Places to Go: City Bakery (Chocolate Heaven)

On a freezing winter day, nothing is better than hot chocolate. I am not talking about Nestle hot chocolate that comes from a packet;  I am talking about City Bakery's famous hot chocolate topped with a decadent and fluffy homemade marshmallow.  I discovered this last year and was blown away by this rich chocolate treat that has a liquid pudding consistency.  This is one of the best things that I have found to warm me from the inside out (beside a hot yoga class that is).  

Now, on to the hands-down best chocolate chip cookie in Manhattan.  Chocolate chip cookies are by far my favorite cookie, so narrowing down the best cookie and awarding such a title is a big deal, but believe me these cookies are absolutely divine.  They are the chewiest cookie I have ever come across - they practically dissolve on your tongue. Plus, when you bite into the cookie, the chocolate pieces melt, almost as if they were just pulled out of the oven (I am trying to figure out how they do that).  If someone has discovered a better chocolate chip cookie, please let me know, otherwise you can find it on 18th Street.  

Places to Go: Momofuku Milk Bar

(Welcome to Momofuku Milk Bar)

(A lovely afternoon treat)

(There aren't any words to describe the amazingness of the Birthday Cake Truffle)

(A truffle for the season, Apple Pie Truffle)

My first blush with Momofuku Milk Bar was when an intern, who was working in our department brought in their Birthday Cake Truffles as a thank you gesture on her last day. I thought they looked good, I threw them in my weekend bag (I was going to Boston that weekend) and nearly forgot about them. That was until the three hour trip to Boston turned into an almost six hour ride and I became absolutely ravenous.  I remembered that I had slipped the three truffles into my bag and was relieved that I had something to eat.  Little did I know that those three little confetti treats would leave me speechless.  I was riding alone and couldn't tell anyone how amazing they were or even have the opportunity to share a bite (if I would have been so nice).  


They have a few outposts in the New York with a recent opening on Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side that I recently ventured into with my friend Nuria.  I had to share this experience with another sweet-tooth fanatic.  Between the two of us, we tried the Birthday Cake, Apple Pie and the Chocolate Chip Truffles.  It is hard to describe the consistency of this treat - they are like eating the chewiest ball of cake dough (they almost taste uncooked, hence why they are super addicting) encased inside of a crunchy shell.  I studied the ingredients on the package and wonder if I could ever duplicate them. If only...