RSVP with your payment by August 17th. *No tickets will be sold at the door*

From the website:
On a warm summer evening, enjoy an expansive New York City view, feel the breeze from the Hudson River and watch the sun set while tasting premium ice cream paired with that perfect glass of sparkling wine. Featuring Asian-owned ice cream manufacturers, get a chance to cool off while experiencing a dozen unique flavors from Black Sesame to Kulfi Pistachio Cardamon. Absolutely the sweetest networking event you can attend, it even includes an extensive candy station. Hot dog sliders will also be served, compliments of So Dam Hot.

Apologies and Updates

2010-08-15T19:43:00.004-04:00

First of all, I hope all you readers and stumblers out there are having a great summer. I do want to apologize for going MIA for the past two weeks, but I got bronchitis, followed by a summer cold. Knocked on my ass, I kinda lost the will to blog.

But I'm back now! And I'll be making some changes to how I write the blog. You may have already noticed the new look. I think its brighter and a bit easier to read. I also won't be covering as much news as I've attempted to over the last 10 months (I can't believe I've been writing for almost a year already!). I love keeping up with pastry related news, but its simply too much for one person to do with regularity. From now on I'll be focusing on generating original content with my reviews, discounts & freebies, events, and select openings (but not closings).

I'll also be breaking up THE Bakery Map into two, one map for Manhattan and one for the outer boroughs. The whole point of the maps was to be able to locate the bakery closest to where you are at any given moment, but they've become so bogged down with locations that I feel the load time makes them impractical.

If anyone is out there, thanks for reading :)

Half off at Kyotofu

2010-08-01T15:35:00.002-04:00

Get $30 worth of dining & desserts at Kyotofu for $15 with this deal from Inbundles. Just 13 hours left to purchase of this posting, so hurry!

Expires 2/2/2011, purchase as many bundles as you want, dine in only, 1 bundle per table, 2 per tables of 4 or more.

The Best Cupcakes, Frozen Sweets, and Canelés

2010-07-23T03:40:00.002-04:00

Serious Eats gives a serious run down of the best cupcakes the city has to offer. The winner was Baked in Brooklyn. I have wanted to do something like this for so long but I just don't have the money or the time. I am very jealous.

Restaurant Girl offers up a list of the best places to get frozen treats this summer. Peoples Pops and Van Leeuwen made the list.

The City Sweet Tooth goes on a canelé crawl and lets us know four good locations to pick up this French pastry.

Two for One Cupcakes at Crumbs

2010-07-23T02:53:00.004-04:00

Original photo can be found here.

Via NYC Deals.

Crumbs
87 Beaver St (between Hanover St & Wall St)

To celebrate them now being open on weekends, the above Crumbs location is now offering folks a two for one cupcake deal every weekend until the end of the summer. All you have to do is print the coupon at the above link at NYC Deals.

Review: Baskin-Robbins America's Birthday Cake

2010-07-23T02:27:00.005-04:00

Baskin-Robbins American Birthday Cake

Cost: $7-8

Rating out of 5:

Birthday Cake is Baskin Robbins July flavor of the month, so I strongly suggest you head over and try some before its gone. This flavor is sadly hard to come by.

With its kaleidoscope of colors and laundry list of ingredients, some people are turned off by Birthday Cake, but not me. I love is this flavor something fierce.

Its got strawberry ice cream, cake flavored ice cream, a smooth blue ribbon running through it and bits of cake pieces. I got a hand packed quart and blew through it in a few days (which is actually pretty good, considering how quick I usually go through frozen treats. See upcoming post on the Corona Ice King). This is some seriously yummy ice cream, very sweet and full of fun textures, and while its not for everyone, it might be for you.

This Weeks (and last weeks) Sweet Reviews

2010-07-23T00:00:00.004-04:00

Always Hungry: The “Shacked-Up”

Always Hungry: Spekuloos for Sale from Wafels & Dinges

Always Hungry: Terroir's olive oil cake, chocolate budino, and panna cotta

A Passion for Food: Pies 'n' Thighs banana cream pie, rhubarb pie, and apple pie with cheddar

Chow: Red grape sorbet from Il Laboratorio del Gelato

Chow: Avocado Parfait Perfection at Spot Dessert Bar

Chow: Earl grey ice cream from Van Leeuwen

Chow: Doughnut Plant

Eating in Translation: Astor Bake Shop

Eating in Translation: Brewla Bars

Life with Food and Drink: Crumbs and Billys Bakery

Life is Delicious: Watermelon Pinkberry

Blondie & Brownie: Blueberry Doughnut from the Doughnut Plant

Feast: Blueberry Tart at Buttermilk Channel and Ice Cream Cake at Quality Meats

Serious Eats: Chocolate Marquise at Spot Dessert Bar

Blondie & Brownie: Trying Out New Cupcake Flavors from Robicellis

Serious Eats: The Grasshopper at Tipsy Parson

A Passion for Food: Caffetteria

Eating in Translation: Gertel's Rugelach

Serious Eats: Tiramisu at Veloce Pizzeria and Motorino

Under the 7 Train: 2010 Roosevelt Avenue Street Crawl

Serious Eats: Blueberry Tarts at Petrossian

Lunch Studio: Lemon cupcake from Balthazar

Serious Eats: Bee Stings at Sweet Melissa

Serious Eats: Lime Cornmeal and Orange Butter Cookies at Amy's Bread

Serious Eats: Chocolate Cake at The Chocolate Room

Serious Eats: Tasting the New Concretes from Theater District Shake Shack

Serious Eats: Honey-Coffee and Blueberry Pies at Blue Ribbon Market

Cupcakes Take the Cake: 4 frosting shots at Butter Lane

Blondie & Brownie: Four & Twenty Blackbirds

NYC Tastes: New Berry Berry Mouse at Panya

NYC Tastes: Spot Dessert Shop

Fork in the Road: Lula's Sweet Apothecary's Ice Cream Sundae

Fork in the Road: Astor Bake Shop

Midtown Lunch: Cake Balls at Ma Peche Milk Bar

Serious Eats: Mari's New York

Serious Eats: Just Sweet

NY Times: Takahachi Bakery

Blondie & Brownie: Corona Ice King

Under the 7 Train: Russian Ice Cream Bars

Fork in the Road: Grandaisy Bakery's Banana Walnut Bread

Serious Eats: Mango-Passionfruit Sorbet at La Maison du Chocolat

New Frogurt Place Wickedspoon Opens

2010-07-23T00:00:00.002-04:00

Via Fucked in Park Slope & Grub Street.

Wickedspoon
321 9th St. (near Fifth Ave)
Park Slope, Brooklyn
347-987-4810

They are scheduled to open this Saturday and will be giving out free samples from noon-3PM. Besides frogurt they plan on offering frogurt stuffed whoopie pies from Wannahavacookie and frogurt topped Belgian waffles. And...chocolate covered crickets, which are supposed to come across as "edgy".

Crumbs Opens New Location Not Far from Old One

2010-07-23T00:00:00.001-04:00

Original image can be found here.

Via Westside Independent.

Crumbs
350 Amsterdam Ave (76th)
New York, NY 10023
212 712 9800

The new Crumbs is located inside the Harrison on Amsterdam between 76th and 77th and has replaced the former location one block south.

Free Frogurt at Berrywild

2010-07-22T20:55:00.002-04:00

Via Pulse JFK.

Tomorrow get a free mini cup of frogurt from the Berrywild at 2286 Broadway from 3PM till closing. All you have to do is print out the coupon and present it while ordering.

Just Sweet Opens

2010-07-22T20:38:00.001-04:00

Via Eater.

Just Sweet
83 Third Ave

This new Asian dessert spot is now open.

Joyride Frogurt Truck

2010-07-22T20:08:00.002-04:00

Via Midtown Lunch.

The new fro-yo truck has been spotted at 52nd & 6th. They also have coffee. Follow them on Twitter!

Mia Dona Meatball Cart Serves Gelato

2010-07-22T20:00:00.001-04:00

Via Midtown Lunch & Eater.

Starting tomorrow, the cart will serve $6 ice cream sandwiches every weekday from 3-6PM.

$10 for 6 Scoops at Ciao Bella

2010-07-22T19:42:00.003-04:00

Original photo can be found here.

That's 55% off! $10 gets you a punch card that's good at three of Ciao Bella's locations:

54 Grand Central Terminal
(212) 867-5311‎

27 East 92nd Street
(212) 831-5555

World Financial Center
225 Liberty St
(212) 786-4707

Get the deal here. The card is good till November 20th. Tax not included.

Lily Lolly's Ice Kitchen Opens

2010-07-21T07:33:00.002-04:00

Via Midtown Lunch.

The Lily Lolly's Ice Kitchen cart recently began parking in front of the Macy's on 34th and Broadway, and is selling ice pops for $3.50. According to ML, they are worth the price. You can follow her on Twitter.

$1 Time Warner Ice Cream Truck is Back

2010-07-21T07:29:00.002-04:00

Via Midtown Lunch.

The truck will be in Bryant Park every Monday through August 16th from 4-10PM. They only offer chocolate and vanilla cups or cones- without even sprinkles! But for $1 you really can't complain, or at least you shouldn't, since your money is going to help out local museums.

Free Dessert with Secret Password

2010-07-21T07:21:00.002-04:00

Via Midtown Lunch.

Stop by the Desi Truck (on 27th and 5th) through the end of July and say “Khul Jaa Sim Sim” to get a free dessert! The words apparently mean "open the secret door".

Beny's Delice Opens in Brooklyn

2010-07-21T06:38:00.002-04:00

Via Gothamist and Grub Street.

Beny's Delice
903 Fulton Street, Brooklyn
646-704-1315

They will be offering French pastries and savory food. Pretty sweet looking interior too.

July Ice Cream Crawl

2010-07-21T06:30:00.004-04:00

What: July Ice Cream Crawl

When: TOMORROW, July 22nd. 6:30-9:30PM

Where: RSVP TODAY for location (rsvpfoodcrawl@gmail.com)

Cost: FREE to attend

I know this is short notice, but this is an awesome event and if your interested your going to want to RSVP ASAP. No later that today, in fact. The location will be somewhere on the West side.

Cupcake Article in the WSJ

2010-07-21T06:18:00.003-04:00

Original photo can be found here.

The article is called New York City's Cupcake Economy, and says that cupcakes are a "legitimate driver of the city's economy". They even go so far as to quote someone who says that (after an entire decade) "This could be a fad, or not".

Or not guys!

Cupcakes and Corsets

2010-07-10T00:38:00.003-04:00

Original photo can be found here.

Via Cupcakes Take the Cake.

What: The Eulenspiegel Society's Cupcakes and Corsets

When: Saturday, July 17, 2010. 10PM-3AM

Where: Paddles (NSFW Link)
250 W26 st (Basement)

Cost: $25 for TES members, $35 for everyone else

21 and over, no photography permitted. Visit the TES website for more info (possibly NSFW).

From the site:
Quick-lace yourself into your best corseted finery and race to Paddles on this night because there will be FREE CUPCAKES!!! Once the cupcakes are gone, they are gone, but the corsets will remain! Well, we will save some cupcakes for you, but only if you enter a sultry and sensual cupcake eating contest for the prize of a 1-year TES Membership. Tight-laced corsets and waist-tightening pastries abound in this magical meeting of two great loves!

The Third Annual Great American Pie-Off

2010-07-10T00:18:00.004-04:00

Via Serious Eats, Diners Journal, and Eating in Translation.

What: New York Theater Experiment's Third Annual Great American Pie-Off

When: July 10th, 4-7PM

Where: Galway Hooker
7 E 36th St. (between 5th & Madison)
Private upstairs room

Cost: $10 (for two pieces of pie), $20 (for a piece of ALL the pies!). Buy your tickets here & here.

This is a pie contest that will be judged by Top Chef Season Six contestant Ash Fulk, Daniel Gritzer of Time Out NY, and Ron Silver owner of Bubby’s Pie Company.

Guests can also take part in a silent auction and get the chance to vote for an audience favorite.

You can still register to enter the contest in person the day of the event! Just bring your pie and $20 for the entry fee.

Bainbridge Bakery Re-Opens with a New Name in the Bronx

2010-07-10T00:13:00.003-04:00

Via Bronx News Network.

Bainbridge Bakery was destroyed twice in a Bronx shopping center fire, but they're back again and are set to open today at 8AM! I wish them the best of luck :)

The bakery will now be called Anna's Bakery and Cafe and is located at 2125 Williamsbridge Road (between Pelham Parkway and Lydig Avenue).

Stop by today for some free coffee (and possibly other free goodies too).

Best Chocolate Cake in the World Now Delivers

2010-07-10T00:03:00.003-04:00

Original photo can be found here.

Via Grub Street.

Best Chocolate Cake in the World (at 55A Spring St) will now deliver anywhere in Manhattan for $5. Call 212-343-2253 to order.

This Weeks Sweet Reviews

2010-07-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

Life with Food & Drink: Gelato at Ciao Bella

Daily Candy: 13 Ways We All Scream for Ice Cream

Serious Eats: 10 Ways to Beat the Heat

Eat to Blog: Blood-Orange Infused Balsamic Vinegar at Big Gay Ice Cream

Eat to Blog: Banana Puddin’ Across Town

Eatery Row: L'Arte del Gelato

Eatery Row: Fat Witch Bakery

Always Hungry: The Red Cat’s Pistachio Semifreddo

Feisty Foodie: Dessert at Landmarc

Feisty Foodie: Dessert at James Beard House

Serious Eats: Arctic Circle at Aquavit

Serious Eats: Ice Cream Cakes at Quality Meats

Serious Eats: Banana: Nilla Wafer Ice Cream at Cafe Cluny

Serious Eats: Where to Buy Gulab Jamun in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst

Fork in the Road: Takahachi Bakery's Almond-Miso Cookies

Fork in the Road: T.E. Key Lime Caramels

Fork in the Road: Battle of the Chocolate-Filled French Breakfast Pastries: Falai Panetteria vs. Pain d'Avignon

Feisty Foodie: 17th Annual Top Ten Pastry Chefs In America, The Finale

Queen Bakery Opens in Chinatown

2010-07-09T19:13:00.003-04:00

Via NYC The Blog.

Queen Bakery has opened on 150 Mott Street and is "serving buns, cakes, and you tiao".

Pure Dark on Bleecker has Closed

2010-07-09T19:05:00.002-04:00

Via NYC The Blog.

Pure Dark on Bleecker St has closed, but you can still buy their chocolate at any of the following Food Emporium locations:
1175 Third Ave
405 E 59 St
810 Eighth Ave

$21 for 10 Small Cups or Cones at Tasti D-Lite

2010-07-09T18:11:00.002-04:00

Get $43 worth of of ice cream & frozen yogurt from at Tasti D-Lite for $21. Get the deal from Buy With Me here.

Hester Street Ice Cream Available this Saturday Only

2010-07-02T21:39:00.002-04:00

Via NYC Food Guy.

This Saturday check out Hester Street Fair ( at the intersection of Hester Street and Essex Street) for some exclusive frozen goodies offered for one day only.

Guerilla Ice Cream will be offering Redcoat a spicy cranberry shaved ice with pop rocks and Chinatown Tea Party, a Steel Buddha Tea sorbet with Chinese walnut cookies and fresh dragonfruit.

La Newyorkina will be offering Watermelon Paleta.

Ice Cream in NYC!

2010-07-02T03:46:00.008-04:00

Original photo can be found here.

The Post gives a a rundown of ice cream concoctions at Otto, ABC Kitchen, DBGB, and Popbar.

Fork in the Road offers a guide to restaurant ice cream carts.

Feast brings us a map of unique ice cream flavors.

Review: Salerno Pastry Cafe

2010-07-02T02:38:00.009-04:00

Salerno Pastry Cafe
153-71 Cross Island Parkway
718-357-4808

Items ordered:
Creme Brulee
Creme puff with cannoli cream
Creme puff with traditional cream
Creme puff with chocolate cream
Rainbow cookies

Rating out of five:

Salerno's has such an unassuming exterior, and since its tucked away deep into the Whitestone Shopping Center, its easy to completely miss it even if you know where it is. I also found it odd that their business cards list a website that is no longer active.

The creme brulee was good, but I wish the top has been harder- there should be a crunch to it that just wasn't there.

The creme puff with the cannoli cream didn't taste fresh, and over-all I didn't think the two went well together. But the puff with traditional creme was delicious. I'm not a fan of hardened chocolate on anything, so obviously I wasn't a fan of the puff with chocolate.

The rainbow cookies tasted better than they looked, but still weren't good. The almond flavor was too subtle.

This bakery isn't terrible, but there are such better places to spend my money in Whitestone (like Little Cakes!).

Dessert Truck Back on the Street

2010-07-02T01:23:00.003-04:00

Via Feast, Midtown Lunch, and Fork in the Road.

Last year the city forced the much loved truck to shut down do to permit problems, but now the truck is back! And they will be with us till October.

Follow the truck on Twitter & Facebook, and don't forget to stop by their brick & mortar shop DT Works at 6 Clinton St.

This Weeks Sweet Reviews

2010-07-02T00:00:00.002-04:00

Always Hungry: Dark and Stormy Float at The Redhead

Food in Mouth: Fay Da has a shitty red bean ice

Scoop on Cones: Patches of Star Dairy

Scoop on Cones: Cake and Shake

Life with Food and Drink: Billy's Cupcakes

Life with Food and Drink: Grom

Life with Food and Drink: Midday desserts and coffee at Brasserie Athenee

Serious Eats: Fig Milkshake at Il Laboratorio del Gelato

Serious Eats: Strawberry Pudding at Billy's Bakery

Eat to Blog: Van Leeuwen vs Blue Marble

Serious Eats: Maple Hill Creamery's Maple Yogurt

Serious Eats: The Best Chocolate Cake in the World

City Sweet Tooth: Frozen Truffles at Borne Confections

Blondie & Brownie: Oreo Cookie Jar Blizzard from DQ

Fork in the Road: Guerrilla Ice Cream

NYC Tastes: Grand Central Magnolia

Cupcakes Take the Cake: iEatTreats: a review

Serious Eats: Waffles & Dinges

Lunch Studio: Walnut Cookie Crisp from Village Tart

Feisty Foodie: Eddie’s Sweet Shop

Fork in the Road: Battle of the Dishes: Fourth of July Berry Pie Edition

NYC Tastes: Bee Desserts

Life with Food & Drink: Sweet Revenge

The Lower Eastside Girls Club Opens Celebrate Café

2010-07-01T23:41:00.009-04:00

Via Fork in the Road.

Celebrate Café
308 Bowery

Located inside the Bowery Poetry Club and owned by the Lower Eastside Girls Club, Celebrate Café is used as a job training and employment program, and offers pastries from their Sweet Things Bake Shop on Avenue C.

Kelvin Natural Slush Truck Opening Soon

2010-07-01T23:41:00.006-04:00

Via Grub Street.

Kelvin Natural Slush is an "all premium, all natural slush company". The truck should be up and running soon, check their Twitter page for current locations. Expect to see flavors geared towards adults, such as Spicy Ginger, Tangy Citrus, and Green & Black Tea.

Macaron Cafe Opens Second Location

2010-07-01T23:40:00.005-04:00

Via Midtown Lunch.

Macaron Cafe
625 Madison Ave (59th btwn Park & Madison)

The cafe opened last week and is now serving lunch along with authentic macarons. Click the above link to see the inside of the cafe.

You can also visit their original location on 36th between 6th+7th.

Jello Mold Competition, Unfancy Food Show, and Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America

2010-07-01T23:39:00.005-04:00

Check out lots of awesome photos from the 2010 Jello Mold Competition on Eater and Gothamist.

Take a look at all the sweet offerings at the 2010 Unfancy Food Show on Cakespy.

Then also visit Feisty Foodie here and here for in-depth coverage of The 17th Annual Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America 2010.

Free McDonalds Frappe

2010-07-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Via Pulse JFK.

You can get a FREE McDonalds Frappe in mocha or caramel July 2nd & 9th, from 7AM-7PM. Call your local McDonalds to see if they are participating, the Manhattan location at 160 Broadway apparently offers the deal.

8 cent Zeppoles and Fried Oreos

2010-06-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Monday, June 28th from 2-8PM, Led Zeppole will be offering zeppoles and fried Oreos for just 8 cents! In order to get the discount, get this coupon text to your phone and show it to the cashier.

Free Divine Summer Desserts Class

2010-06-26T17:48:00.002-04:00

Via Pulse JFK.

What: Fresh to Frozen Summer Desserts

When: June 27th, 12-6PM

Where: Williams-Sonoma
45 Main Street
Phone: (718) 473-1800

Cost: FREE

From the event site:
Frozen desserts are a wonderful way to enjoy summer's bounty of fruits. We'll show you how to make frozen favorites with ease, including all-American ice-cream, Italian gelato and frozen yogurt (the healthy alternative). We'll also rediscover a childhood favorite - ice pops - that both children and grown-ups will love! Please call your local Williams Sonoma store for the exact time of this event, which should be running all day long.

Cinnabon at Rockefeller Center has Closed

2010-06-25T16:26:00.002-04:00

Via Midtown Lunch.

The Cinnabon at the subway station below Rock Center has closed and has been replaced by a Jamba Juice. Yep.

Astor Bake Shop Opens in Queens

2010-06-25T16:19:00.002-04:00

Via NY Times & Eater.

Astor Bake Shop
12-23 Astoria Boulevard (14th Street)
Astoria, Queens
(718) 606-8439.

Pastry chef George McKirdy has opened his first bakery specializing in American and European pastries. Also expect to see sandwiches, sliders, burgers and a dinner menu soon.

This Weeks Sweet Reviews

2010-06-25T13:43:00.000-04:00

Life with Food & Drink: Kyotofu

Blondie and Brownie: Sugar Cafe

Cookie Madness: Nine Favorite Chocolate Cakes

Always Hungry: Five Leaves' Ice Cream Cart

Life with Food and Drink: Bouchon's toffee tart

The Foodista: Give a Warm Welcome to Astor Bake Shop

Fork in the Road: The Best Chocolate Cake in the World? "As a Matter of Fact, It Sucks."

W Magazine: The Best Chocolate Cake in the World? Our staff weighs in

Serious Eats: Guerrilla Ice Cream: A New Cart With Flavors Inspired by Social Movements

Life with Food & Drink: Odeon Cart Ice Cream

Serious Eats: Raspberry-Yogurt Cakes at Le Pain Quotidien

Lunch Studio: Strawberry Tart at Financier

Serious Eats: Raspberry-Almond Croissant at Bouchon Bakery

Serious Eats: Strawberry Pie Sundae at Mercer Kitchen

Lunch Studio: Cookies at Eileen's

Serious Eats: Lemon-Blueberry Turnovers at Grandaisy

Serious Eats: Rice Pudding at Russ & Daughters

The Skinny Pig: Gelato on Sticks? Find It At Popbar

Eater: Mapping New York's Best Frozen Treats

Fork in the Road: Little Buddy Biscuit Co.'s Strawberry-Gingersnap Ice Cream Sandwich

Jeffery Tastes: Roosevelt Avenue Find – Cocada de Coco

The Feed: Ice cream cakes at Quality Meats

Etsy Cupcake Craft Night with Cupcakes Take the Cake

2010-06-24T22:58:00.004-04:00

What: Cupcake Craft Night at Etsy Labs in DUMBO

When: July 19, 2010, 4-8PM

Where: Etsy Labs DUMBO
55 Washington St, Suite 512
City/State: Brooklyn, NY

Cost: FREE

There are only 9 spots left so you should RSVP ASAP.

Free People’s Pops Friday & Saturday

2010-06-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

Via NYC Food Guy.

This Friday & Saturday (June 25th & 26th), get free People's Pops ice pops from The Cooking Channels ice cream truck. The truck will be roaming about the country, promoting the new channel.

In NY, the truck will be at Chelsea Market Friday from 10AM-6PM (75 9th Ave b/t 15th & 16th St) and at the NYC FoodFilm Festival Saturday from 12PM-10PM under the Brooklyn Bridge.

51% off Cupcakexpress

2010-06-22T17:40:00.002-04:00

I have never heard of Cupcakexpress, a cupcake delivery service, but they are offering $82 worth of cupcakes for $40. Which seems like a great deal...if you were planning on spending $82 on cupcakes. They are 4 bucks a piece, or $10-12 for a dozen, so maybe it wouldn't be so hard to spend so much.

Get the deal here. Once purchased the offer is good till June 25, 2011. You must order your cupcakes 24 hours in advance. Fee applies for deliveries outside Manhattan. Deal applies to regular cupcakes only, not minis.

Free Ice Cream from Ben & Jerry's Today

2010-06-22T15:04:00.004-04:00

Via Pulse JFK.

As part of their NYC Ice Cream Treat Giveaway, Ben & Jerry's will be giving away FREE ice cream at Washington Square Park between 4-5PM today.

Sign the Petition Against the New Food Truck Bill

2010-06-21T14:46:00.003-04:00

Via NYC, Style, & a Little Cannoli.

If you haven't heard, there is a bill that would effectively make it impossible for food trucks to operate in the city. If a truck gets 3 parking tickets, they are out of business.

So sign the petition, like the Facebook page, and go to Councile Woman Lappin's website or Council Woman Karen Koslowitz's website and let them know what you think.

Some food trucks that sell sweets include Cupcake Stop, Dessert Truck, Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, Street Sweets, and the Treats Truck.

Looking for even more food trucks? Check out this useful site!

New York City Wine and Food Festival

2010-06-21T14:17:00.002-04:00

Via Always Hungry NY.

What: New York City Wine & Food Festival

When: October 7th-10th, 2010

Where: Locations vary

Cost: Prices vary

Even though the event doesn't start till October, your going to want to get your tickets NOW because the events sell out fast (some already have!). To see a list of all the events, go here.

And here are the sweet events at the NYC Wine & Food Festival:

-The New York Times Presents Breville's Milk and Cookies hosted by Martha Stewart: 10-09-2010 10:00 AM, $40

- Kids Get Cooking! From Farm to Cone - Ice Cream Making with Seth McEachron of Battenkill Valley Creamery!: 10-09-2010 2:00 PM, $25

- Godiva Chocolatier presents SWEET sponsored by Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa and Perrier-Jouët hosted by Duff Goldman and Sandra Lee: 10-09-2010 9:00 PM, $175

- Master Baking Class with Ernesto Gonzalez at Del Posto: Part of Meatpacking Local presented by The Corcoran Group: 10-10-2010 10:00 AM, $80

- Dive Into Godiva with Anthony Giglio: Lifestyle Wine Seminars and Cocktail Clinics hosted by Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure: 10-10-2010 2:00 PM, $85

- Adam Richman Whole Foods Market Culinary Demonstration presented by KitchenAid: 10-10-2010 4:30 PM, $40

OK, so maybe that last one doesn't have anything to do with pastries specifically, but its probably there because I have a huge crush on Adam Richman. Yeah, probably.

Brooklyn Day of Desserts

2010-06-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

Via The City Sweet Tooth.

What: Brooklyn Day of Desserts- There will be a variety of desserts including gourmet, vegan and artistic desserts. Feed your appetite while giving back!

When: June 27th from 12PM-4PM

Where: Sanders Studio
525 Waverly Ave,
Brooklyn, NY

Cost: $35

For more info contact 631-833-3152 or info@lulunnevents.com. This is a fundraiser for Lakay Legal Services, and NPO in Brooklyn that gives free legal aid to low income communities.

Lee, Lee's Bakery is Back Open this Weekend

2010-06-19T13:39:00.003-04:00

Via Harlem Bespoke.

Lee, Lee's Bakery
283 West 118th Street (between Frederick Douglass Boulevard/8th Avenue and St. Nicholas Avenue)
917-493-6633

Late last month the owner of Lee's announced he was closing due to a lack of foot traffic, but an outpouring of community support has him reconsidering that decision. He is open this weekend, so go check the place out!

Related posts: Lee, Lee's Bakery is Closing

Vegan Divas Launch at Butterfield Market

2010-06-18T14:30:00.003-04:00

Via Grub Street NY.

Camillo Sabella, a former baker at Babycakes, is the new pastry chef for Vegan Divas, a new line of desserts being offered at Butterfield Market & François Chocolate bar. They have cupcakes, cookies, muffins, scones and brownies (click the Grub St. article for full menu).

Jell-O Mold Competition in Brooklyn

2010-06-18T13:50:00.002-04:00

Via Fork in the Road.

What: The Second-Annual Jell-O Mold Competition

When: June 26th, 6-10PM

Where: The Gowanus Studio Space
166 7th Street (Between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
gss.jellomold@gmail.com

Cost: FREE (suggested donations welcome)

From the event site:
Competitors will battle it out for mold supremacy in the following categories:
- Creativity
- Aesthetics
- Structural/sculptural ingenuity
- Edibility/culinary appeal
- Best use and showcase of Jell-O

A crack panel of respected judges will announce the winners at 8pm on the day of the event--and audience members have the opportunity to vote for People's Choice.

Designers will compete for a grand prize package including $400 in cash, a feature on Make: Online and Craft websites, a spot for their Jell-O creation in the 2010 Last Supper Festival, a slice of pie and coffee from Four and Twenty Blackbirds bakery, and more!

Kelso beer and Jell-O shots will be served. Doors at 6pm. Music by DJ Allied Master Computer till 10pm.

This Weeks Sweet Reviews

2010-06-18T13:08:00.006-04:00

Eat it: Four and Twenty Blackbirds

Serious Eats: Almond Butter Lover at Moomah

Fork in the Road: Bouchon Bakery's Nutter Butter

Lunch Studio: Mochi & Taro at Fay Da

The Wandering Eater: Dessert at Ledoyen

Cherry Patter: Brooklyn Croissant Taste Off

Always Hungry NY: Cake Balls at BabyCakes NYC

The Scoop on Cones: Chikalicious Dessert Club

A Cake Bakes in Brooklyn: Layer Cake -A Fine Wine

Blondie & Brownie: Sweet Treats Truck

NYC Tastes: Everything Frosted- Chinatown Cupcakes

Fork in the Road: Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream at Lulu & Mooky's

Who Ate the Big Apple: Sweet Revenge

NYC, Style, & a Little Cannoli: Minamoto Kitchoan in Midtown West

Midtown Lunch: Koryodang Makes a Great Shaved Ice

Serious Eats: Apple Strudels at Wolfgang Steakhouse and Caffe Falai

Serious Eats: Dessert at Má Pêche

Serious Eats: Tart Normandy at Margot Patisserie

Lunch Studio: Maple Walnut Coffee Cake at Village Tart

Serious Eats: Dessert at Savoy

Serious Eats: Espresso Mousse at Black Hound

NYC Foodie: Dessert at Ilili

Under the 7 The Roosevelt Avenue Project: Shaved Ice at Tropika

The Feed: Ice Cream Sandwich Rundown

Metromix: Another Ice Cream Sandwich Rundown

Fork in the Road: The Meatball Shop's Ice Cream Sandwiches

Fork in the Road: Superb Glazed Donut at Brooklyn's Donut Shoppe

Grub Street NY: Cereal Milkshakes from a Truck in Breezy Point, Queens

Fork in the Road: SCRATCHbread's Shortbread

The Wandering Eater: A Chocoholic’s Dream: A Day with La Maison du Chocolat Factory Tour & Pastry Tasting with Gilles Marchal

Miss Softee Is Open

2010-06-18T12:17:00.002-04:00

Via Midtown Lunch.

She's open and she's got homemade baked goods! For her current location follow her on Twitter.

Baking Classes at The Institute of Culinary Education

2010-06-18T11:34:00.008-04:00

Original photo can be found here.

The Institute of Culinary Education
50 West 23rd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)
New York, N.Y.

Truffles Truffles Truffles: June 19th, 6-10:30PM. $110

2-Day Creative Cookie Design: June 21st & 22nd, 10AM-3PM both days. $275

Best and Easiest Chocolate Desserts: June 22nd, 10AM-2:30PM. $115

Chocolate Chip Cookie Class: June 22nd, 10AM-2PM. $95

Biscotti Unlimited: June 25th, 6-10:30PM. $105

2-Day Candy Workshop: June 25th, 6-10PM both days. $220

For even more classes, go here.

$1 Cupcakes at Billy's Bakery

2010-06-18T11:27:00.003-04:00

Original photo can be found here.

Via Eater.

Billy's Bakery
75 Franklin Street (between Broadway and Church Street)
Phone: 212-647-9958

On June 20th & 21st Billy's Bakery will be offering $1 cupcakes to celebrate the first anniversary of their Tribeca location.

Best Chocolate Cake in the World Opens

2010-06-17T19:01:00.000-04:00

Via The Feed & Grub Street NY.

Best Chocolate Cake in the World
55A Spring St (between Lafayette and Mulberry Sts)
(212-343-2253)

Yep, that is the name of the bakery. This is the first American location of a Brazil based chain. They will also serve Counter Culture coffee and Il Laboratorio del Gelato.

From Grub Street: Bras's "best chocolate cake in the world" is actually three cakes of varying sweetness: a sugary cake made with 53 percent cocoa, a semisweet made with 70 percent, and — for those adventurous of palate — a bitter, zero-sugar version that's touted as being lower in calories. All are variations on a recipe made "without flour or baking powder ... a confection made from a top-of-the-line Belgian chocolate mousse," which from pictures appears to be swirled together with meringue.

Takahachi Bakery Opens

2010-06-17T19:00:00.004-04:00

Via Tribeca Citizen.

Takahachi Bakery
25 Murray Street
NY, NY

The bakery will have the usual pastries as well as soup, salads, sandwiches and homemade ice cream.

Update: More photos at Midtown Lunch & Serious Eats.

Vegan Cafe The Little Bird Opens

2010-06-17T19:00:00.001-04:00

Via EV Grieve.

The Little Bird
182 Avenue B

This is the first commercial bakery for Troccoli, a wholesaler that supplied baked goods to local stores. In time they would like to expand their menu to include small plates, beer and wine- all vegan.

Cupcake Picnic Coverage

2010-06-14T18:17:00.003-04:00

Saturday was the Cupcakes Take the Cake Cupcake Picnic in Central Park. 100 people RSVP'd, but only about 40 showed up. Apparently the forecast of rain after 6PM was enough to scare more than half of the people into not coming out for an event that ended at 4PM. Wusses.

But the people who did show up were awesome, and there were lots of homemade and store bought cupcakes!

There were sangria cupcakes made by Nibbles by Nora. They were very good, with a very unique taste.

Cupcakes by Cupcake Cafe.

To the left: Lemon and blueberry cupcakes by Cupcakes by Joy.

Candy cupcakes! There were Milky Ways and another candy inside the cupcakes.

These are my apple pie cupcakes, in their usual mode of transport: a pizza box. The photo was taken by CTTC and can be found here. Ignore how ugly they look, I promise that they taste great ;)

And then, there was chocolate wine.

And jazz music too! A really nice coincidence. The band is called The Park Foundation, but that name will most likely change soon. The guy on the drums had four of my cupcakes, I was very flattered.

I also met a sweet couple from Long Island, the wife Jamie is a self-described cupcake enthusiast with a website- Creative Cupcake Recipes.

There were lots of extra cupcakes (way more than we had last year), so many of us were wandering around the park, convincing people to take some (how I met the band). One couple who took some of my cupcakes happened to be from London- my first international tasters! I was very happy they liked em.

There are some more pictures up on the CTTC Meetup group and on their Flickr. Sign up so you know about next years picnic!

Bayside Dessert Tasting and Lecture Today

2010-06-11T08:26:00.002-04:00

Via Eating in Translation.

What: Its So Tasty, Too

When: Friday, June 11, 7PM-???

Where: Bayside Historical Society
208 Totten Ave., Bayside, Queens

Cost: $10 for members, $15 for general public. Call 718-352-1548 for reservations

Join the happy, peppy people for this "discussion about women and food inspired by a 1920s cookbook by the Bayside Woman’s Club. The lecture will be followed by a sampling of desserts from the book.

$15 for Sweet Sights Tour

2010-06-11T06:02:00.003-04:00

From the Buy With Me website, where you can get the deal:

Ahoy NY Tours & Tasting, known for their unique, ethnic food tours and their knack for finding the best bites in NYC, brings you the ultimate dessert tour.

For $15 you’ll get one ticket for Ahoy NY Tours and Tasting Sweet Sights walking tour on the Upper West Side ($30 value). You’ll savor the best chocolate chip cookies in NYC, cream puffs from Japan, delectable gelato, hand crafted chocolates free from preservatives and artificial flavors, plus much more!

Ahoy NY Tours and Tasting founder and tour guide Alana Hove will enlighten you with the history of the shops and the neighborhood, while you stroll along tasting treats from hidden dessert gems. At the end of your tour, you’ll join your guide at a popular NYC restaurant to taste their famous dessert. (This last stop is included in the cost of the tour, but all other sweet purchases are not; on average you’ll spend an additional $20 unless you have way better willpower than us!)

The Sweet Sights tour runs on selected days all summer long (rain or shine) and lasts about 2.5 hours, so you can check their schedule to book your date. Grab everyone you know with a sweet tooth (um, everyone) since you can buy up to four vouchers (your voucher will serve as your ticket).

Details
• Limit four vouchers per person.
• Please schedule tour 1 week in advance by email.
• No cancellations permitted.
• Please consult Ahoy NY Tours and Tasting for any dietary needs.
• Tour operates on a “pay-as-you-go” basis; any additional purchases on the tour are not included with this voucher.
• Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions.
• Voucher not valid until day after purchase.
• Voucher expires 08/31/2010

This Weeks Sweet Reviews

2010-06-11T05:41:00.003-04:00

Cookie Madness: Favorite Blueberry Desserts

Serious Eats: Matcha Box

Serious Eats: Pecan-Cranberry Loaf at Pain D'Avignon

Bionic Bites: I Heart Doughnuts Only at Doughnut Plant

The Cupcake Gang: Tulu’s Gluten-Free Bakery

Blondie & Brownie: Twice Fried Cherry Pies Return at Chip Shop!

Fork in the Road: New Pretzel M&M's Are Genius

NYC Tastes: Cake Truffles at the Milk Bar

Always Hungry NY: Churros at Barmarché

Midtown Lunch: Your Ice Cream Guide to Midtown East

Serious Eats: The Good Batch, Stroopwafels at the Brooklyn Flea

Life is Delicious: Max Brenner

Blondie & Brownie: Grapenut Ice Cream is Back at the Prospect Park Uncle Louie G's!

Lunch Studio: Oatmeal Raisin Cookie from City Bakery

Cakespy: The Red Velvet Cake Shake

Life with Food and Drink: Grom

Cherrypatter: The Village Tart

Blondie & Brownie: Four and Twenty Blackbirds

Serious Eats: Chocolate Mousse at Northern Spy Food Co.

Life with Food and Drink: Village Tart

The City Sweet Tooth: Inside Limelight Marketplace!

The Scoops on Cones: Raw, vegan ice cream that doesn’t quite hit the mark at One Lucky Duck

Restaurant Girl: New York's Most Prized Pies

Fork in the Road: Bouchon Bakery's Nutter Butter