I Think I Just Found The Best Cookies in NYC



Soft, gooey, nutty chocolate goodness.

It's true, my friends.  Never mind New York City.  I'm pretty sure I've just eaten the best cookies on earth.

Now I realize I've only lived here for a few months, but during this time, I've been highly dedicated to finding the very best desserts my new city has to offer.  And trust me, I've done a really good job so far.
This next wondrous discovery was recommended by quite a few people, especially when I mention I have a dessert blog.  This was a typical comment: "well obviously you've been to Levain." Disappointed head shaking would ensue when I muttered an uncomfortable "uh, no".  So when my friend Rebekah, a fellow Dessert Lover, came to visit, it was the perfect opportunity to finally enter the hallowed doors of the famous Levain Bakery.


Oh Cookie, I think I love you.

After dinner at 'Cesca, a lovely little neighborhood gem, we decided to walk off our Italian carb fest and headed to the nearby bakery, in an awesome attempt to continue the carb extravaganza. 

At first we walked right by it.  Besides the fact that I was born with zero sense of direction, this isn't hard to do.  Why?  It's tiny.  I mean, teeny weeny.  And it's below street level so it's even more difficult to find.  The only reason we even saw it is because of the crowd of people coming in and out of the tiny screen door (ok I'm making this place sound like the Keebler Elf Factory; the screen door was in fact regular-people sized).
(A side note: My directionlessness is legendary.  I even get lost in my hometown.  My sisters will happily tell you the now classic story of how I got lost in Waianae, which happens to be about 45 minutes from my house.  I think.  But I digress).


We found it! Hooray!


As we descended the little steps to the bakery counter, I got excited--and I wasn't the only one.  Everyone in the small space seemed to be sporting a giddy little grin, especially the ones stuffing their faces with some of the largest, most gorgeous cookies I've ever seen.
The beauty of Levain bakery is in its simplicity.  There are only 4 cookies!  Utterly brilliant!  I like to think they focus on making the 4 best cookies in the universe, and that's it. They do have other amazing baked goods too, but these Cookies are the Hero!

Of course we bought one of each, plus a buttermilk Oatmeal Raisin scone, all in the name of serious baking research.
Here they are, in all their delicious glory:
1. Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie
2. Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie
3. Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
4. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip


Welcome to Cookie Heaven


How to describe these sugary treasures?  My friend Paula tried once ("see, they're soft but also chewy and on top they're a bit hard...oh just try them")  Well, she was right.

They're extremely unique for two reasons:

1. They're HUMONGOUS.  Little Cookie Mountains.  You can gently cradle this softball-sized treat in the palm of your hand.
2. They're a crazy mix of TEXTURES.  Soft on the inside--almost underbaked which is my favorite way to eat them--yet slightly crumbly, and perfectly crisp on top.  Now you're probably thinking what the hell is she talking about, but here's where I'll quote Paula: oh just try them.




To explain my Love of Scones, I offer a mathematical theorem:
Scones are made of Butter.  Butter is Good. 
Therefore, Scones are Good.

I had a favorite, of course.  If you know me even a little bit, you'll know that I kinda enjoy the heavenly taste of God's gift to man, aka Peanut Butter.  The Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookie left me utterly breathless.  A perfect combination of not too sweet but richly flavored dark chocolate cookie dough mixed with a proportionate amount of mini Peanut Butter chips.  Bravo, Levain.

The next day, after a ridiculously necessary vigorous morning workout, Rebekah and I met one of her friends at Sarabeths (love love love Sarabeths!).  After introductions were made, Andrew hands me a rather heavy paper bag and says, "I hear you have a dessert blog, have you tried Levains?"  Well hello, new best friend.

By the way Bekah, all this counting was for you. :)

Levain Bakery
167 West 74th St New York, NY 10023
212-874-6080
www.levainbakery.com

Fact: Peanut Butter Is Awesome. Bigger Fact: The Peanut Butter Co. is Awesomeness x 1000

If everyone dreamed of dark chocolate peanut butter,
the world would be a happier place. 

To say that I'm a fan of peanut butter is just plain silly.  "Fan" doesn't begin to cover the all- encompassing obsession I have for this superfood.  I'm not sure why peanut butter has such a hold on me, but for some reason I cannot control myself around it.  


In fact, I cannot keep peanut butter in my house.  Why?  Because one of my joys in life is to sit on my couch with a jar of peanut butter and a spoon and before I know it...the entire jar is gone.  Poof.  In one sitting.  I've seriously done this a few times.  (You say "eww", I say Winner!)

The Peach Smoothie.  Just kidding.

If you have never eaten peanut butter with a spoon, I don't know what you're waiting for.  (To really connect with this story, I suggest taking a spoon to a jar of peanut butter while you read this).    


And if you're feeling really wild and crazy, here are two fun ideas that you should maybe try: sprinkle some M&M's into the peanut butter jar and gently scoop out a little mound of the creamy mixture dotted with M&M's for a crunchy, colorful mixture that's oh so tasty.  Or another random idea, mix a spoonful of peanut butter with a spoonful of Nutella; double dip for optimum deliciousness.  These are just two amazing ideas I've heard about that I can imagine were really successful. 


Ok back to my story.   So now that you better understand my obsession with peanut butter, you might be able to see that I was a teensy bit excited when I learned that there was a restaurant entirely devoted to peanut butter.


Friends, it is my pleasure to introduce you to The Peanut Butter Company.


I visited this lovely establishment with my friend Ryan, a fellow Peanut Butter Junkie, who flew to New York just to visit this restaurant (this statement may be slightly embellished.  But just slightly).

The Elvis.  I'm All Shook Up.

Ryan ordered The Elvis, a grilled peanut butter sandwich filled with bananas, honey and bacon.  Delightful.  A purist, he ordered just a peanut butter sandwich.  Silly.  I, on the other hand, got a bit out of control...

The Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Sandwich, which comes with
a little carrot and disappointingly, non-peanut butter covered
potato chips.  (You say "eww", I say "yes please").

I ordered the PB&J of the week, The Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Sandwich.  There were so many delectable choices (my second choice was Dark Chocolate Dreams--dark chocolate peanut butter with cherry jam, stuffed with shredded coconut...holy good idea), but the fact that I adore both Peanut Butter and Pumpkin-anything made this decision not as difficult as I thought.  I also ordered the Peanut Butter Smoothie, a wonderful frozen blend of peanut butter, bananas, honey and soy milk.  YUM.

More gratuitous peanut butter porn.
I bought many, many things. 

Then I bought some gifts.  Mostly for others.  Dark Chocolate Dreams and Old Fashioned Creamy for some fellow Peanut Butter Junkies, Peanut Butter Brownie mix (sorry Angelique, that was meant for you but didn't quite make it), a Peanut Butter cookie (pretty good but it could have used More Peanut Butter!), and a Peanut Butter button.  Yup, I bought a button.  Because I want everyone to know that I'm officially "Team Peanut Butter Co".  Also it had a picture of a cute little monkey on it.  Feel free to call me The Gift Shop Sucker.

Old Fashioned Smooth would be my favorite:
I like it pure and classy.

The Peanut Butter Company
240 Sullivan Street
NY, NY 10012
212-677-3995
www.ilovepeanutbutter.com