Pumpkin: Macaroon

I love October because I think it gives me a license to eat all things pumpkin.  Cookies, candy, drinks, muffins, bread.  Anything.  So lets get started with the pumpkin items!


I just started out on my pumpkin eating adventure today.  I was supposed to make Attempt #2 to Lauderee for the macaroons today (look back at Attempt #1 in September).  But the threat of rain stopped AK and me in our tracks, and we just walked a few streets to Macaroon Cafe. 


So cute!  I mean, I've been here before for lunch.  But was reminded how cute it is.  And they had pumpkin macaroons.  So of course I had to get one.  Just the right cookie and amount of filling.  Not too sticky or gummy.  So doubly delightful treat today:  pumpkin AND the start of our official macaroon tasting adventure (not that I wasn't already on one, I will always eat one given the opportunity.  


What I'm really waiting for is the pumpkin donut at Doughnut Plant.  Please make one for me.

Zoe's Chocolates

In September I was at my friend LC's for Sarah's bridal shower.  I was lucky enough to be there when she opened the box of chocolates she received as a thank you gift.  I proceeded to taste a few from Zoe's Chocolates of Waynesboro, PA and Frederick, MD.


There is really nothing I have against any chocolate.  Sweet and creamy, salted, filled....I'll pretty much eat them all.  Too dark and I'm not as excited, but I'll eat it.  

But Zoe's were really very very good.  I honestly think I could have devoured the entire box.  Zoe comes from a long line of Greek chocolatiers, and the business is still family run.  Sarah has a special connection to Waynesboro as this is where her husband-to-be hails from.  You can find them in Whole Foods in MD and select stores in other states.  As a side note, I like how Whole Foods will feature local brands.  Not that I've ever bought a Mast Brothers chocolate bar from Brooklyn (where they literally sailed the cocoa beans from South America on a sail boat, I'm not kidding).


She makes lots of yummy flavors like pomegranate, honeycomb and orange flower.  Thank you, Sarah!  I will see you soon for the big day!

Brazilian Treat: Alfajor Havanna

It's hard for me to pass up a treat.  So when Mariana, my coworker, returned from Brazil and came around with these dulce de leche cookies, my response was "yes please!".  These are traditional, with the meringue coating.  But it's a layer of dulce de leche sandwiched between two soft cookies.  Dulce de leche is slowly heated sweetened milk.  Heated to the point where it becomes caramelized and oh so good.  Try one if you have the chance.

Epicerie Boulud: A French Treat for the Afternoon

We were on our way to Moneyball and needed something sweet after lunch.  So we passed by Epicerie Boulud, Daniel Boulud's patisserie on the Upper West Side.  M had the Blueberry Financier, a small cake that was super moist.  I tried, so I know.  I had the Chamonix, named after the French town.  It's a small, glazed cake with fruit in it.  Very tasty.  I loved the idea that you could get a little treat and take it to the standing bar. There were a few standing tables inside, and a few more outside (where you can also sit for service).  I'm not sure the standing bar works well everywhere, but love it when I find one in New York.

I do love my chocolate desserts, but the tarts looked amazing.  Will definitely have to come back again.  And I'd love to try one of his 12 other restaurants, including the Michelin 3-star Daniel.  I'll warm up with one of the sanwiches here first.


Website:  http://www.danielnyc.com/epicerie.html
Location:  1900 Broadway at 64th Street

Cupcakes, Three in One Day

This past weekend was my Shop for Success event, where the YES! organization hosted a shopping experience (with nails and makeovers) to benefit Dress for Success.  As part of this, I was tasked with organizing the pick up of cupcakes.  So I had 3 kinds in 1 day.  

Ok, so we actually picked up Tonnie's minis on Friday.  But I tried it on Saturday.  Tonnie's is bit of a "design your own" cupcake kind of place on 122nd street and Lenox Ave.  A bit of a field trip for A and me.  I had to leave her in the car so I didn't get towed, but told her not to die as I left her with the windows up because I couldn't figure out how to turn the car back on to get the windows down.  This is what you get for the non-driver who picks a different zipcar every time (this time it was the red Prius).  Anyways, at Tonnie's, you pick a cupcake, add a frosting and some toppings.  The place was hopping at 3 pm. We picked up a generous donation of 250 mini cupcakes and headed back to midtown.

Then there was our good old friend, Magnolia Bakery, who donated a few dozen.  This time I sent one of my volunteers to make the pick up.  These were really tasty.  I think the minis are better than the full size.  Moist cake and the right amount of frosting.


Finally, there were Fanny Cakes that were individually boxed.  I am assuming they have some sort of shelf life of more than a day.  Cute, not as tasty, though.  Cake was a little dry and the frosting was not frosting like I like it.  


Lots of cake, that's for sure.  What I really want is a nice Carrot Cake Cupcake with cream cheese frosting....mmm...

Paletas from La Newyorkina

We walk the High Line a lot.  For a leisurely stroll on the weekends, or on the way back from the gym.  So I see quite a few people eating La Newyorkina's Paletas (Mexican Ice Pops).  More than just a few. 


After an entire summer of no pops, I figured having a visitor in town was a good reason to explore and get one.

Monday's Flavors

Fanny Selling Pops

According to Fanny's website (she's La Newyorkina), paleta is from the word "palo" which means stick. She makes some really neat flavors.  We went for one Passion Fruit and one Tamarind.  It just sounded interesting, so had to get it.


They are very flavorful.  You know when you get a cheap pop and you suck the juice out and it's just tasteless ice left? Not here, it's all juicy.  She makes Hibiscus, Coconut, Key Lime...

I was told to sprinkle a little of the sweet chili on it to enhance the flavor, so of course I did.


La Newyorkina is all over the city, so catch her while you can!
Website:  http://lanewyorkina.com

Macaroons at Laduree: Attempt #1

Lauduree, the premier French macaroon shop in Paris opened it's first North American outpost on Madison Ave just last week.  The lines were long Day One.  And when we were in the neighborhood on Saturday I suggested we just run by since we were only 2 blocks away.  Run by.  Run in.  Just sample a few.  No way, not with this line.  So we longingly looked in from the sidewalk.


I love the couple at the front of the line to get in.

So, will try again since the office is not that far.  And I'll provide the full report on French macaroons.  Of course, we had the discussion that they all taste good.  Which I can't disagree with, frosting sandwiched between meringue cookies is great, no matter where it's from.


Until then, here are macaroon posts from earlier this year.  As you can see, I do try and sample them around town:  
April 2011:  Macaroon Cafe on 59th Street
January 2011:  Bisous Caio on the Lower East Side