Desserts NYC

A Chinatown treat, this sho serves up suprisingly killer cupcakes, cakes and chocolate balls of joy. Bowls of chocolate wait ready to frost the luscious sweets. You can have your cupcake frosted with chocolate, espresso, raspberry etc. The chocolate is specially thick, rich and delish. The vanilla cake is moist and fresh. The staff is very friendly and accomodating and at $2 per cupcake you are getting a sweet deal. This Chinatwown treasure is at 155 East Broadway around the corner from the East Broadway stop of the F train.
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Oaxaca

Oaxaca is a chain of no-frills Mexican street fare restaurants offering authentic food in a spot of minimalist decor for very low prices. I have been to two of the Oaxacas- one on 4th Ave in Park Slope and one on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens. Each spot offers the same grub. There are daily specials and weekly lunch specials of two tacos and rice and beans for $6.95. I have tried both the taco and the burrito which is not on the menu. What sets these Mexican staples apart is that the the tortillas are warmed on the flattops and the fillings are that good. The tacos are $2.95 and filled with your choice of meats or specials. Yesterday, I ate the burrito with a filling of potato and poblano peppers that also included black beans, tomatoes, cheese and pickled onions served in a warmed and slightly charred tortilla with a dollup of sour cream. I asked for salsa verde whcich was a slightly spicy green salsa. The flavor was outstanding. Twitter.com/Oaxacatacos
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One Girl Cookies

One Girl Cookies is an upmarket bakery in Cobble Hill specializing in mini artisinal cookies with girls names. Like petit fours these cookies are made from top quality ingredients. You can try four for $2.50 and they are all unique. I particularly liked the Lucia and the Lana. The Lucia has a shortbread bottom and combines caramel with a chocolate top for a swwet treat. The Lana is a bittersweet chocolate cookie with a raspberry jam center. Uniquely pretty cupcakes(pictured) are $2.50 and mini cupcakes are a steal at $1.50. A cute sort of nostalgic seating area.
F train straight to Bergen Street and One Girl is right on Bergen.http://www.onegirlcookies.com/
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Maialino's

Danny Meyer's Roman trattoria is a remarkable achievement. Housed in the elegant Gramercy Park Hotel, you can look out at the lovely private park and enjoy your meal.
Starting with the hostess who said would you like to wait for your party at the table, and being seated at a comphy booth you feel the professionalism right from the start. The room has a warm feel and no noisy din usually associated with a full restaurant. We went for brunch and wanted to try a few things so we shared. Starting with the bombolini($4) and the brioche carmellatto($3). For the mains we also shared the malfatti(open ravioli) with their signature suckling pig($21) and a ricotta pancakes($14).
The roman style bread(pictured) served simply with sea salt was super.
The brioche was warmed in a tiny toaster oven- a homey touch for such a nice spot. Perfect tiny donuts with a light custard. The malfatti is perfection with it's housemade yolky pasty filled with the slightly salty pig in a butter sage sauce with the green from the arugula. The ricotta pancakes are light, sweet, cooked perfectly and served with a splendid fruit compote. My hot chocolate with flowere creme fraiche on top $5 was a tad light though pretty. A carefully chosen wine list. Bathrooms could be better lit. Gramercy Park Hotel- 2 Lexington Avenue.
MUST GO!

The Green Table

Organic and seasonal restaurant within Chelsea Market, The Green table offers a sit-down spot within the market. With a menu focused on American classics with a full range of meat and veggie options. We dined there for Sunday brunch and it was a lovely meal. I went with the half grilled cheese sandwich served with a soup and dressed greens for $13. The soup of winter squash, carrot, coriander and bacon was tasty, not creamy, but super flavorful. Raw Vermont cheddar on Amy's bread with apple chutney was delish. The mac and cheese pictured served with dressed greens was $15, very tasty, albeit small for the price.
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