 Savvy’s back! And with my grand return come new reviews, new recipes, and brand new digs. That’s right, kids: I’ve moved on up to the Upper West Side. Oh, it feels fabulous… the peace, the quiet, the anti-midtown-ness of it all… And with my move complete and Ikea hajj accomplished, there’s just one thing left to do in this strange new town: Eat. Everything.
Buckle (or rather, unbuckle) your seatbelts: We’re kicking off Uptown blogging with the best of the best and the tastiest of the tastiest. I am, of course, speaking of the greatest cookie I’ve ever devoured in my two decades of life on this planet: the chocolate chip walnut cookie at Levain Bakery... 14 Comments  Life has been a bit hectic in Savvyland, but never too hectic to stop in at my new favorite French pastry shop in Chelsea. Now, if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’m serious about my pastries… very serious. Don’t give me that rubbery, preservative-filled Starbucks excuse for a croissant, and don’t even think about the pre-packaged, mass-manufactured, cloyingly sweet thing you call a “danish”. No. Give me the real stuff and give it to me straight. If I’m gonna murder myself to tears at the gym all week, it better be for a damn good reason.
My friends, the monstrously large, expertly crafted, freshly baked almond croissant at Madeleine Patisserie is one damn good reason… Wafels & Dinges Is Back! 03/12/2010
 After a gourmet food truck dry spell, Wafels & Dinges has finally decided to hit up the Columbus Circle lunch hour. And lucky for me, there was no line! For those who aren’t familiar, Wafels & Dinges is a gourmet Belgian wafel truck that serves up two varieties of wafel and a zillion different dinges.
Wafel = Waffle Dinges = Sh*t you put on your waffle Like you needed another reason to move to NYC… GETE's Whiskey-Maple Sour Cream Apple Pie 02/24/2010
 Need I say more? Oh, I will anyway…
I happily revisited Good Enough To Eat last night, my go-to UWS spot for veg-friendly American home cookin’ (full restaurant review here). It was excellent weather for this sort of food – rain, plummeting temperature, overall yuckiness… a warm brioche roll, a filling entrée and excellent company seemed to be the cure-all. As anticipated, dinner was delicious, chitchat was delightful, and bizarre cow décor was in full effect … but the one regret I’ve always had when leaving GETE was being too darn stuffed for their homemade deserts. There they sat: sweet potato pie, strawberry shortcake, pear-walnut tart… quietly taunting me as I entered and exited the shop. I’ll get you next time! I’d vow through clenched teeth. Well, this time was “next time” and I came prepared. With a precious corner of foodspace reserved for a sweet treat, I raced to the dessert counter, pressed my nose against the glass and began to salivate…  Yes, I realize the audacity of this statement. As a New Yorker, I’ve consumed my fair share of bagels- hard bagels, bland bagels, tiny bagels, pricey bagels…I assure you, it hasn’t been easy. My quest for a perfectly baked dough-ball has many a time lead to disappointment, rage and despair.
“Isn’t this place supposed to be bagel capital of the world?!” I would cry. It wasn’t till my 2nd year in the city that I discovered the Cave of Wonders that is Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Co... Crepes Galore At Artopolis Café 01/25/2010
 In a world of Egg McMuffins and defrosted breakfast burritos, it’s comforting to know a little shop on Amsterdam is doing breakfast right. Artopolis Café on 113th street is an adorable getaway from the morning rush, serving up all sorts of handmade crepes, pies and gelato.
I recently stopped in for a Saturday brunch, though the entirety of the Upper West Side beat me to it. The place was packed! The usual wait during brunching hours is anywhere from a half hour to an hour- so imagine my surprise when it only took 10 minutes to get a cozy table for two. Not that I minded waiting by the glass cases of expertly crafted cakes and chocolate dipped cookies… HOLEY CREAM, BATMAN! 01/08/2010
 photo courtesy eatingintranslation @ flickr It’s official! Holey Cream: Outrageous Ice Cream and Bake Shop, on 53rd & 9th, is open for business. You might remember my gushing, wistful post a few weeks back about the place- so naturally, I had to follow up and get me some doughnuts asap.
As giddy as I was to barge through the door, I must admit their look was a bit off-putting. I guess I was expecting more of a Doughnut Plant, “mom’s kitchen” kind of thing- an aesthetic customary to Hell’s Kitchen and the Village. Shiny, super stylized and youthful, Holey Cream unfortunately reminded me of the Baskin Robins/ Dunkin’ Donuts joint franchise. Perhaps they’re aiming to create an easily duplicable image in hopes of going national? Whatever the reasoning, I was willing to look past it for the sake of my doughnut craving... The Best Baklava At Poseidon Bakery 01/06/2010
 Poseidon pastry photo courtesy alwayshungryny.com Poseidon Bakery is my new favorite pastry shop. Hands down, case closed. Almonds, honey, spinach, feta, handmade Phyllo dough… I think I’m secretly Greek. I’d like to say I “discovered” this little shop- but after 87 years and 4 generations of established success, I finally poke my head in.
Poseidon Bakery is a true fixture of “old New York”- a realization of the classic American dream. It’s comforting to see shops like these flourish in a world of venti soy no-whip vanilla lattes and headset-bearing, superficially enthused employees. The owner and her family even live upstairs, making this den of Greek goodness an extension of their home. It’s also the only bakery in the United States that makes their Phyllo by hand. Impressed yet?... Antique Café Is Adorable 12/28/2009
 UPDATE 12/20/10: Unfortunately, the FIT branch of Antique Café hasn't been open all semester! I’ve never had a bad cup of coffee at Antique Café, located right on the FIT campus at 27th between 7th and 8th aves. It’s my go-to coffee shop before those brutal AM classes and a perfect detour while strolling around Chelsea. Though Antique café has a larger, more sleek shop on 26th and 6th, I personally love the cozy, familiar feeling that the 27th street shop exudes. The narrow café reminds me of an old house- perhaps someone’s den- with mismatched upholstered furniture, dark wood and quirky decorations throughout. Antique café is packed with both students and local residents during the semester, so the place is prone to long lines- but it’s worth it. They have a zillion delicious well-priced baked goods and their homemade croissants are perfection. I’ve relaxed there plenty of times on a comfy chair with my laptop (free WiFi) and found it to be a far better study environment than the school library. And although the café does serve lunch and dinner entrees, I’d steer clear- only because that’s where things start getting pricy. But if you’re in the neighborhood and need a yummy pick-me-up, the 27th street Antique Café is the place to go. Christmas Hangover? Amy's Bread. 12/26/2009
 photos: amysbread.com & cherrypatter.com. After hitting the Eggnog a bit too hard last night, you’re probably in need of some good ol’ carbohydrates to soak up that excess rum and get on with your day. Enter: Amy’s Bread. Founded in 1992 in a brightly painted shop in Hell’s Kitchen (9th between 46th & 47th), Amy’s Bread bakes up outstandingly tasty breads and pastries at terrifically affordable prices. And with locations in Chelsea Market and the West Village, nearly everyone can snatch up some hearty Potato Onion Dill bread or perfectly tangy Sourdough.
But don’t just come for the Challah (theirs makes a mean French Toast, by the way)- Amy’s Bread prepares everything from Orange Butter Cookies to gooey Cinnamon Raisin Twists. And such variety! The chefs seem to do no wrong as they concoct what they please each day… |
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