Real Cheap Eats NYC
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Currently viewing the tag: "Desserts"
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At this narrow East Village coffee mecca, a small assortment of pastries matches some of the city’s best brews. Baker Elizabeth Quijada’s acclaimed olive oil cake, which arguably sparked a renaissance of its own in coffee house food, is unequaled. Moist and prone to minor crumbling, it harbors a simple and unassertive flavor, like a more flavorful angel cake.
Abraço
86 East 7th St. at First Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 388-9731
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- $3.50
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Stateside scones get a bad rep for being overly dry and crumbly. Alice’s Tea Cup will change that perception in a minute with its exceptionally moist, caramel-capped pumpkin scones. Whether you enjoy these for dessert, breakfast or as a pre- or post-lunch snack, no trip to Alice’s is complete without one.
Alice’s Tea Cup on Blondie and Brownie
102 W. 73rd St. at Columbus Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10023
(212) 799-3006
156 E. 64th St. at Lexington Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10065
(212) 486-9200
220 E. 81st St. at 3d Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10028
(212) 734-4832
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- $3.90
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- Photograph by Robyn Lee
If ice cream can be called intense, then that’s the best description for Salted Crack Caramel from Ample Hills in Prospect Heights. The dark flavor of caramel bumps up against a salty kick, and just when you think there’s not much more this ice cream can offer, you’re hit with a chunk of the “crack.” It isn’t an illicit substance, but saltines coated in chocolate, butter and sugar. The shop’s flavors rotate, but they seem to always have this one on the menu.
Ample Hills Creamery
623 Vanderbilt Ave. at St. Marks Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(347) 240-3926
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- $1.00
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Mexican Coke can be elusive, but Indian Coke? Get a real sugar bite way in the back of the Apna Bazar. The soda’s black color shines through the bottle, without even a sliver of Coca-Cola red. For a Coke collector or a soft drink enthusiast, this is a nice pick-up.
Apna Bazar on Jeffrey Tastes
72-20 37th Ave. at 73rd St. (Map)
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(718) 565-5960
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- $6.00
When people say “bacon makes everything taste better,” they’re pretty much right. At the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop, you can have soft serve ice cream with sea salt and dulce de leche dipped in chocolate, but what you should really try is the Choinkwich, an ice cream sandwich made with chocolate cookies from the Treats Truck, chocolate soft serve ice cream and a layer of Bacon Marmalade. It’s chocolatey, bacony, smokey, salty, sweet and most definitely delicious.
Big Gay Ice Cream Shop on Eat to Blog
125 E. 7th St. at Ave. A (Map)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 533-9333
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- $1.50
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A Fujianese lady curates this stoop-line stand; many of her wares likewise have roots in southeastern China. Perhaps the most intriguing, sold by the pair, are pastries filled with sweet potato, crushed peanut and some cryptic candied-looking tidbits. What might they be? Unless you speak Fujianese, there’s no telling; let your tastebuds be your guide. Like most of the lady’s wares, these pastries are unlabeled, but you can recognize them by their whorled shape and deeply indented top.
Chinese Snacks Table on Eating in Translation
Chrystie St. and Grand St. (Map)
Northwest Corner
New York, NY 10002
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- $2.25
Though D’Aiuto bakery is best known for its crustless “Baby Watson” cheesecake, the hidden gem here is the apple fritter. Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, studded with apple pieces and covered in plenty of sweet glaze (so much that it soaks through), this beauty clocks in at well over a half pound. It’s more than big enough to share, but you might not want to. D’Aiuto’s fritters are sold at Dean & Deluca’s around the city for $3.50, but you can get them from the source for $2.25.
D’Aiuto on Midtown Lunch
405 Eighth Ave. at W. 30th St. (Map)
New York, NY 10001
212 564-7136
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- $7.95
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- Photograph by James Boo
To make its Cookies and Cream Sundae, Dessert Club Chikalicious cuts up three of its cookies—The Situation (chocolate chips, corn chips, peanut butter chips, marshmallow and pretzel), Situation Dark (chocolate cookie with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, toffee popcorn and pretzel) and Chocolate Chip—then mixes the crisp chunks with super creamy vanilla bean soft serve. Each dessert is great on its own, but together they form the best combination of cookies and ice cream you may ever eat. Just make sure to share with one or two people; the portion is huge.
Dessert Club Chikalicious on The Girl Who Ate Everything
203 E. 10th St. at Second Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 475-0929
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- $4.25 for 10
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During Dominique Ansel’s tenure at Michelin-rated restaurant Daniel, meals famously ended with a basket of freshly baked madeleines, their lemony scent wafting from beneath a white napkin. When Ansel left Daniel, he left diners yearning for such delights. Fortunately, those madeleines are now available every day at his bakery. Stop in for a treat that’s a fraction of the cost of three Michelin stars, but just as memorable.
Dominique Ansel Bakery on Feisty Foodie
189 Spring St. at Thompson St. (map)
New York, NY 10012
(212) 219-2773
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- $1.15
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Remember the days before New York was overrun by cupcake shops, artisan pies and exotic doughnuts? I actually don’t, but the Donut Pub embodies everything good about classic American desserts. If you’re looking for a Valrhona triple-chocolate doughnut or exotic ingredients like matcha, you won’t find them here. What you will find is the epitome of a glazed doughnut (they call it a Honey Dip). The dough melts in your mouth, yet has a certain resilience upon biting. With an oh-so-thin layer of honey-based syrup drizzled over this magical bread, you have an intoxicating blend of sugar, carb, and pure sensual feelings—quite possibly a benchmark for any doughnut in the city.
Donut Pub on My Inner Fatty
203 West 14th St. at Seventh Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 929-0126
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- $0.70
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The plain glazed doughnut at The Donut Shoppe (a.k.a. Shaikh’s Place) is one of those foods that immediately transport you to another era. The glazed, oddly shaped ring is fluffy, light and just sweet enough. The handmade dough collapses to the touch and almost melts in your mouth at each bite. This is artisanal food at its finest.
The Donut Shoppe on Sheepshead Bites
1503 Ave. U at E. 15th St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11229
(718) 375-2572
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- $5.50
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A step into Eddie’s is a step back in time to when things were simpler—the ice cream was homemade, and whipped cream with a cherry on top was a given. Every flavor is handcrafted, but the standout is maple walnut: rich, buttery, filled with nuts. Hot fudge is unnecessary on a scoop this beautiful.
Eddie’s Sweet Shop on Feisty Foodie
105-29 Metropolitan Ave. at 72nd Rd. (Map)
Forest Hills, NY 11375
(718) 520-8514
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- $1.50 for small
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(Photograph by Miriam Finkelman)
The tacos and cemitas at this Michelin Guide-recommended joint are some of the best in the Bronx. In winter weather, though, you may want something more than mole to keep you warm. Estrellita’s champurrado, a rich, hominy flour and chocolate-based beverage, is thick as pudding. If you’re looking for a jolt, try the soothing café de olla. Flavored with cinnamon and panela (unrefined whole cane sugar), it’s devoid of bitterness and uncharacteristically sweet. Take it black.
Estrellita Poblana 3 on Serious Eats New York
2328 Arthur Ave. at Crescent Ave. (Map)
Bronx, NY 10458
(718) 220-7641
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- $8.95
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Cooked in the style of ba si (“bah sih”)—which roughly translates to “pulling threads”—these cubes of taro are fried until lightly crisp, tossed in caramelized sugar and brought straight to the table, where wisps of candy trail each piece as it’s coaxed from the plate. The layering of crystallized sugar, browned edges, and fluffy-yet-hearty taro is a minor miracle of cooking. It’s also fleeting — within minutes the pile will begin to cool, melted sugar hardening into a sticky, unyielding sludge until dunking the pieces into water loses its sorcery. Share it with friends, and share it quickly.
Fu Run on The Eaten Path
40-09 Prince St. at Roosevelt Ave. (Map)
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 321-1363
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- Photograph by James Boo
For most young people, “egg cream” evokes hazy, black-and-white memories of an older generation of New Yorkers, sharing the once-ubiquitous drink over doo-wop music at a 1950’s-era diner. Thankfully, the humble egg cream, a mixture of chocolate syrup (the purists demand Fox’s U-Bet), milk and soda water, lives on at Gem Spa, a ramshackle bodega on the corner of St. Marks and 2nd Ave. Grab one on a hot afternoon for a refreshing, cross-generational treat.
Gem Spa
131 2nd Ave. at St Mark’s Pl. (Map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 995-1866
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Walk past the trays of Italian butter cookies dipped in chocolate and bright sprinkles, past the Linzer tarts and the oozing cannolis. It’s the Mexican baked goods that set Golden Pastry Shop apart. The pan de muertos—buttery, mildly sweet Mexican pastries, typically served on Mexico’s “Day of the Dead” holiday—are available year-round here. Light, fluffy and dusted with sugar, they are the perfect breakfast indulgence. There’s no seating inside this tiny Tompkinsville bakery, so plan to hover as you eat, or grab a pastry and a cup of coffee to go. -Clare Trapasso
Golden Pastry Shop on City Spoonful
1 Corson Ave. at Victory Blvd. (Map)
Staten Island, NY 10301
(718)-727-9393
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Just off the well worn trails of Main Street in Flushing is Halal Food/BBQ Chicken, wedged into a tiny storefront shared with Home Noodle. The chef, who hails from Tianjin, produces a litany of meats (mostly lamb and chicken) and cold dishes. Subdue your carnivorous urges, and instead snag a couple of lǘ dǎ gǔn, a cake of sticky rice rolled in cooked soybean powder and stuffed with homemade red bean paste. A characteristic dessert of the Beijing region’s Muslim population, it’s sweet in that Chinese dessert kind of way—which is to say: not at all.
Halal Food/BBQ Chicken
41-28 41st Rd. at College Point Blvd. (Map)
Queens, NY 11355
(718) 888-9208
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- $4.00 per pound
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Henry’s Deli is one of few old-school, German-style delis left in South Brooklyn. Most dishes here have been replaced by more modern offerings, but Henry’s still bakes its own rice pudding every week. Made from long grain rice, milk, vanilla and several secret ingredients, the pudding is rich, creamy and smooth. It’s sweet without being cloying, and thick without being heavy. It’s just about perfect.
Henry’s Deli on Sheepshead Bites
2921 Ave. S at Nostrand Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11229
(718) 375-8580
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- $5.49 per pound
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Jacob’s expansive buffet offers a constantly refreshed selection of soul, Southern and Caribbean chow. Hot food is the focus, supplemented by cool salads. Chilled banana pudding is worth a second trip to the buffet—not least because you wouldn’t want the gravy on your smothered chicken or the run-off from your okra gumbo to slop over the ‘nilla wafers in your pudding. A delicious mess, the banana pudding deserves its own plate.
Jacob Restaurant on Eating in Translation
2695 Frederick Douglass Blvd. at 8th Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10030
(212) 283-3663
373 Lenox Ave. at W. 129th St. (map)
New York, NY
(212) 866-3663
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- $3.35
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At this Japanese-inspired, Vancouver-born hot dog joint, even dessert comes on a warm bun. The Age Ice (pronounced “ah-gay ice”) consists of three plump scoops of ice cream in your choice of flavors—vanilla, strawberry, green tea or black sesame—set inside a bun that is lightly deep-fried moments before being served. The bun’s texture and light coating of granulated sugar are reminiscent of a good raised doughnut.
Japadog on Eating in Translation
30 Saint Marks Pl. nr Second Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10003
(646) 476-2324
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- $3.50
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When New York becomes unbearably hot, cool off with Joju’s black sesame milk shake. The taste of black sesame, simple but strong, is neither overwhelming nor disappearing under the creaminess of the ice cream. Delicious and refreshing, this is a worthy warm weather treat.
Joju
83-25 Broadway at Dongan Ave. (Map)
Elmhurst, NY 11373
(347) 808-0887
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- $5.00
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Cholados are sold all over Jackson Heights, especially in the summertime. Made from shaved ice topped with fruit, fruit syrups, condensed milk and a cherry on top, they’re fruit salads transformed into the perfect summer refreshment. At Jugos Prontito y Algo Mas, the cholado isn’t just good—it’s exceptional. Here, the usual mix is accompanied by real passion fruit puree—seeds and all. Loaded with fresh chunks of banana, pineapple, papaya, melon and apple, it’s an extra special, tropical treat.
Jugos Prontito y Algo Mas
90-02 43rd Ave. at Ithaca St. (Map)
Queens, NY 11373
(347) 556-4950
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- $4.50 for small, $5.50 for large
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The West Village is home to a handful of good ice cream and gelato shops. My favorite, which most reminds me of Italy, is L’Arte del Gelato. Their freshly made gelati and sorbetti are invariably creamy and smooth, and their seasonal menu offers a wide variety of flavors—from chocolate-y, to nutty, to fruity, to creamy, to spicy and more. Don’t miss their intensely nutty pistachio gelato, made with Bronte pistachios from Sicily. Pair it with a fruity gelato or sorbet; I’m fond of strawberry, peach, banana and grape.
L’Arte del Gelato
75 Seventh Ave. South at Bleecker St. (map)
New York, NY, 10014
(212) 924-0803
75 Ninth Ave. nr West 15th St. (in Chelsea Market – map)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 366-0570
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- $2.00
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New York’s appetite for frozen yogurt is undeniable. In a change of pace from the Pinkberry and Red Mango shops popping up all around the city, Monsieur Singh’s Lassi Pop brings a different type of frozen yogurt to the streets. Made from a blend of all-natural, probiotic Indian yogurt with digestive herbs, spices and fruit, these rich and creamy pops make for a delightful afternoon snack on a hot day.
Monsieur Singh on Blondie and Brownie
Schedule available at Monsieur Singh and Twitter
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At Peter Pan, the star of the show for me isn’t the famous red velvet doughnut, but a few trays to the left: the toasted coconut. A perfectly fluffy yeast doughnut lightly glazed and generously sprinkled with pieces of nutty, toasted coconut shavings. Sweet, messy, and unpretentious, it’s everything a doughnut should be. Try to stop by before noon, when the kitchen is still turning out fresh trays.
Peter Pan Bakery on Blondie and Brownie
727 Manhattan Ave. at Norman Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 389-3676
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- $1.25 per paczek
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- Photograph by Dave Cook
Paczki (pronounced punch-key) are Polish jelly-filled doughnuts traditionally made and devoured on “Fat Thursday” as a way to finish all the fat, sugar and fruit in the household before Lent. Luckily, the husband-and-wife duo running this homey Eastern European deli sells paczki year-round. These circular treats are prepared and deep-fried to a rich, golden brown color every morning. The dough is light and airy, and the dollop of strawberry and raspberry jam in the center has a sweet and slightly tart flavor, making this pastry an ideal snack.
Polish G.I. Delicatessen
109 1st Ave. at E. 7th St. (map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 982-7893
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- $3.00-$5.00
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Cupcakes were never the plan at Robicelli’s, a mom-and-pop good eats shop that closed its doors to South Brooklyn in 2009. Since then, Matt and Allison Robicelli have earned a reputation for perseverance, becoming city-wide cupcake distributors. Their reputation is earned: Robicelli’s cupcakes—with over 100 flavor combinations in rotation to date—are always well executed, never too sweet, and topped with a silky French butter cream that puts the world of overkill cupcake frosting to shame.
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- $3.00 for 1 scoop
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The portions at Sky Ice leave much to be desired—mostly because there’s so much to desire from the Thai cafe’s menu of house-made ice creams. Sky Ice’s Black Sesame Seaweed ice cream is a perfect example. It balances the deeply roasted notes of black sesame with a particularly milky ice cream, while bits of dried, salted seaweed added to the ice cream make each small scoop pop with unexpected umami. The price goes down as your portion goes up, but a single scoop packs a punch.
Sky Ice on The Eaten Path
63 5th Ave. at St. Marks Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 230-0910
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- $1.00
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La Newyorkina may have popularized Mexican popsicles as part of NYC’s ever-growing food fair scene, but Sley Deli’s paletas have been stocked in shops all over the city for years. Go to the source, an unassuming bodega in Borough Park, and ogle the rainbow of more than 30 flavors stacked in the freezer case. Choose from tropical fruits like guava or passion fruit, creamy arroz con leche, cookies and cream (it’s not Latino 24/7 here) or spicy-tart tamarind spiked with chile.
Sley Deli
4217 Fort Hamilton Pkwy at 43rd St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11219
(718) 435-5343
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- $4.00
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What is SnoPo? Shaved ice? Ice cream? Cotton candy? The answer to all three questions is: YES. Shaved ice with the creaminess of ice cream and the fluffiness of cotton candy, it needs to be experienced to be understood. Make no mistake though: SnoPo is the future of cold treats to beat the heat.
SnoPo on Feisty Foodie
New World Mall
40-21 Main St. at Prince St. (Map)
Flushing, NY 11354
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- $1.50
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Nothing’s quite as comforting on a bitter winter day as a bowl of dou fu fa—fresh tofu curds served creamy, nutty and lashed with sweet syrup. And there’s no place like quite like Soybean Chen Flower Shop to get it. Add a you tiao—the crunchy cruller that’s a staple of Chinese breakfast—for a mere $2.50. Don’t forget to grab some flowers for your sweetie on the way out.
Soy Bean Chen Flower Shop
135-26 Roosevelt Ave. at Main St. (Map)
Queens, NY 11354
(718) 321-3982
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If you’re looking for an understated but satisfying dessert, do yourself a favor and ask the cashier at St. James Deli for a homemade polvoron—also known as a “Mexican wedding cookie.” These are made by a local woman who sells her baked goods at St. James. Crumbly and buttery—almost scone-like in consistency, but with a hard outer-shell—these polvorones are just sweet enough to perfectly complement a piping hot champurrado or a hot, milky tea on a cold winter morning or night.
St. James Deli on We Heart Astoria
34-02 34th Ave. at 34th St. (map)
Astoria, NY 11106
(718) 482-7835
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- $3.85 for 1 scoop
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This ice cream shop offers classics like vanilla, strawberry and mint chocolate chip, but the main draw is a selection of Asian-inspired flavors, including wasabi, ginger and black sesame. If you’ve never had taro-flavored ice cream before, this is the place to try it. Made with fresh taro and taro-flavored powder, the ice cream tastes like vanilla and sweet potato—subtly starchy and floral.
Sundaes & Cones on Serious Eats NY
95 East 10th St. at 3d Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 979-9398
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- $6.00
The Queens Kickshaw is known for its coffee, beer and grilled cheese sandwiches, but the Astoria hot spot has taken things to the next level with a full menu of dinner and dessert offerings. The fontina cheesecake is an unexpected highlight—a pleasantly sharp and savory scoop of creamy cheesecake sitting atop a bed of cereal crumbles and drizzled with a bittersweet blackberry-and-wheat-beer sauce. It’s a stunning combination of flavors and textures.
The Queens Kickshaw
40-17 Broadway at Steinway St. (Map)
Astoria, NY 11103
(718) 777-0913
