(Photo by Amanda: Dessert Truck Works)
A few weeks ago, my friend Amanda (from Kevin and Amanda) wrote me an e-mail to let me know she was going to be in New York City for a blogging event (and meeting Bobby Flay!). She said she had some free time on the Sunday and would love to meet up for brunch and a little bakery hopping. How could I say no to that?
Yesterday she and I stuffed ourselves silly with some of the best food that New York City has to offer. I’d like to say that I (the New Yorker) set the agenda and took her (the girl from Huntsville, Alabama) to all these wonderful eateries, but Amanda had done her homework and I was along for the ride. I think my only contribution to the day was navigating us through the subway.
We started at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery (which is totally hidden on the 3rd floor of the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle). The cases were filled with beautiful French confections, but Amanda told me that the vanilla macaroons were the best. Ever. We got one of each macaroon (including my favorite, the Peanut Butter and Jelly version) and also the Pain au Chocolat Trois (my least favorite). The vanilla macaroon was perfect in its simplicity. The center tasted like sweetened vanilla butter. I will definitely go back.
(Photo by Amanda: Macaroons and Pain au Chocolat Trois at Bouchon Bakery)
Next stop, Bar Boulud. Having recently moved to the Upper West Side, I had checked out Chowhound for the best brunch places in the area. Bar Bouloud was mentioned several times, but it was Amanda who suggested we go there. And who also told me that their Croque Monsieur had been featured on “The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Brunch” by Frank Bruni. Firmly of the belief that a runny egg makes everything better, we ordered a Croque Madame and an appetizer plate of Brioche French Toast. It’s all heavenly. But I was stuffed. Do we stop? No, we powered on.
(Photos by Amanda: Croque Madame and Brioche French Toast at Bar Boulud)
As we paid the bill, Amanda scrolled through a list of possibilities on her phone and we settled on Dessert Truck Works. It was a bit of a hike, but she said it would be worth it. I then made my one contribution to the day – getting us from the Upper West Side to the Lower East Side by way of subway (and I didn’t even do that all too well) but it was worth the trek. Stuffed though I was, this was the highlight of the day. We ordered Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding with Bacon Custard Sauce, Goat Cheese Cheesecake with a Rosemary Caramel Sauce and Blackberries, more macaroons and the show stopper of the day: Warm Brioche Donut Squares (one filled with Nutella and the other with Vanilla Custard). I cannot tell you how subliminal these donuts were. I owe Amanda my first born for bringing them into my life.
(Photos by Amanda: Desserts at Dessert Truck Works)
Next time you find yourself in New York, check out one or two of these places. Or e-mail me and I’ll give you a whole load more. Because New York is all about the food! And the friends.
I’m still scratching my head and wondering why I didn’t get invited to this crawl. But you said right in your post that next time I was in NY I could e-mail you. I’m hoping for more than suggestions, dear. A repeat tour would be amazing. You know my weakness for donuts.
I loved reading this post! Thanks for sharing everything 🙂
Love the sweet friends photo complete with darling yellow sweaters. Please get your crack research department busy on a brioche donut recipe. I’ll do my part by trying a Gourmet (January 1998) recipe for Viennese Jelly Donuts using brioche dough.
Mom, we are definitely going to all those places! And Tina, let us know how those turn out our send us the recipe!!! And yes, the yellow sweater thing is funny. Totally unplanned. But I think we were both feelin’ springy.
Oh, I could just curl up into this post and take a nap! I love NYC food crawls. It’s been toooooo long. Thanks for the share! You two are so cute and deserve a spring sweater after the winter you’ve had!
What is the going rate for this tour? I’ll be in NY in July as you know. 😉
Looks like a BLAST! You girls are adorable in yellow.
Aimee! Come early – we will do all that and then some 😀
So much fun and delicious as always!
Wow what a great sounding day, I may have to take you up on the offer of suggestions of places to eat, in September my husband and I are coming to NYC (from London) for a couple of days and we’re (hopefully) staying on the Upper West Side and I’m always on the lookout for great food recommendations!
I would like one of everything you all had! Too bad I won’t be in NY for who knows how long. I shall just have to dream. And save this post so that I can refer to it next time I am there.
Thanks for posting so I could vicariously enjoy the wonderful food!
Oh, how fun! The desserts all look incredible. Have you been to Chikalicious? They have a delicious dessert tasting. Worth a stop!
Yay, the Viennese Jelly Doughnuts were delicious! I’d never made brioche, rarely fry anything- but you ThreeManyCooks inspired me. The recipe I used is not online, but just make your favorite bricohe dough :). When ready to fry, roll the refrigerated dough to 1/4 in and cut into 2-3 inch circles; put a small blob of jam in the center of half the circle, brush the edges with egg wash, top with the other circles, pressing gently just to close them. Loosely cover and let rise until nearly doubled (45 min), then fry them up (about 2 min a side- they get golden and puffy).
Joanne Chang’s Vanilla Cream-Filled Doughnuts are made with a brioche dough that is filled after frying. Haven’t tried them yet, but may need to soon since Dessert Truck Works is 2500 miles from me.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vanilla-Cream-Filled-Doughnuts-364349
Oh wow, thank you Tina! I think we may have to try our hand at these when we get together this weekend. You have, in turn, inspired us! 🙂
Sounds like you had so much fun! I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little jealous, haha. You look gorgeous in that photo, and how cute that you are both wearing yellow…spring must be in the air! 🙂