Cookie cravin': Levain Bakery NYC



So it was still National Chocolate Day week (because, why should the celebration ever end? teehee) and I was craving a good, I mean good chocolate chip cookie. I'd always wanted to visit Levain Bakery NYC just to see what's good, I figured this was as good a time as any. I made sure to go on a real lazy even right smack in the middle of the week day because I did not want to encounter any kind of line whatsoever...but go figure there was still a respectable wait to get inside the store as you can see below. Stood outside for 10 minutes. Not bad enough to turn the heck around and head back into the subway at 72nd street... :)

I learned about this NYC cookie powerhouse when it first opened a few years ago but I'm a downtown girl and it was way uptown, plus why would I want to be a NYC sucker and line up outside the door and almost around the block (ok maybe I exaggerated a tad here) for pastry (yeah Cronut I'm looking at you! - more on that in a later post btw)  - and all the excuses you could think of under the sun... but I digress.



 

Finally I make it into the tiny, charming shop and right as you come in you see the bags of high gluten flour. Yassss! That's how you bake a real cookie. Certaintly not "gluten-free" friendly and you know it as soon as you step inside... 

 

The nice and friendly staff giving the people what the people want...

 

I'm here now. Sooo what ever will I order?? The nice artisanal looking sodas that I love, or make a venture into the tasty looking mini pizza type breads...?

 

FOCUS! You came out here to try the legendary chocolate chip cookies and them cookies are what you shall get. Apparently they bake a whole variety of delectable goodies but the Chocolate Chip Walnut and the Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip are more of what they're known for so...what's a girl to do when faced with huge cookies at $4 a pop? She buys 2 of the most popular offerings, that's all she does...

 

Well except I switcherooed last minute to the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip and "oh m gee". Look at that mound of deliciousness. When I took it out the bag I wondered if it was fully baked as it was so soft and heavy, almost like a cake.

 

Then I realized it was so chock filled with peanut butter was why it felt like so. I wish I had held the cookie in my hand to give an idea of the scale... but all I wanted to do was devour this mountain cookie of goodness... 

 

The Chocolate Chip Walnut...

So full of devilishly delicious chocolate...

 

The damage : $8. Not bad for someone who almost literally has to restrain herself when she sees the chocolate. I actually thought I would find the cookies overrated but interestingly I didn't. Not a big coffee drinker but I know the ladies behind me who looked like they knew their onions when it came to their cafe in NYC, were not impressed with the coffee. Just sayin'. However I thought the cookies were a bit much in size but then if you are paying $4 a pop, better to get your money's worth. The walnut chip was just alright. The peanut butter chip was heavenly. I would certainly get it again but only if I am in the area and I spy no lines... 

 

'til the next jaunt

x

 

 

 

 

 

National Chocolate Day: A schlep to L.A. Burdick NYC

By some calendars, July 7th is National Chocolate Day...ok per instagram...or whoever is the final decider of these holiday thingies. Given my special love for chocolate, I believed it should be celebrated in style; not that a special day should ever be needed for a chocoholic, will-walk-through-lonely-streets -to-find-good-chocolate, desperado like me. It is easy to be desperado in these United States when it comes to good chocolate. Yes NYC, I do love you but Europe has spoiled me for you when it comes to chocolate and I am sorry to break it to ya, yeah ya just have yet to blow me away when it comes to your chocolate. Now there are some spots that have hit the spot (almost), like Vosges, La Maison Du Chocolat, Neuhaus, name it, I have visited them all...well all except LA Burdick.

They are known for their chocolate mice and penguins. So cute! And so to celebrate this lovely national food holiday I figured a schlep to Flatiron was necessary to check this place out - yeah I know I'm late to the party but anyhue...this is how it went.

Interior was charming enough.

Delectable cakes and pastries, mostly of the chocolate variety. Decisions, decisions...

Finally decided on an almond chocolate cake. Ok can I tell it as it really is to you readers of mine...all 2 of you heheh - and I appreciate you very much so I wouldn't sugarcoat or lie to you on my true opinion of any food I eat or place I visit. You can take that to the bank...

So about the cake, the slice looked delectable but the overall texture and taste left a lot to be desired and more so when I think that I paid $6.50 for this?!? C'mon now.

And oh, let's talk about this coconut cake on the counter. I contemplated getting it and I wish I had asked first for a slice before mentioning the mold and sign of spoilage I saw at the base of the cake (look at this picture closely towards to the bottom of the cake); for when the girl at the counter realized I had seen that she said 'oh no that's just display, if you want a slice of this cake, we cut it for you from the one we can serve in the back...'

Ok, lady. I acquiesced but I don't know why, I just had a hard time believing her...#jessayin'

Oh hello, cutesy mice that they are more famous for...and for their hot chocolate (if only I were a hot chocolate person, I know a couple of people with reviews on yelp who will sell their last possession for  a cup of legendary hot chocolate from here...)

Here was my final order of chocolate in honor of National Chocolate Day, lest we forget the real purpose of the trip and this post; a milk mouse - mocha ganache, a penguin - lemon ganache (these were 3.25 a piece), a pave glace (3.00), a double stacked square (1.85) and she threw in a freebie, the single bonbon (1.25) which she charged me for anyway lol. The total damage : about $20.00.
 

 

Final verdict the chocolates were tasty but went the way of the average, very average I might add, American gourmet chocolate attempts, and for the $$ I had to pay, not very impressed. I guess I really am eay to please but hard to impress when it comes to my chocolate and pastries, and pizza and pretty much anything epicurean heheh. Sorry USA you are my land and I'd love you still but please do try to make chocolate like the French or Swiss or something...

 

'Til the next jaunt

x