DessertQuestNYC part 3 of 3
As I mentioned in parts 1 and 2 of my #DessertQuestNYC, it wasn’t realistic to write about all 20 plus stops in one post without overwhelming everyone. With stops this enticing my goal is to allow you to journey with me one sweet treat at a time.
Parisian macarons were saved for two experts, Francois Payard and Ladurée Soho. Each shop offered other delicacies like the Roulé Espresso at Payard and the Religieuse Rose Framboise at Ladurée Soho but, alors, there was only so much we could taste. We settled for the raspberry lychee macaron from Payard and pistachio, chocolate and lemon ones from Ladurée Soho. C’est magnifique!
My next trip will definitely include an extended visit to Ladurée’s tea room and restaurant. It is like being transformed to another era of gentility where ladies adjourned to the drawing room to socialize. Truth be told, I wanted to move in and work my way through the menu one creation at a time.
Stick with Me turns chocolate truffles into artwork. Besides looking frame worthy, Susanna Yoon has mastered how to balance and combine flavors such as Black Sesame Passion. Per Se’s loss is NYC’s gain.
Papabubble reminded me of going into the lollipop section of a country store. If you ever wondered what molten sugar does once it sets, then this is the place to go. Personalized candies are also available. Just think about how cool your next birthday party could be.
I had never been to Brooklyn before and simply had to go. Fortunately, Jackie and Susan live there so it was the perfect place to go at the end of the day. You would think that after all the other stops we made that I would not be able to eat a thing. I would have, probably, agreed with you until we went to Runner & Stone.
Runner & Stone was founded by Chef Crish Pizzulli and Head Baker Peter Endriss. By 4:30 in the afternoon, the selection was limited, which was really a blessing in disguise for very stuffed people. I bought a chocolate croissant thinking I would have a tiny bite. UNTIL…I had that bite. O. M. G. It was the epitome of a croissant. Each layer of the pastry crunched. The bottom was just as perfect as the top.
Jackie started chatting with Peter and said how sad it was that the brioche was gone. Peter found one in back and, no surprise here, I claimed it and shared it with my family. I know why people have stood in Runner & Stone arguing over the last brioche.
When I KNEW that I could not eat another bite, we went to Ample Hills Creamery. Ice cream is a soft spot for me. I make it under protest because mine doesn’t come out with a mouth watering creamy consistency. After tasting salted crack caramel, Nonna D’s oatmeal lace, butter pecan brittle and Mexican hot chocolate, I looked at the server and asked if there was anything that was bad! I felt too guilty not ordering something after tasting half the store and can assure you that the peppermint patty is outgrageous.
The last stop of the night was to Rice to Riches because Jackie knew I would not truly ‘get’ the concept of over 20 kinds of rice pudding. She was right. You have to see it and then try it.
Many thanks to Jackie from Jackie Gordon SINGING CHEF for mapping out this #DessertQuestNYC and Susan from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen for joining us for the whole day. You may not have the stamina to go to all of these places in one day, not many people do. That’s part of the beauty of a dessert quest. It is a journey in search of desserts worthy of being sought and then shared with others.
Here’s a list of the locations of our stops from part 3:
Francois Payard
116 West Houston Street
New York, New York 10012
212-995-0888
http://www.payard.com
Ladurée Soho
398 West Broadway
New York, New York 10012
646-392-7868
https://www.laduree.com/en_int/
Stick with Me
202 Mott Street
New York, New York 10012
646-918-6336
https://stickwithmesweets.com
Papabubble
380 Broome Street
New York, New York
212-966-2599 10013
http://www.papabubbleny.com
Runner & Stone
285 Third Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11215
718-576-3360
http://www.runnerandstone.com
Ample Hills Creamery
305 Nevins Street
Brooklyn, New York 11215
347-725-4061
http://amplehills.com
Rice to Riches
37 Spring Street
New York, New York 10012
212-274-0008
https://www.ricetoriches.com