Yura Gonna Enjoy This!

I had some plans on the Upper East Side a couple weeks ago and was excited to finally be in the neighborhood of Yura on Madison. This gourmet prepared food market made the list of Serious Eats' Uptown Edition chocolate chip cookie taste test (and is one of the few on Serious Eats' list that I haven't tried yet). Everything in this restaurant looked amazing - both the entrees and bakery items. And I have to say that my Healthy Asian Chicken Wrap was so good that I find myself daydreaming about it at least once a day.

The chocolate chip cookie was obviously crunchy, which I typically don't prefer. But I went in with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised. There was not a bit of softness in the cookie, but instead of tasting like my sweet mom's burnt Pillsbury refrigerated break-the-dough-and-bake cookies, it had a great balance of flavor. It was buttery without being greasy, rich, and a little salty. I still prefer a cookie with a crunch on the exterior and a soft middle, but as far as hard cookies go, this was a winner.

The goodness of the day continued when we met some of our favorite people at the awesome Ancient Playground next to the Met. My little Egyptian goddess loved exploring the Nile as it flowed through the pyramids and obelisk. Great sprinkle park, but bring a hat and sunblock, because there is very little shade. And hopefully the water isn't recirculated, since Hannah told me she needed the potty, and in the time it took me to strap my baby into the stroller, Hannah had stripped her bathing suit off and was peeing in the drain. Oops!

Sweet Stop at the Seaport

My husband and I were walking around the South Street Seaport the other night, trying to decide if we liked the area enough to take the plunge and sign on an apartment nearby. After a nice Italian dinner at Il Brigante, we walked up the block to Jack's Stir Brew, since I had heard they sell awesome cookies. We got there just as they were locking up for the night. But without any window banging or sad puppy looks on our part, a Jack's employee ran right over when he saw us and opened the doors. He said they were closing but might still be able to make us a drink or something. When I told him I just wanted to try one of their chocolate chip cookies, he grabbed us four. Free of charge! All around great place: awesome cookies, awesome customer service, and awesome location....we decided to move (and I'm more than a little excited to have this place close by!).

So this cookie is classic but somehow very unusual, which is why I like it so much. I actually enjoyed it more and more with each bite. It wasn't very buttery, but still had a rich, earthy flavor. I can't really put my finger on what made it taste so unique, but there's definitely a secret ingredient. Is there coffee in there (which would be fitting since Jack's Stir Brew is primarily a coffee shop)? I don't know, and I guess it's hard for this Mormon to be an expert on the flavor of coffee! Soft, chewy, dense, and the perfect size (it's not embarrassing to hold the whole thing in your hand and eat it!).

Other locations: 138 W 10th St in the West Village

Chelsea Market

After a fun morning at the park on Thursday, the kids and I wandered into Chelsea Market, and I was once again reminded how much I love this place! I just enjoy walking around, but it's also perfect for any visitors that want a New York tasting tour in a single location.

There are so many things to love about Chelsea Market, not the least of which is their wide selection of delicious treats. Here's a quick run-down, highlighting the chocolate chip cookies, of course:

1. Sarabeth's. This is just a middle-of-the-road classic chocolate chip cookie. This is just a Sarabeth's bakery, but if you ever have a chance to go to their restaurant, the lemon ricotta pancakes are to die for!

2. Jacques Torres. We know how I feel about these chocolate chip cookies - always #1 in my book.

3. People's Pops. This is a little popsicle and shave ice stand with some really interesting flavors. We had a peach and mint popsicle that had chunks of fresh peaches and little pieces of mint. The flavor combination worked surprisingly well; the mint was very subtle and fresh. Great popsicle, but not really worth $3.50.

Don't mind the grimy 3-year-old fingers holding the popsicle! I'd like to say they just look like that because we had been playing at the park!

4. The Lobster Place. Not a treat place at all (unless you're asking my dad), but don't miss the lobster roll. It's awesome. A real palate cleanser between treats! And the kids love to see the fresh seafood selection.

5. Amy's Bread. I've tried a bunch of great things here. The bread never disappoints (including the cinnamon roll - wow! Moist the whole way through.). As far as desserts go, the compost cookie wasn't my favorite. The idea is fun - oatmeal, coconut, chocolate chips, nuts, chips, and whatever else thrown together. But it was too dry and needed more butter. The chocolate chip cookie was good, but not real noteworthy (just go to Jacques Torres). The real winner is the chocolate cake. All I can say is best cake ever!

6. Ronnybrook Dairy. This place has the highest quality milk we've found in the city (my husband is a milk snob, having grown up in a dairy family in Utah) - almost Winder Dairy quality (I might be disowned from the family if I say otherwise!). Incredible shakes. And they've given Hannah free ice cream just for being cute. I don't blame them!

7. Fat Witch. I LOVE these brownies. And thank you Fat Witch for often having free samples. And for not judging me when I take extras "for my kids." And for being another reason why Hannah was really into witches. I love all of these dense, buttery, perfect brownies, but you can't beat the classic witch.

 8. Eleni's. They have some of the best decorated sugar cookies I've ever seen. Very creative, detailed, and fun. But their chocolate chip cookies are not good at all. Too floury and very dry. I took Hannah and  Grandma Winder to Chelsea Market on Halloween for some trick-or-treating. Great option for celebrating Halloween in the city, but beware, the decorations are SCARY! Even for me! Hannah still talks about the tall dead guy...nightmares.

Sweet girl. Dry cookie.

Thanks, Chelsea Market. We'll be back!

My Love for Levain

I can't review cookies in NYC without including Levain Bakery. This place has definitely made a name for itself by creating some of the best cookies in the city.

These sky-high cookies definitely fit in with the landscape of this city, and yet, despite their massive height, they never fail to be perfectly cooked. They are crisp on the outside without any hint of being burned and soft and gooey in the middle but not at all doughy.

 In my opinion, the chocolate chip cookies are very good, but I'm not a huge fan of walnuts. I end up picking the nuts out and stop paying attention to the delicious cookie.

For me, the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip is the cookie worth making an entire meal out of. The dark chocolate perfectly balances the rich peanut butter to create this incredible cookie.

And learn from my mistake: the Upper West Side location has a webcam that streams onto their website. Unfortunately, I didn't learn this until AFTER I nursed my baby right underneath the camera (luckily I was covered)...hopefully I didn't drive away too much business!

This is another chocolate chip cookie with a great copycat recipe. My favorite version is found here (and I leave the nuts out!).

Also in Harlem on 117th and Frederick Douglass.

Can't sleep? Must be cookies on the brain!

I've never taken advantage of Insomnia Cookies' late night cookie delivery, but I'm sure it won't be long before I break down on a night shift and get some cookies sent over. Insomnia is conveniently located two blocks from NYU Medical Center where I work, so I've stopped in many times after a long day.

And I've now found my favorite pick-me-up...The S'mores Deluxe! This cookie has a chocolate base and is strewn with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and graham cracker pieces. All the great memories of girls' camp in one giant cookie, without leaving my hair smelling like a campfire!

Their cookies are served straight out of the holding oven, but I actually like to let mine cool for a few minutes so that I can distinctly taste all the s'mores components. I love this gooey cookie enough that I bought two, wrapped them up, and shipped them to my pregnant sister-in-law in Utah (she loves s'mores, so I knew she'd appreciate this cookie as much as me!). Delicious.

As for their other cookies, they are good, but honestly not that memorable. Stick to the s'mores!

Two locations: 33rd St and 3rd Ave (Murray Hill), and 50 W 8th St (near NYU)

That came from a truck?!

Actually, Dessert Truck Works is no longer run out of their food truck and instead inhabits a cafe in the Lower East Side (and they've also changed their name to Cathcart and Reddy (going artisan on us!)). But even if they don't drive to you, this place is high on the list when it comes to treats and is definitely worth going out of your way.

This mountain of a chocolate chip cookie is rich, buttery, and soft. It's loaded with milk chocolate (or at least a lighter chocolate than Jacques Torres or others use) and was a little on the sweet side, but incredible in small doses.

Cathcart and Reddy also have some other amazing dessert choices. The molten chocolate cake didn't hit the spot for me (it was a little dry and didn't pack a lot of flavor), but it must have been an off day because I've heard it's incredible.

For me, even better than the chocolate chip cookie were the brioche donuts with Nutella filling. They were served fresh and hot and sprinkled with sugar. The texture was perfect - light and airy but with enough substance to satisfy. AWESOME! 

City Bakery: Good for so many reasons, except the CC cookie

Just an avenue and a half from City Cakes is City Bakery (name alert), which is another great stop in Chelsea. I love so many things about City Bakery: their incredible selection of farm fresh vegetables, pastas, and entrees; amazing hot chocolate; mini tables and a toy kitchen for the kids; and convenient location (near the F train and our church). However, I have been sadly disappointed on several occasions by their chocolate chip cookie. It looks perfect (on the same line as Jacques Torres: gigantic, crispy exterior, lots of dark chocolate). But it's all downhill from there. In my opinion, they use too much brown sugar, and it over caramelizes. So it has almost a burnt flavor, though it's not burnt but actually very chewy (actually almost too chewy to the point where it's a little airy). I've given it several chances and just can't make myself like it.

But, don't worry because there are some other great treat options at City Bakery!
1. The vegan chocolate chip cookie. I have no clue how you make a vegan CC cookie, but whatever magical ingredients they use to replace the eggs, butter and chocolate make this cookie amazing! And because it's missing dairy, I had dreams of it being healthy...it's probably best I don't know what's in it.
2. Hot chocolate. I'd even drink this when it's 100 degrees outside...it's that good. It is so creamy and thick (I'm guessing whole milk and real chocolate - no powder here). And to top it off (literally) is the best homemade marshmallow I've ever had - springy, soft, melt-in-your-mouth. Awesome. For the best adventure, hit up their hot chocolate month in February when they have a new flavor each day (in addition to the classic). Amazing!

FYI: These cookie reviews hold true for Birdbath Neighborhood Bakery (14 St and 1st Ave) since City Bakery supplies their baked goods, but don't worry, I tried the cookies there too just to make sure!

City Cakes: Another go-to favorite

City Cakes' cookies definitely hit high on our list of the best in New York. If you're ever in Chelsea, you definitely have to stop by this hidden little gem. The store is in the basement on a sleepy side street, but you will be glad for the detour. Their half pound (I promise we split it with friends!) "Rich Chocolate Chip Cookie" lives up to its name! It has a very smooth, buttery flavor and is soft and chewy throughout (despite the trend for crunchy exteriors, I like this change of pace). The flavor of the cookie tastes just like that perfect batch of cookie dough that never saw the oven, yet somehow it isn't an undercooked cookie. The chocolate chips are sweet, but not overwhelmingly so, and there is just the right amount of chocolate running through it to provide the perfect ratio. Don't try to eat too much in one sitting though. It is very rich and this isn't something you want to get sick of!

On subsequent trips, we also tried the Peanut Butter Reeses' Cup cookie, which was also incredible! The cookie had a rich peanut butter flavor without being too overwhelming. And it is perfect paired with Reeses' bits. Definitely a hit. The Spiced Triple Chocolate cookie wasn't as much of a success with the kids (we took a youth group). Maybe they just need to refine their palates, but truthfully, I'm not sure if I'd buy one again (especially when the chocolate chip and peanut butter are options!). The kids thought the spice mix was too powerful and overwhelmed the chocolate flavor. I thought it was an interesting flavor and the spices did cut down some of the sweetness of the chocolate.

It's also fun to stand in the tiny store and check out the amazing fondant work on the displayed cakes. Serious talent!

And the winner is...

There is no better place to start than with the very best. Despite trying countless chocolate chip cookies in the past year, one of the first cookies I tried in New York City remains my favorite. This cookie is large enough to feed a family for a day (or me and my daughter Hannah for an afternoon snack). It is soft and chewy in the middle with a crispy exterior. But it's the chocolate that makes the cookie. Giant discs of the best very dark chocolate are layered throughout the cookie so that every bite has the perfect balance of the sweet cookie and slightly bitter chocolate. It totally melts in your mouth (especially if you have them warm it up!). And the winner is...

Jacques Torres' Chocolate Chip Cookie!

I'm sure this doesn't come as a shock to many of you. Jacques Torres is a famous chocolatier, so it's no surprise that these celebrated chocolate chip cookies are very well known. And thanks to the New York Times, you can make them at home by going here. But beware, they are only as good as the chocolate that you use!

There are 5 locations: Upper West Side, Rockefeller Center, Chelsea Market, Hudson Street, and under the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn.

 One last tip: if you go to a location that serves ice cream (UWS and Brooklyn), go for an ice cream cookie sandwich. You get to choose two full-sized cookies and a scoop of ice cream for much cheaper than buying all three separately! And at least try a sample of the wicked ice cream...it's chocolate with ancho and chipotle chili peppers that give it a great kick.

And introducing Hannah, my sidekick (this picture is almost a year old...she knows better now than to smile for a picture and leave her cookie unprotected!). Notice that the cookie is roughly the size of her head!