Grom

233 Bleecker St (@ Carmine)

A recent excursion to Italy has left me with a poor beginner’s version to Italian, a couple pounds heavier, and a nasty addiction to gelato.

As such, when NYLawStudent suggested a trip to Grom, what kind of friend would I be to deny such a request? More importantly, immediate action was necessary to fend off cravings until I make my way back across the Atlantic.

The line that never ends, also known as the line at West Village’s Grom, gave us a chance to review the menu and discuss our preferences. I chose 1 scoop of Bacio (traditional Gianduja chocolate w/ hazelnut chips) and 1 scoop of Crema di Grom (w/ Battifolo biscuits & Columbian chocolate chips).

My partner in crime had 1 scoop of Stacciatella (w/ Columbian chocolate chips) & 1 scoop of Caffe espresso (w/ Guatemalan Genuina Antigua coffee).

Despite the snobbishness that results from having the real thing in Italy, I enjoyed my selections. The Bacio was amazing, but to a hazelnut freak such as myself, I expected it to be. Crema di Grom had a slightly odd dark chocolate taste but was good as well. NYLawStudent enjoyed his choices, but made the mistake of comparing Gelato to Blue Bell. At the sight of my oncoming breakdown, he took it back and apologized.

Overall, the gelato was smooth in texture and creamy in taste. Italians might scoff, until I remind them that Grom itself comes from Italy. Indeed, I spotted Grom while roaming the streets of Venice. It hails from the Province of Torino in Northern Italy.

When every other stand is a geletaria; when you wake up and shake because it is almost noon and you have not had your first scoop of gelato yet, relax—you're in Italy. To go from having gelato 4 times a day to once a week (if that) will be tough, but when the cravings get out of control, I take comfort knowing Grom is a short distance away.

DAMAGE ~$5/ small cup—2 scoops
VERDICT: Go

Billy’s Bakery

184 9th Avenue (b/w 21st St & 22nd St)

Holy Cupcake! Billy’s Bakery offers a variety of baked goods with one specific goal in mind—to satisfy your sweet tooth.

And satisfy my sweet tooth it did, so much that I teetered on the brink of nausea during a recent visit to the tiny Chelsea bakery.

The following was consumed in one sitting:

Chocolate Cupcake w/ Buttercream Icing.

Slice of Peanut Butter Pie.

Butterscotch Mini-Cheesecake.

Amongst my sugar overload, what stood out were the pie and the chocolate cupcake. The buttercream icing was superb; the cupcake itself was creamy and moist, ranking among the best I’ve had in the city. The pie was like biting into a jar of creamy whipped peanut butter topped with nuts and chunks of chocolate. The cheesecake, however, was somewhat disappointing; overtly sweet and dry.

Apparently, the bakery is known for their red velvet cupcakes; they were in the middle of making a new batch when I went. Rather than wait for them to finish (and endure creepy stares from onlookers noticing the drool creeping down my chin), I checked back two days later and bingo—red velvet cupcakes galore!

I had one red velvet cupcake and a slice of their banana cake (I couldn’t resist). Once again, yum and yum. I’m not sure if the red velvet is all it’s cracked up to be but it’s worth splitting with a friend. The banana cake, especially the icing, was so delicious that I still recall the taste clearly as I write several days later. This is worth stealing from your friend.

There are a couple more items I plan to try on future visits, and with a location opening up in Tribeca mid-June, that visit will be soon.

Recommendation: I would shy away from their cheesecakes but definitely try a cupcake or 4. If you order a plethora of desserts, try not to consume them all at once.

DAMAGE ~$20
VERDICT: Go

The Chocolate Room

86 5th Ave, Park Slope, B’lynDid someone say chocolate?

InterSportsWriter did, so ISW, CanseoTaris, and I ventured to Park Slope’s The Chocolate Room following dinner in Williamsburg one Saturday evening.

After a short but excruciating wait (no reservations accepted), we were seated at a table for 3 and proceeded to pour over the vast menu.

CanseoTaris, still full from dinner, ordered a small scoop of Sorbet Valrhona Chocolate Ice Cream.

Meanwhile, the true chocoholics at the table, InterSportsWriter and I, split the following:

Black Bottom Butterscotch Custard

Brownie Sundae w/ Hazelnut Ice Cream

Chocolate 3-Layer Cake

CanseoTaris’ ice cream was very tasty, but the butterscotch custard blew everything else away. It featured a thin layer of chocolate syrup on the bottom, and I just couldn’t get enough. It was so good that I hardly remember the other 2 desserts. However, I do recollect the cake being slightly on the dry side and us being unable to finish it. I don’t recall the brownie sundae at all. Not sure if that’s good or bad…I blame the custard.

If you live in Park Slope, you probably frequent this place often. If you don’t and are now considering subletting your apartment to move within walking distance from this chocolate fortress, just remember they also have a location in Cobble Hill.

I felt absolutely no qualms fueling my addiction to chocolate because I was surrounded by a room full of like-minded souls. Thus, until I figure out a way to sponsor myself a trip to Belgium for “research,” Park Slope’s The Chocolate Room will have to suffice.

DAMAGE ~$55
VERDICT: Go

ChikaLicious

203 E 10th St (b/w 1st Ave & 2nd Ave)

3 words: CHEESECAKE-ON-ICE.

Just one of the desserts to expect at ChikaLicious. Although it might not look like much from the outside, the desserts emerging from this tiny eatery barely seating 20 are sure to blow any dessert fanatic’s mind.

Over the past several weeks, my sweet tooth has gotten out of control. By this, I mean finding myself in line for cupcakes in Chelsea despite being late to meetings or my face glued to the windows of chocolate shops in SoHo hours before they open. A week ago, I stepped out of a bar in Alphabet City and smelled chocolate. It was midnight; there was no chocolate to be had.

Imagine my delight when InterSportsWriter suggested we meet over dessert; not dinner, not drinks—just dessert. Wednesday evening, we set out to calm my cravings at where else but a dessert bar run by Chef Chika Tillman called ChikaLicious.

Each dessert is priced at a pre-fixe of $12, which includes Amuse Bouche (a small serving of sorbet intended to prepare tastebuds before the main dish), a Dessert Choice , and a finishing of Petit Fours (an assortment of tiny goodies such as coconut marshmallows and chocolate truffles).

Unable to choose just 1 or 2 selections, my dessert companion and I ordered the following 4:

Fromage Blanc Island "Cheese Cake."

Almond Cake with Toasted Almond Chantilly and Espresso Granita (shaved expresso ice).

Warm Chocolate Tart w/ Pink Peppercorn Ice Cream and Red Wine Sauce.

Sorbet w/ bite sized pieces of apple pie in Caramel Soup (exact name unknown).

We paired our desserts with glasses of Moscato d’Asti, a sparkling dessert wine that was sweet in taste and perfectly complimented our selections.

To describe each item would be completely unfair to my readers and the restaurant. You must try it for yourself. I will say my least favorite was the Almond Cake; I did not have a most favorite but felt partial to the tart for obvious reasons (see addiction to chocolate).

The menu changes weekly, with the exception of the tart and cheesecake, the two most popular items. If you're a cheesecake aficionado, put ChikaLicious on your list. Did I mention cheesecake on ice?

Part of the appeal of this East Village eatery is the experience. How many people can say they have been to a gourmet dessert bar and ordered a pre-fixe dessert? If the place feels pricey (like it did to me), I recommend ordering a pre-fixe dessert paired with a glass of wine for $19, then heading across the street to the sister restaurant Dessert Club ChikaLicious, which only serves cupcakes, cookies, and pudding.

A better idea is to go with a friend, order your individual desserts, eat yours quickly, then distract your companion long enough to inhale his/her dessert before running across the street and buying $2.50 S’more cupcakes for each of you. Trust me on this. Your friend will thank you, once the anger subsides.


DAMAGE ~75
VERDICT: Go

S & S Cheesecake

222 W 238th St, Bronx

Say hello to the nation’s best cheesecake, at least according to Zagat’s. The pies emerging from S&S Cheesecake are packed full of the freshest, most natural ingredients for a taste unlike any other.

I trekked out to their ONE location in the Bronx, rang the bell, and bought 2 small cheesecakes: original and carrot. Sir Fancy Pants, 60sBumbleBee, and I shared the first slice of the original. Although I am not well versed in cheesecakerey, SFP and 60sBumbleBee are, and both died upon their first bite. No really; I had to revive them to help me finish the slice (which I did by giving them more bites). 60sBumbleBee did not want to carry on with her life because she knew she would never have another cheesecake as good as S&S, at least not until her next visit to New York.

Original

What makes S&S cheesecakes so good? Perhaps it is the fact they use only the freshest ingredients in their pies—no artificial anything. The cakes are dense and creamy with no funny aftertaste. Perhaps it is the crust; baked to perfection without being crispy, soggy, or flaky. Maybe it’s the fact they have not sold out like so many other places (see Junior’s (yes I said it. Have you been to Times Square??)). Every single S&S cheesecake comes out of the tiny windowless warehouse off 238th Street in the Bronx, as it has for over 50 years.

Carrot

As I write this review, I am eating one slice of the original and of the carrot. S&S Cheesecake is the real deal. It has set the bar so high in cheesecake land that I will never be able to eat another slice of cheesecake without thinking of S&S. In fact, I am not sure I will ever be able to eat another slice of cheesecake from anywhere other than this place.

S&S Cheesecake is open M-F 6am-3pm. If you can’t make those hours or are scared to trek out to the Bronx, the surrounding stores sell their cheesecakes plus several other stores and restaurants throughout New York City. They also ship to anywhere in the United States. Pies come in 6 varieties and start at $12 for the original New York Style when you buy it from the warehouse. Cheesecakes are certified kosher.


DAMAGE ~24
VERDICT: GO NOW!

Beard Papa’s

5 Carmine St.

Oh...my…Cream Puff! What a lovely little delight you are! The tiny Japanese Bakery called Beard Papa’s, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, specializes in cream puffs and also features a couple other delicious goodies, including a Fondant Au Chocolate, which you heat in the oven until the chocolate in the center is melted. I ordered one of these and one original vanilla custard filled cream puff. Both lived up to my expectations. The chocolate fondant was amazing, especially for the cheap price, and the cream puff was light with a flaky outside and a creamy center.

Beard Papa’s features a different cream puff flavor each week, ranging from Earl Grey Tea to Strawberry. Their website cites them as the “World’s Best Cream Puffs.” I cannot testify the truth of this statement (as I am not well versed in cream puffery), but they were damn good. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.

DAMAGE ~ $4.75
VERDICT: GO NOW!