| Greenwich Village | Description |
|---|---|
Cookies  | |
| Max Brenner | Max Brenner is the creation of Oded Brenner and Max Fichtman that started in 1996 in Israel. It started out as a small-chained chocolate shop but eventually expanded to 60 locations in six countries after being purchased by Strauss Group Ltd in 2001. Brenner stayed on as a consultant to help build the brand but was eventually sued by Strauss after opening a shop of his own called Little Brown Chocolate Bakery and Coffee. Brenner ultimately signed a non-compete agreement where he could not work with chocolate for five years. He returned to the world of chocolate in 2018 by opening Blue Stripes Cacao Shop which is a mere one-minutes walk from Max Brenner. The chocolate restaurant that is Max Brenner is a very enjoyable experience. The restaurant boasts a large food menu with fun desserts and beverages. Its spacious Willy-Wonka atmosphere is like no other in NYC. From its chocolate drinks and chocolate pizza to its chocolate store it's a chocolate lovers paradise. You'll also find chocolate syringe shots, their patent Hugmugs and the Alice-in-Wonderland inspired Alice cups. But if you're here for cookies then head straight for the counter and grab one of their monstrous six-ounce cookies. These beauts are tasty and one of the largest cookies you'll find in the Concrete Jungle. |
| Ben's Cookies | Helge Rubenstein opened Ben's Cookies in 1983 at the historic Covered Market in Oxford, England where it remains today. Rubenstein named the cookie shop after her son who is also depicted in the company logo. Rubenstein, the author of several cookbooks, was a chocolate enthusiast with a love for baking. At Ben's Cookies her passion is reflected in their cookies as they offer up a large variety of flavors (20) and they use chunks not chips in these little beauts. You'll find Ben's cookies to be incredibly moist and fluffy and each one measuring in at 4" and 2.75oz. When made fresh the dough virtually melts in your mouth while the flavor of the cookies isn't overwhelming. Ben's Cookies most popular flavors are the Dark Chocolate Chunk and Milk Chocolate Chunk but other delicious flavors include: Snickerdoodle, Lemon, Ginger and Dark Chocolate, Coconut and Orange and Milk Chocolate Chunk. |
| Insomnia Cookies | Cookie chain in NYC that delivers cookies and milk to your doorstep until 3 AM. Flavors include: Chocolate Chip, S'mores, White Chocolate, Snickerdoodle, Oatmeal Raisin, Sugar, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Mint, etc. Their cookies are good and about what you'd expect. They are soft, buttery, with good size. They aren't the best cookie in the city but definitely one that will quench your cookie craving. |
| DŌ | Kristen Tomlan quit her job as brand strategist in NYC and started DŌ in 2014. A dessert lover with a passion for baking, Tomlan started out selling her tasty treats online to establish interest and build a fanbase. Within months she had 20K followers and business was on the rise. In July 2017 she opened her first storefront and two-hour lines began to build. Now with over 200K followers on Instagram DŌ continues to satisfy thousands of sweet tooths daily. The cookie dough that Tomlan uses is in fact raw, however, to make the dough safe to eat she substitutes eggs with pasteurized eggs -- which are eggs slightly heated to kill bacteria. DŌ offers more than just cookie dough. You can order dough milkshakes as well as baked goods such as cookies and cupcakes. For raw cookie dough you can eat it however you want: on a cone, in a cup, bake it into a cookie or go all DŌlicious and make a dough sandwich out of your favorite cookies. DŌ flavors include: Cake Batter, Chocolate Chip, Salty and Sweet, Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Dream and Sugar Cookie to name a few. You'll also find vegan and gluten free options. My personal favorite is Gimme Smore. Its fluffier texture and multiple flavor profile gives it a unique taste. You'll find most flavors taste like, well, cookie dough. You'll enjoy the texture and quality of each, however, some flavors bring a little more life to the party but all offer a great nostalgic effect. |
| World’s Best Cookie Dough | The World's Best Cookie Dough opened its doors in December 2017. The all-computer-science team of co-founder Shameo Sufian and four friends created WBCD with the idea to re-create some of NYC's top treats with a cookie-dough twist and sell them under one roof. They sell Banana Pudding that was inspired by Magnolia. You'll find cheesecake that was inspired by Juniors. Milkshakes inspired by Black Tap. Cookie dough inspired by DŌ and large cookie-dough filled cookies inspired by Levain. The raw cookie dough is created just as DŌ created theirs: they use pasteurized eggs and pasteurized flour -- both of which require a heating method that kills harmful bacteria. The cookie dough tastes as you would expect: mixing-bowl good. The base of all their dough has a smooth, doughy texture that is sugary but not too sweet. They offer 15+ flavors that are sure to appeal to just about anyones palate. These flavors include: Cookie Dough Cheesecake, Banana Pudding, Vanilla Pudding, Snicker Doodle, Smore's, Brownie Batter, Chocolate Pretzel Fudge, Monster Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel and Fruity Pebbles to name a few. What you'll also find -- and the highlight of WBCD -- are their cookies. These perfectly-sized treats are center-filled with raw cookie dough giving the cookies an inflated appearance, with its contents bursting at the seams, one pierce of the cookie's armor will ooze deliciousness all over your mouth and hands. These cookies don't hold their shape well after the first bite but what you've unknowingly unwrapped is a glorified lava cake wrapped up in a cookie gift box. The ooey, gooey texture of WBCD's cookies are warm and sinfully delicious. Their flavors come in Apple Pie Stuffed Cookie, Birthday Cake Cookie Crisp, Brownie Batter Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie, Lucky Charms Treasure, Cookie and Cream, Chocolate Chip and Reese's Peanut Butter Puff Explosion to name a few. The flavors and concepts of their cookie dough is, if nothing else, nostalgic and creative. |
| Sweets By Chloe | Opening in September 2015, by Chloe is a vegan line established by Chloe Coscarelli. Coscarelli, who co-founded by Chloe with Samantha Wasser (the daughter of the large hospitality group Esquared's CEO), has found tremendous success with her baking and recipes including winning Cupcake Wars, being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, writing three cookbooks and starting the by Chloe restaurant chain. However, in July 2017 the relationship between Coscarelli and Esquared soured and Coscarelli was forced out of the company after an arbitrator determined that she was "negligent" towards the company's growth. Nevertheless, by Chloe is known for its fantastic vegan options including cupcakes, cookies and various other sweets. They also offer savory food options at their restaurant location. For this section, however, we're talking cookies -- and yes, they are vegan. If you're here for cookies then the first thing you're trying is their gigantic Cinnamon Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookie. This thin treat is flattened with a tortilla press, topped with semi-sweet chocolate chips and baked to perfection. The end result is a seven-inch caramelized vegan cookie that is sprinkled with sugar. It's distinctly delicious with a crispy texture and rich chocolate morsels that bring it all together. And if that's not enough, the cookie was highlighted on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate. You'll also find vegan Black and Whites -- a New York City staple -- and a smaller, more conventional Chocolate Chip Cookie. |
| Mille-Feuille Bakery | In 2011, French pastry chef and owner Olivier Dessyn left his job as a Software Engineer in France to start his own bakery in New York City -- and we're glad he did. Mille-Feuille is known for their top-notch croissants. In fact, they give lessons on how to make them. You'll find a variety of amazing French pastries in addition to some savory options. For this section, however, we're hunting for cookies. The top options here are Mille-Feuille's Diamond Cookies. These little chocolate shortbread's are sold in a box of 15 and rank among the top shortbread cookies I've ever had. Of course, you'll find a variety of macarons available. This is a French bakery after all. The macarons are all please the palate and very satisfying. |
| Blue Stripes Cacao Shop | Oded Brenner, the literal face of the Max Brenner logo, has returned from exile (his non-compete agreement) and opened Blue Stripes Cacao Shop. Brenner's new shop has shades of Max Brenner with its barrage of chocolate, unique cups and chocolate pizzas but the essence of culture is uniquely different. Written on cups, plates and gift boxes and around the shop are short texts Brenner wrote about his life for his daughter Nellie (nicknamed Tito) that ultimately became the inspiration for Blue Stripes Cacao Shop. The cacao fruit is also a highlight of Brenner's new location. He has created his menu so that each quality of the cacao fruit is incorporated into it. The cacao beans are used to make the chocolate. The pulp -- where the sweetness is found in the fruit -- is used as an ingredient. Brenner maxes (see what I did there?) out his cacao beans by giving customers a laundry list of chocolate creations. Nutella Swirl Buns, chocolate-drizzled soft pretzels, cakes and shakes are just a few truly scrumptious options on the menu. And let's not forget "Clouds," the chocolate tap that pours out a delicious chocolate mousse that is somewhere between chocolate milk and a shake. But for this section we're talking cookies. You won't find the behemoths you had at Max Brenner but you will find several good options that are baked to perfection and flavored to seduce. These options include... |
| Levain Bakery | Quite possibly the greatest cookie you will ever eat. These 6oz cookies have a golden, crispy outter shell with a perfected gooey center. There is a secret to how it's done that's why it's often replicated and never duplicated. The Chocolate Chip Walnut is the most popular but trust me ... the Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip is the game changer. It's the most intimate food experience you'll ever have. |
Cupcakes | |
| Baked by Melissa | Melissa Ben-Ishay started Baked by Melissa in 2008 after getting fired from her job. A 24-year-old Ben-Ishay showed up to work one day as an assistant media planner and got the ax. That defining moment in her life catapulted her into the mini-cupcake stratosphere. Her first store -- or pick-up window -- opened up in SoHo and now, more than a decade later, she has 14 stores in the NYC area and ships nationwide to all 50 states. These bite-sized treats are fantastic! Don't try and one-bite these little beauts -- they are made to dominate. One bite, melt in your mouth, swallow, cheesy grin, onto the next cupcake. They are small but extremely moist and full of flavor. Each one is like a little party in your mouth. With tons of flavors to choose from you won't have any trouble finding one you like. Popular flavors include: Tie Dye, Cookies & Cream, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Cookie Dough, Red Velvet and Chocolate Chip Pancake. There hasn't been a cupcake I didn't like from Baked by Melissa so cheat your heart out on these little nuggets. |
| Sweets By Chloe | Opening in September 2015, by Chloe is a vegan line established by Chloe Coscarelli. Coscarelli, who co-founded by Chloe with Samantha Wasser (the daughter of the large hospitality group Esquared's CEO), has found tremendous success with her baking and recipes including winning Cupcake Wars, being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, writing three cookbooks and starting the by Chloe restaurant chain. However, in July 2017 the relationship between Coscarelli and Esquared soured and Coscarelli was forced out of the company after an arbitrator determined that she was "negligent" towards the company's growth. Nevertheless, by Chloe is known for its fantastic vegan options including cupcakes, cookies and various other sweets. They also offer savory food options at their restaurant location. But here we're tackling cupcakes. Just like the pies and cakes, by Chloe offers some terrific cupcake options that please even the biggest carnivores. Let's be clear about vegan baked goods ... They do not use eggs (obviously), which helps the cake rise and gives them a lighter, fluffier texture. Vegan cakes are typically more dense because they lack certain ingredients. However, good vegan cakes do a great job of masking these differences that otherwise become too exposed at sub-par bakeries. Understanding vegan options will allow you to appreciate a well-done vegan treat. The by Chloe cupcake menu includes flavors such as Strawberry, PB+J, Red Velvet Rose, Banana Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Hummingbird, Lemon Raspberry, Chocolate and Vanilla. One of the most popular is the Chlostess Cupcake. It's a play on the famous chocolate Hostess cupcakes with the cream in the middle. The Chlostess Cupcake's esthetics are incredibly well done from its cream center to its looped swirls on top. The cake is moist with rich chocolate flavor. It's an easy crowd pleaser if you're stuck on the large variety of options. |
| Buttercup Bake Shop | If you like cupcake drama then here you go. Jennifer Appel was one of the original owners of Magnolia Bakery, which opened in 1996. Appel and co-owner Allysa Torey had become at odds over the expansion of the company. With tension building, Appel split in 1999 and opened Buttercup Bake Shop. Buttercup offers the same 1950's vibe as Magnolia with a similar menu. Buttercup's cupcake flavors include Apple Pie A-La-Mode, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Cookies n Cream, Lemon Cupcake, S'mores, Red Velvet and Spiced Carrot Cake to name a few. |
Cakes and Pies  | |
| Max Brenner | Max Brenner is the creation of Oded Brenner and Max Fichtman that started in 1996 in Israel. It started out as a small-chained chocolate shop but eventually expanded to 60 locations in six countries after being purchased by Strauss Group Ltd in 2001. Brenner stayed on as a consultant to help build the brand but was eventually sued by Strauss after opening a shop of his own called Little Brown Chocolate Bakery and Coffee. Brenner ultimately signed a non-compete agreement where he could not work with chocolate for five years. He returned to the world of chocolate in 2018 by opening Blue Stripes Cacao Shop which is a mere one-minutes walk from Max Brenner. The chocolate restaurant that is Max Brenner is a very enjoyable experience. The restaurant boasts a large food menu with fun desserts and beverages. Its spacious Willy-Wonka atmosphere is like no other in NYC. From its chocolate drinks and chocolate pizza to its chocolate store it's a chocolate lovers paradise. You'll also find chocolate syringe shots, their patent Hugmugs and the Alice-in-Wonderland inspired Alice cups. |
| Sweets By Chloe | Opening in September 2015, by Chloe is a vegan line established by Chloe Coscarelli. Coscarelli, who co-founded by Chloe with Samantha Wasser (the daughter of the large hospitality group Esquared's CEO), has found tremendous success with her baking and recipes including winning Cupcake Wars, being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, writing three cookbooks and starting the by Chloe restaurant chain. However, in July 2017 the relationship between Coscarelli and Esquared soured and Coscarelli was forced out of the company after an arbitrator determined that she was "negligent" towards the company's growth. Nevertheless, by Chloe is known for its fantastic vegan options including cupcakes, cookies and various other sweets. They also offer savory food options at their restaurant location. In this section we're talking vegan cakes and pies. For pies they have plenty. Apple, pecan, coconut banana cream, chocolate cream, peach and pumpkin. These pies are small but pack a ton of flavor -- impressing consumers from every diet universe. Even if you're not a coconut cream pie fan, their Coconut Banana Cream Pie has great consistency with a refreshing flavor. If you're in need of a vegan cake then dive right in. By Chloe offers up a variety of three-layered-cake options including Carrot Cake, Mocha Almond Fudge, Vanilla and Chocolate to name a few. These cakes are moist and loaded with flavor. Just like the pies, non-vegan eaters will be pleasantly surprised. |
| Mille-Feuille Bakery | In 2011, French pastry chef and owner Olivier Dessyn left his job as a Software Engineer in France to start his own bakery in New York City -- and we're glad he did. Mille-Feuille is known for their top-notch croissants. In fact, they give lessons on how to make them. On the occasion you may find the croissants to be a little dry, but most of my experiences have been positive. You'll find a variety of French pastries in addition to some savory options. But let's kick savory out the window. If you're here for cake then grab a slice (or the whole cake) of Galette Des Rois AKA King Cake. It's around in January or available for preorder. The cake is a flaky puff pastry filled with almond cream and a French custard cream called Frangipane (very popular among pastry chefs). It's not quite a cake but who cares when it's this good. You'll also find other varieties of cake including mille-feuille, chocolate praline cake, chocolate mousse and Lemon Vanilla Cheesecake to name a few. You'll find most of their pastries to be buttery and flakey. |
| Catmint Wheel Cake | Owners Nicole and Pio opened Catmint Wheel Cake in 2018. Wheel Cakes, also called Imagawayaki, are a Japanese-Taiwanese dessert commonly found at festivals or as street food. The name comes from its wheel shape and the word "Catmint" refers to the cakes being so good it will be like catnip for humans. The cakes are made with a waffle-like batter that is poured into a special round pan and grilled until crispy on the outside. The cakes are then filled with a variety of different filling, then sandwiched with another cake to complete the masterpiece. The cakes come in several flavors including Matcha Red Bean (the traditional flavor), Banana Chocolate, Vanilla Custard, Custard & Bubble, Tuna Corn & Cheese and Matcha Custard Chocolate. The most popular, and favorite among visitors, is the Vanilla Custard. The custard itself is made from actual vanilla bean that gives it a rich, enjoyable flavor. If you're feeling more savory then the Tuna Corn & Cheese is surprisingly superb. All of their cakes are made to order so you can expect a fresh and delicious Wheel Cake to be on your plate in about 10 minutes. And I'll add they are worth the wait. |
| Blue Stripes Cacao Shop | Oded Brenner, the literal face of the Max Brenner logo, has returned from exile (his non-compete agreement) and opened Blue Stripes Cacao Shop. Brenner's new shop has shades of Max Brenner with its barrage of chocolate, unique cups and chocolate pizzas but the essence of culture is uniquely different. Written on cups, plates and gift boxes and around the shop are short texts Brenner wrote about his life for his daughter Nellie (nicknamed Tito) that ultimately became the inspiration for Blue Stripes Cacao Shop. The cacao fruit is also a highlight of Brenner's new location. He has created his menu so that each quality of the cacao fruit is incorporated into it. The cacao beans are used to make the chocolate. The pulp -- where the sweetness is found in the fruit -- is used as an ingredient. Brenner maxes (see what I did there?) out his cacao beans by giving customers a laundry list of chocolate creations. Nutella Swirl Buns, chocolate-drizzled soft pretzels, cakes and shakes are just a few truly scrumptious options on the menu. And let's not forget "Clouds," the chocolate tap that pours out a delicious chocolate mousse that is somewhere between chocolate milk and a shake. But for this section we're talking cookies. You won't find the behemoths you had at Max Brenner but you will find several good options that are baked to perfection and flavored to seduce. These options include... |
Doughnuts  | |
| Mille-Feuille Bakery | In 2011, French pastry chef and owner Olivier Dessyn left his job as a Software Engineer in France to start his own bakery in New York City -- and we're glad he did. Mille-Feuille is known for their top-notch croissants. In fact, they give lessons on how to make them. You'll find a variety of amazing French pastries in addition to some savory options. |
| Sweets By Chloe | Opening in September 2015, by Chloe is a vegan line established by Chloe Coscarelli. Coscarelli, who co-founded by Chloe with Samantha Wasser (the daughter of the large hospitality group Esquared's CEO), has found tremendous success with her baking and recipes including winning Cupcake Wars, being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, writing three cookbooks and starting the by Chloe restaurant chain. However, in July 2017 the relationship between Coscarelli and Esquared soured and Coscarelli was forced out of the company after an arbitrator determined that she was "negligent" towards the company's growth. Nevertheless, by Chloe is known for its fantastic vegan options including cupcakes, cookies and various other sweets. They also offer savory food options at their restaurant location. If it's vegan doughnuts you seek then you've come to the right place. Just like their cupcakes, by Chloe's doughnut's are moist, flavorful and pleasantly surprising. The only option you're likely to find is the Earth Day Donut. It's an all chocolate doughnut coated with chocolate ganache and sprinkles. It does contain gluten. The doughnut is nice and moist and the ganache launches it into a chocolate paradise. |
Ice Cream  | |
| KITH Treats | KITH was founded by Ronnie Fieg, a prominent figure in the footwear industry. In 2015, Kith Treats was opened from a childhood love for cereal and has become a staple within Kith locations. Kith offers thick and creamy softer serve ice cream with your choice of over 20 cereals to top it with. Some of these cereal options include: Pops, Apple Jacks, Lucky Charms, Cookie Crisps, Corn Flakes, Honey Bunches of Oats, Frosted Flakes and Fruity Pebbles to name a few. If you're a lover of cereal and soft serve then KITH Treats is the place for you. As if you needed another reason to visit, KITH Treats was feature on the Food Network show The Flay List with chef Bobby Flay and his daughter Sophie. |
| Sweets By Chloe | Opening in September 2015, by Chloe is a vegan line established by Chloe Coscarelli. Coscarelli, who co-founded by Chloe with Samantha Wasser (the daughter of the large hospitality group Esquared's CEO), has found tremendous success with her baking and recipes including winning Cupcake Wars, being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, writing three cookbooks and starting the by Chloe restaurant chain. However, in July 2017 the relationship between Coscarelli and Esquared soured and Coscarelli was forced out of the company after an arbitrator determined that she was "negligent" towards the company's growth. Nevertheless, by Chloe is known for its fantastic vegan options including cupcakes, cookies and various other sweets. They also offer savory food options at their restaurant location. When it comes to vegan ice cream things can get complicated. The ice cream at by Chloe passes the test. They use vegan butter, full-fat coconut milk and various other items depending on the flavor. Speaking of flavor, you'll find six options to choose from: Birthday Cake, Coffee + Cookies, Chocolate with Chlostess Cupcake, Kale Cookies + Cream, Strawberry Jam and PB+J. |
| I CE NY | This popular Thai ice cream chain has over 250 locations across Asia and over 20 locations in the U.S. Their rolled ice cream is made right in front of you as the ice cream makers pour a milk-based liquid on an ice-cold metal surface and use spatulas to mix, mash, roll and create the ice cream. It's then placed into a cup and smothered with various toppings. Popular flavors include Rose Lychee, which has a sweet fruity flavor of lychee and raspberries with a silky-smooth milky finish. You'll also find Mango Sticky RI-CE that is made with mango ice cream, fresh mangos, Thai coconut infused sticky rice and coconut sauce. Sounds cray cray but it's yum yum. Other delicious flavors include Strawberry Cheesecake, Want S'mores, Banana Pudding, Cookie Spree and Match Mania to name a few. I CE NY rolled ice cream, like most rolled ice cream, is surprisingly smooth but creamy with rich flavors. |
| World’s Best Cookie Dough | The World's Best Cookie Dough opened its doors in December 2017. The all-computer-science team of co-founder Shameo Sufian and four friends created WBCD with the idea to re-create some of NYC's top treats with a cookie-dough twist and sell them under one roof. They sell Banana Pudding that was inspired by Magnolia. You'll find cheesecake that was inspired by Juniors. Milkshakes inspired by Black Tap. Cookie dough inspired by DŌ and large cookie-dough filled cookies inspired by Levain. The raw cookie dough is created just as DŌ created theirs: they use pasteurized eggs and pasteurized flour -- both of which require a heating method that kills harmful bacteria. The cookie dough tastes as you would expect: mixing-bowl good. The base of all their dough has a smooth, doughy texture that is sugary but not too sweet. They offer 15+ flavors that are sure to appeal to just about anyones palate. These flavors include: Cookie Dough Cheesecake, Banana Pudding, Vanilla Pudding, Snicker Doodle, Smore's, Brownie Batter, Chocolate Pretzel Fudge, Monster Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel and Fruity Pebbles to name a few. If you're here and have a hankering for ice cream then you're tapping into their Black Tap influenced "Freakshakes." These shakes are loaded and very picturesque. The flavors come in Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Pretzel Nutella, Salted Caramel, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Strawberry Cheesecake. These babies can get a little messy so just hold onto the handle and ride these ice cream bulls all the way to Flavor Town. |
| La Newyorkina | Fany Gerson debuted La Newyorkina -- which means "the girl from New York" -- in 2010 and opened her Greenwich store in 2016. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Gerson -- who also owns Dough -- established La Newyorkina as a way to experience the flavors of Mexico through paletas. Paletas are a popular Mexican ice pop with fresh-fruit chunks that come in a variety of colors and flavors. The paletas come in two different types: fruity, which are water based, and creamy, which are milk based. The fruity flavors come in Coconut, Lime Basil, Cucumber Lime, Mango Chile, Pink Limeade and Hibiscus Raspberry to name a few. The creamy variety come in Fresa Fields (Maria cookie with strawberries), Mexican Vanilla, Mexican Chocolate, Roasted Banana, Red Hook (Coffee from Chiapas with chocolate chip cookie dough) and Cajeta-Canela (Mexican cinnamon filled with goat’s milk caramel) among others. While the water-based paletas are tasty and refreshing, the milk-based paletas are delicious and exquisite. Depending on what mood you're in you'll have over 20 flavors of paletas to choose from. Not sure what to get? Try the Mango filled with Chamoy, Passionfruit, Fresa Fields or Roasted Banana. And If they don't tickle your fany, I mean fancy, La Newyorkina also offers scoops of ice cream and sorbet. |
| Big Gay Ice Cream | Bryan Petroff and Douglas Quint -- a classical musician by trade -- started Big Gay Ice Cream in 2009 out of an ice cream truck. What was considered then to be a summer adventure turned into an East Village store in 2011 and a Greenwich Village location in 2012. Since then they have consistently ranked as one of the best ice creams in NYC in addition to being ranked the #5 ice cream parlor in the world by USA Today and The Daily Beast. The name of the company was created, not because the owners are gay -- they are -- but from a placeholder name that people loved on Facebook and it stuck. Big Gay Ice Cream is, in fact, awesome. If you're a soft serve kinda person like myself then you'll love their cool, creamy flavors. The Salty Pimp is a very popular and is ridiculously good. If you have one choice it's this. It's a vanilla soft serve ice cream in a cone, injected with Delce de Leche, sprinkled with sea salt, then dipped in chocolate. The end result is life changing. Other great options include American Globs that is similar to the Salty Pimp but with crushed pretzels. You'll also find delicious ice cream sandwiches and milkshakes if that's your flavor of the day. |
Bagels  | |
| Bagel Bob's | A New York neighborhood staple for over over 21 years, Bagel Bob's makes hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels the old fashioned way. Bagel Bob's is a Kosher location that also offers up a variety of tasty coffee options. Their bagels are a little smaller than most but the quality of the actual bagel is very good. Bagel Bob's bagels have a nice soft chew to them and good flavor. Their spreads are also good and come in a large variety of options. Bagel Bob's is as safe a place as any to get a good quality bagel. The one catch here is that it's CASH ONLY. They do have an ATM in the location but it's good to know that ahead of time. |
| Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company | Owners Panos (Peter) Voyiatzis and John Rocchio opened Brooklyn Bagel Company in 2002. After working as civil engineers and owning a successful construction company, the pair traded in their hardhats for aprons and never looked back. Their hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels are top notch and easily one of the best in NYC. The exterior of their bagels has a little crunch to it but the inside is soft, chewy and delicious to the last bite. Brooklyn Bagel Co. offers all your typical bagel flavors but Plain, Cinnamon Raisin and the Everything bagel will win over your heart ... and taste buds. They offer a large variety of spreads which include Strawberry, Chive, Blueberry, Plain, Fig, Scallion and -- my favorite -- Lox cream cheese. |
Coffee & Hot Chocolate  | |
| World’s Best Cookie Dough | The World's Best Cookie Dough opened its doors in December 2017. The all-computer-science team of co-founder Shameo Sufian and four friends created WBCD with the idea to re-create some of NYC's top treats with a cookie-dough twist and sell them under one roof. They sell Banana Pudding that was inspired by Magnolia. You'll find cheesecake that was inspired by Juniors. Milkshakes inspired by Black Tap. Cookie dough inspired by DŌ and large cookie-dough filled cookies inspired by Levain. The raw cookie dough is created just as DŌ created theirs: they use pasteurized eggs and pasteurized flour -- both of which require a heating method that kills harmful bacteria. The cookie dough tastes as you would expect: mixing-bowl good. The base of all their dough has a smooth, doughy texture that is sugary but not too sweet. They offer 15+ flavors that are sure to appeal to just about anyones palate. These flavors include: Cookie Dough Cheesecake, Banana Pudding, Vanilla Pudding, Snicker Doodle, Smore's, Brownie Batter, Chocolate Pretzel Fudge, Monster Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel and Fruity Pebbles to name a few. However, if what you seek is a unique hot chocolate then check out their cookie dough hot chocolate that is topped with whipped cream, chocolate flakes and cookie dough. |
| Coffee 'n Clothes | Ryan Glick created Coffee ’n Clothes after moving to NYC from LA and wondering the city streets going from coffee shop to coffee shop. Coffee n' Clothes is a marketing firm that focuses on opening up pop-up stores around the city. However, they have also created their own location for self-promotion. What makes this place fun for us is that they incorporate a ton of famous brands on your cup of coffee or in custom lattes -- your latte art will never be the same. The idea is to give visitors a sharable moment and personalized experience with their favorite brand within the coffee. This isn't exactly a cozy coffee spot you crave on a rainy day. It is however, a fun, unique experience that creates a memorable connection between you and your favorite brands. Companies they have worked with in the past include Vogue, NIKE, Hello Kitty, Revolve, Marc Jacobs, Rolex and many more. Their coffee isn't going to blow your mind, it's not supposed to, but it will be the most stylish and classy cup of coffee you'll ever have. |
| Blue Bottle Coffee | James Freeman is the creator of Blue Bottle Coffee. After years of chasing a musical dream Freeman decided to chase another passion: coffee. He built his brand with the idea that he will only sell coffee that's made to order within 48 hours of roasting the beans. He began selling his coffee at a farmer's market in Oakland, California in 2002. Soon after, he opened up a store in Oakland, quickly spread throughout the Bay Area, then eventually found it's way to New York City in 2010. In 2017, Nestle bought the majority stake (68%) of Blue Bottle for an estimated $425 million. If you're heading to Blue Bottle for a cup of java then you won't be disappointed. Their cold brews are great but it's their famous pour-over coffee that makes them so terrific. All their coffee is made to order to ensure it's the freshest and tastiest cup you'll ever have. And while you're there you can purchase the fantastically crafted Blue Bottle Coffee Dripper that took four engineers and 70 prototypes to create. |
| Stumptown Coffee Roasters | Duane Sorenson opened Stumptown Coffee Roasters in 1999 in Portland, Oregon. He quit his head roasting job at Lighthouse Roasters Fine Coffees and ultimately created a new coffee culture. He focused on bringing top-quality coffee by getting the highest quality of coffee bean available. It has been said he broke the record for highest price ever paid for beans. Sorenson was also fully committed to direct trade practices where he would pay two or three times more than fair trade prices to ensure real sustainability and structural improvements at partner farms. However, in 2015, Stumptown Coffee Roasters was bought by Peet's Coffee for an undisclosed amount. No longer a small, hipster company, Stumptown still offers delicious coffee drinks from the Cappuccino and Americanos to tasty Cold Brews and Lattes. Sorenson, who is now clearly set for life, is working on opening a new coffee location in Portland called Puff Coffee. |
| Third Rail Coffee | Humberto Ricardo is the owner of Third Rail Coffee and has created a beloved coffee spot for Greenwich locals. Third Rail serves coffee from Stumptown and rotating roasters such as George Howell. While the location is small, the coffee and lattes are delicious and very consistent. They are also a retailer for the ever-enjoyable Counter Culture Coffee. |
| Madman Espresso | Marco Vacchi opened Madman Espresso on University Pl in 2015. Madman Espresso is part of the third wave of coffee shops that focus on fair trade and the source of where beans are coming from. They offers delicious coffee but create a great pour-over coffee as it's the freshest coffee you can get. This Greenwich location is a favorite among locals including actor Alec Baldwin. Owner Marco Vacchi is as talented as he is charming. On the walls of the shop you'll find photographs taken by Vacchi himself -- black and white are his specialty. In addition to pour over, Madman makes great espressos, cold brews and lattes. Their customer service is superb and is reflected in the quality of their drinks. |
| Max Brenner | 2018 by opening Blue Stripes Cacao Shop which is a mere one-minutes walk from Max Brenner. The chocolate restaurant that is Max Brenner is a very enjoyable experience. The restaurant boasts a large food menu with fun desserts and beverages. Its spacious Willy-Wonka atmosphere is like no other in NYC. From its chocolate drinks and chocolate pizza to its chocolate store it's a chocolate lovers paradise. You'll also find chocolate syringe shots, their patent Hugmugs and the Alice-in-Wonderland inspired Alice cups. The hot chocolate you'll find here is rich, creamy, chocolatey, marshmallowy or however you like it. It's served charmingly in their patent Hugmug and sipped harmoniously until the last drop. |
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| Sweets By Chloe | Opening in September 2015, by Chloe is a vegan line established by Chloe Coscarelli. Coscarelli, who co-founded by Chloe with Samantha Wasser (the daughter of the large hospitality group Esquared's CEO), has found tremendous success with her baking and recipes including winning Cupcake Wars, being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, writing three cookbooks and starting the by Chloe restaurant chain. However, in July 2017 the relationship between Coscarelli and Esquared soured and Coscarelli was forced out of the company after an arbitrator determined that she was "negligent" towards the company's growth. Nevertheless, by Chloe is known for its fantastic vegan options including cupcakes, cookies and various other sweets. They also offer savory food options at their restaurant location. For this section, however, we're talking cookies -- and yes, they are vegan. |
| Blue Stripes Cacao Shop | Oded Brenner, the literal face of the Max Brenner logo, has returned from exile (his non-compete agreement) and opened Blue Stripes Cacao Shop. Brenner's new shop has shades of Max Brenner with its barrage of chocolate, unique cups and chocolate pizzas but the essence of culture is uniquely different. Written on cups, plates and gift boxes and around the shop are short texts Brenner wrote about his life for his daughter Nellie (nicknamed Tito) that ultimately became the inspiration for Blue Stripes Cacao Shop. The cacao fruit is also a highlight of Brenner's new location. He has created his menu so that each quality of the cacao fruit is incorporated into it. The cacao beans are used to make the chocolate. The pulp -- where the sweetness is found in the fruit -- is used as an ingredient. Brenner maxes (see what I did there?) out his cacao beans by giving customers a laundry list of chocolate creations. Nutella Swirl Buns, chocolate-drizzled soft pretzels, cakes and shakes are just a few truly scrumptious options on the menu. And let's not forget "Clouds," the chocolate tap that pours out a delicious chocolate mousse that is somewhere between chocolate milk and a shake. But for this section we're talking cookies. You won't find the behemoths you had at Max Brenner but you will find several good options that are baked to perfection and flavored to seduce. These options include... |
| Max Brenner | Max Brenner is the creation of Oded Brenner and Max Fichtman that started in 1996 in Israel. It started out as a small-chained chocolate shop but eventually expanded to 60 locations in six countries after being purchased by Strauss Group Ltd in 2001. Brenner stayed on as a consultant to help build the brand but was eventually sued by Strauss after opening a shop of his own called Little Brown Chocolate Bakery and Coffee. Brenner ultimately signed a non-compete agreement where he could not work with chocolate for five years. He returned to the world of chocolate in 2018 by opening Blue Stripes Cacao Shop which is a mere one-minutes walk from Max Brenner. The chocolate restaurant that is Max Brenner is a very enjoyable experience. The restaurant boasts a large food menu with fun desserts and beverages. Its spacious Willy-Wonka atmosphere is like no other in NYC. From its chocolate drinks and chocolate pizza to its chocolate store it's a chocolate lovers paradise. You'll also find chocolate syringe shots, their patent Hugmugs and the Alice-in-Wonderland inspired Alice cups. |