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Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
They must've just started carrying those chocolate chip cookies @ Joe! I've never had them. Wow. Must try. Actually, must try all of these.
Apparently We Caused a Cookie Run...
I went back at 4:15 and they had three left. Seemed to be super freshly baked. They're probably gone again though.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Midtown(ish) Edition
I am eating a Pret cookie right now and it is good but needs some more salt. I think the success of this cookie resides on the fact it is in a heated case (though that doesn't explain that it is still good when it cools down after being brought to the SE office). CURSES! What have they done to this cooooooooooookie to make it good. And this thing is 300 calories too. I wish they hadn't told me.
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Recent Posts
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 11/27 to 12/4
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 27, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Coffee Chronicles: Coffee's History In America, A Short Primer
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 24, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 11/19 to 11/27
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 19, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Coffee Chronicles: Pairing Coffee With Food
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 17, 2009 at 10:30 AM
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Recent Favorites
Snapshots From Italy: The Bounty of Calabria
Posted by Gina DePalma, November 12, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Beyond the Ice Cream: The Bent Spoon in Princeton, New Jersey
Posted by Carey Jones, October 27, 2009 at 10:00 AM
The Burger Lab: The Fake Shack
Posted by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, October 16, 2009 at 9:30 AM
The Brunch Dish: Biscuits with Strawberry Butter at Good Enough to Eat
Posted by Nikki Goldstein, October 9, 2009 at 1:15 PM
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
just had one of Jack's cookies. while I couldn't discern coffee as an ingredient I was impressed.. I ate it with a glass of water but sure it would pair well with some coffee. btw, what a steal at $1. it's the same size as Pret's cookie for less than half the price.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
They must've just started carrying those chocolate chip cookies @ Joe! I've never had them. Wow. Must try. Actually, must try all of these.
Apparently We Caused a Cookie Run...
I went back at 4:15 and they had three left. Seemed to be super freshly baked. They're probably gone again though.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Midtown(ish) Edition
I am eating a Pret cookie right now and it is good but needs some more salt. I think the success of this cookie resides on the fact it is in a heated case (though that doesn't explain that it is still good when it cools down after being brought to the SE office). CURSES! What have they done to this cooooooooooookie to make it good. And this thing is 300 calories too. I wish they hadn't told me.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Midtown(ish) Edition
I think someone sabotaged City Bakery! My world is crumbling. But I guess it's time for a new champion. Man. A new Pret just opened up next to one of my offices. Wish I hadn't read this.
New Jersey Dispatch: Turkey Shopping in the Garden State
There used to be a Hinck's in Ocean Township (Monmouth County) where I grew up, we would get our Thanksgiving turkey from them every year. Now we've probably resorted to Wegmans (less than a quarter mile down the road).
Best Coffee in Manhattan
I have a roundup of the best coffee in Manhattan in the works. Be on the lookout in the next couple weeks.
By the way, am I the only one who doesn't think Abraco is god-like?
Openings: Paulie Gee's, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Though I am sad you won't be in Jersey City, I will DEFINITELY be there opening night.
Beyond the Ice Cream: The Bent Spoon in Princeton, New Jersey
YES! Clearly I favorite this forever and ever.
I used to ice those cupcakes with an offset spatula. Now they use a piping bag or something like that, makes me so sad. ;)
Favorite flavors: cardamom ginger, peanut butter streak, lavender mascarpone.
Ice cream sandwiches are such an indulgence. They have little croissant-wiches as well with a tiny scoop of ice cream. A nice little treat. If I worked in mornings I would surely make that my breakfast.
Coffee Chronicles: Vietnamese Coffee Converts The Purist
@buddha ... My companion had her first ever Vietnamese experience that day. Clearly so glad I took her--and that we found this place, because everything was amazing. The spring rolls were so fresh, and the folks sitting at the table with us (2 people) had 4 orders worth! I've converted her. :) Next time, dessert.
@ravenouscouple .. I like how the filter almost acts like a cross between a pour over filter and a French press, with both the drip and the length of time it takes to drip from the filter... must be why the coffee is so potent!
Serious Eats Finds New York's Best Cheesecake
I love how imperfect the Two Little Red Hens cheesecake looks...never eaten anything that looks like that in my life. and "the Goldilocks of cheesecake"... how could I not want a piece of that right now??
Ten Rainy Day Eats In New York
my own roasted sweet potatoes. with chile powder and a shit ton of other spices. SO GOOD.
I also cannot resist an extra hot cortado from Joe the Art of Coffee. Or a chocolate chip cookie from City Bakery dipped in their own hot chocolate.
Snapshots from London: Raclette at Borough Market's Kappacasein
hooooo boy. that's pretty much my dream meal every day.
Marea: Le Collezione
Gorgeous, Nick, as usual.
Joseph Leonard for Lunch: Next Stop, Yummyville?
Love those brownies. I had them during opening week. And they were warm and satiating. Along with a glass of milk. Mmmmm.
Coffee Chronicles: Growing Up Jersey With Diner Coffee
@Derekh - how have I never been to Bonbonniere!?! wow.
My first experience with coffee was generally the same. Though I inched into the real stuff from International Selects. And Dunkaccinos at Dunkin Donuts. And the 7-11 "French Vanilla." Until one day, probably my first year in college, when all of a sudden, it just tasted right.
We loved Denny's in Jersey too. I was always a little afraid as to what was actually in the coffee though. But it never hurt to throw a little syrup in there from the pancakes..
Coffee Chronicles: Growing Up Jersey With Diner Coffee
Side note, here are my favorite Jersey diners.. in case anyone wants to reminisce and get a little bit more Jersey with me.
Broadway Diner, Red Bank
Broadway Diner, Bayonne
Edison Diner
Crystal Diner, Lawrenceville
Mastoris Diner, Bordentown
Princess Maria Diner, Wall Township
I'm so glad to hear about all these diners in NYC that I had no idea about!
Coffee Chronicles: Growing Up Jersey With Diner Coffee
@gargupie @rstank: I knew you Queens folk would chime in... I have spent only about two hours in Queens in my life, and half of that at LaGuardia Airport... so I'm glad now I have some reasons to go out there. Makes sense, since most of the diners we're talking about are Greek (or Turkish) owned. Thanks!
@alastor: I agree about usually ordering the same thing, but do you ever find it varies though, depending on the time of day? while I usually am a breakfast person and eat something like a broccoli and cheese omelette, if I'm there for a weekday lunch, I'll probably eat chicken souvlaki. which still pairs excellently with diner coffee, I might add.
Dallas BBQ: Boldly Going Where No Other Food Writer Has Gone Before
I'm glad you said the fries are better than Shake Shack's way down at the bottom of your post. I would've stopped at that point. :)
Chicago's Fish Guy Now Also a Coffee Guy
I find that certification means absolutely nothing these days, given there are much more direct trade relationships going on, which I'd much rather support.. I like knowing there is clear, open communication between coffee farmers and buyers. And this sounds spectacular. No matter what part of the food industry this guy works in, he clearly has passion and wants to bring quality products to his customers! I love it.
Coffee Chronicles: Reconsidering New York's Coffee Identity
Jasper,
I believe the cap was either 6 or 8 ounces. The cup does look pretty big, but I promise it was only and inch and a half high, if that.
As for the other two, these were the exact same things Erin and I thought. We noticed the texture was way off (the bubbles did make me cringe a bit), and when we spooned back the foam it was definitely a latte. Though, I think latte art is very possible in a cappuccino from milk that looks like a big pitcher of marshmallow fluff—and seen it poured beautifully. (White outs are more common, though, if you've got some über foamy milk.)
The Krave, Korean BBQ Truck, Hits the Streets of Jersey City
FYI you really can make a trip to Jersey City to eat dinner. I dare you. Jersey City is as close to Manhattan as Brooklyn. This truck is exactly ONE stop on the PATH train from Manhattan. [I just didn't go tonight because I already had leftovers at home.]
Zooey Deschanel Guest Judges on 'Top Chef Masters' Tonight
Wow, a gluten-intolerant vegan... I hope she has a private chef AND a nutritionist. That sounds like torture.
Jamba Juice's New California Flatbreads: We Ate Them So You Don't Have To
You should try putting it in the oven for longer to see if anything good happens to it at a high temperature. The flatbread part looks barely cooked. Though, if you do turn the oven up high enough it'll probably just turn to ash, which probably tastes just as good as its current form.
Do Singles Bars Exist in NYC?
as a frequent attender of NYC cooking classes (hey--I do the listings here, right?) I can say it can be unbearably hard to meet an eligible bachelor at a class. in most I've been to, there are couples, other women (young and old), but doesn't seem to be the single man on his own. if you're looking for a food buddy, by all means there are plenty. and adorable older women who love to make conversation.
maybe you should try a class that might draw more men.... butchering, beer, knife skills, maybe? who knows. yes it's playing into gender roles but I'm convincing myself it's a good idea.
Openings: Paulie Gee's, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Thanks very much Anthony. I've been fortunate enough to find people to work with who have some great ideas and I'm really excited about it all coming together.
Thanks again,
Paulie Gee
Openings: Paulie Gee's, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Belated congratulations. It is always great to see someone turn their passion into their living. The story is kind of inspiring to all those that wish to do the same one day.
Anyway, I am sure that the pizza will be great and that the venture will be prosperous, because of the care and commitment that will go into the product.
Best wishes,
Anthony A
Openings: Paulie Gee's, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Thanks f r y. I hope that everything goes even half ascwell as things have gone for you. If I go anywhere this Spring it will be a research trip to Naples. ( turn away IRS employees) with a "side visit" to my son in Rome. However, next year I'm gonna be tempted to do my research in the Bay area (turn away again) with a "side trip" to Tahoe to get some runs in at Squaw and Alpine Meadows. Lookin' forward to meeting you.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
Openings: Paulie Gee's, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Yes - way to go, Paulie. I finally got a chance to catch up on pizza news (EP is closed tomorrow), and I find that I missed the news we've all been waiting for.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Midtown(ish) Edition
Your mileage may vary on Pret. I went to the one on 42 and 5th today at 5:00. It was like a dried out biscuit. Very tough and hardly any chocolate. Truthfully, I'd rather eat dough from a tube.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for introducing me to Roasting Plant. I think that these are my absolute favorite in Manhattan.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
told you so (re: dessert club). too bad those cookies used to be 3 for $2. now that they are $1 each, i have no excuse to eat 3 :(
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
Nice work. It is the consensus of my colleagues that you all have perhaps the worst jobs in the world.
I kid. Jealous. :)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
milk and cookies may not have made the top of the list but those cookies make for a top notch ice cream sandwich :)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
ok, fair enough. i appreciate the info on your methodology. however, I would contend that there's nothing 'awful' about eating free chocolate chip cookies...;)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
@klaus ok: Tasters started off with small pieces of each cookie, recorded first impressions, and then went back and forth between samples to compare and contrast. There were 10 cookies up for consideration here, narrowed down through preliminary rounds. It isn't realistic to eat 10 whole cookies in one sitting—especially when some were up to 4"-6" inches across and could easily have fed three. Our judges put their systems through an awful lot for Serious Eats; there's no need to make it worse.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
Agree about Dessertclub cookies and you didn't even mention they go 3 for $2.00 or at least they did when I reviewed them. I missed the roasting plant cookies - thanks. The only contender I would add to your downtown review (I know you can't try them all) was Clinton St Bakery - one of the best for those who like crispy cookies + they have some salty/sweet thing going on too. Anyway, for a second opinion see my unranked listing of NYC's best chocolate chips cookies:
http://dessertbuzz.com/?p=373
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
from the photo it looks like you guys only sampled a bite-size slice of each cookie?!
you've got to eat the whole cookie to decide its the best (IMHO at least)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
@norman
Quoting the tweet: "Just had a chocolate chip cookie revelation. Awesome, awesome cookie from [location redacted pending publication on @seriouseatsny]"
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
adam said "These are a revelation"?
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
what about ong's spot?
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
What about Blue Ribbon Bakery Market?! Amazing cookie and Ed raved about it in his review of the place to boot.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
@Eating The Road: We can only hope!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition
So does this mean Dessert Club and the Roasting Plant are going to run out of cookies this afternoon? :P
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Midtown(ish) Edition
Given that half the cookies in NYC seem to be baked below Union Sq, good luck!
I have no idea if it's the BEST, but you have to include Insomnia Cookies.
This bastion of cookies for the NYU crowd (and anyone else in a 3 mile radius), are delectable. And (I think) it's the only purveyor that does nothing BUT cookies. Whenever I brought them into work, it caused a scene like the bridal gown sale at Filene's.
Apparently We Caused a Cookie Run...
Well I went to my local location here in the UK and big disappointment no cookie and according to their website the UK stores dont even sell a choc chip cookie!! Not Fair :(
Apparently We Caused a Cookie Run...
It couldn't happen to a nicer chain--I loved Pret when I was living in the UK--it's the only chain I think of fondly!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Midtown(ish) Edition
Ditto on Jack's. My daughter used to work there and couldn't get the recipe. Top secret. But I'm sure they have lots of coffee. I think they might actually contain ground coffee beans. Sometimes they're too raw (because the staff bakes them in a toaster oven and lack consistent timing) but they're usually very good. Jacques Torres is still the winner.
Apparently We Caused a Cookie Run...
found a few at 400 Park
Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Midtown(ish) Edition
When you get to the downtown edition, the chocolate chip cookies from Jack's Stir Brew coffee are a must-try. I go to the location on Front Street by the Seaport. They are crisp on the edges, have a ton of chocolate, are slightly underbaked to ensure a gooey center, and have a deep, almost, caramel-like, burnt suger / brown butter bass note to them. I keep begging the staff to give me the recipe, but rumor has it that only Jack's aunt knows the recipe. She makes the batter, delivers it to the store, and the staff only bakes off the cookies to keep the recipe secret.
Recent Posts
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 11/27 to 12/4
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 27, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Coffee Chronicles: Coffee's History In America, A Short Primer
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 24, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 11/19 to 11/27
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 19, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Coffee Chronicles: Pairing Coffee With Food
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 17, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 11/12 to 11/20
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 12, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Coffee Chronicles: Laid-Back Coffee Cupping at Home
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 10, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 11/5 to 11/13
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 5, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Coffee Chronicles: Coffee Cupping for the Lonely at Cafe Grumpy
Posted by Allison Hemler, November 2, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 10/29 to 11/6
Posted by Allison Hemler, October 29, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Coffee Chronicles: Introducing Ecco Caffe at Joe
Posted by Allison Hemler, October 27, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 10/22 to 10/30
Posted by Allison Hemler, October 22, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Coffee Chronicles: Vietnamese Coffee Converts The Purist
Posted by Allison Hemler, October 20, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 10/15 to 10/23
Posted by Allison Hemler, October 15, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Coffee Chronicles: Growing Up Jersey With Diner Coffee
Posted by Allison Hemler, October 13, 2009 at 6:00 AM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 10/8 to 10/16
Posted by Allison Hemler, October 8, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 10/1 to 10/9
Posted by Allison Hemler, October 1, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Coffee Chronicles: Losing My Single-Origin Espresso Virginity
Posted by Allison Hemler, September 29, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 9/24 to 10/2
Posted by Allison Hemler, September 24, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Coffee Chronicles: Intelligentsia Coffee Meets Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Posted by Allison Hemler, September 22, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 9/17 to 9/25
Posted by Allison Hemler, September 17, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Coffee Chronicles: Stumptown Opens at the Ace Hotel
Posted by Allison Hemler, September 15, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 9/10 to 9/18
Posted by Allison Hemler, September 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Coffee Chronicles: One Sunday Morning, Two Cafe Pedlars
Posted by Allison Hemler, September 8, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 9/3 to 9/11
Posted by Allison Hemler, September 3, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Coffee Chronicles: Behind the Scenes at Counter Culture
Posted by Allison Hemler, September 1, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Recent Favorites
Snapshots From Italy: The Bounty of Calabria
Posted by Gina DePalma, November 12, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Beyond the Ice Cream: The Bent Spoon in Princeton, New Jersey
Posted by Carey Jones, October 27, 2009 at 10:00 AM
The Burger Lab: The Fake Shack
Posted by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, October 16, 2009 at 9:30 AM
The Brunch Dish: Biscuits with Strawberry Butter at Good Enough to Eat
Posted by Nikki Goldstein, October 9, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Guide to Sliders in Northern New Jersey
Posted by Nick Solares, September 11, 2009 at 10:45 AM
A Great Burger by the Beach at The Windmill in Long Branch, New Jersey
Posted by Nick Solares, June 9, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Barista In The Wild, Part 3: Working Toward Coffee Sustainability
Posted by Allison Hemler, June 3, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Meet & Eat: Sam Simon, Hudson Valley Fresh
Posted by Laren Spirer, March 27, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Sugar Rush: Verē Chocolate
Posted by Kathy YL Chan, March 18, 2009 at 4:30 PM
The Only Six-Foot Super Bowl Hero a New Yorker Needs
Posted by Ed Levine, January 29, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Meet & Eat: Tom Mylan, Marlow & Daughters
Posted by Laren Spirer, December 29, 2008 at 12:00 PM
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About Allison Hemler
Website: http://www.notenoughspoons.com
Location: Jersey City, NJ
About: Born and raised in Jersey. Barista, cookbook & recipe cataloguer, food blogger, and aspiring librarian.
Favorite foods: Goat cheese, Greek yogurt, dried cranberries, roasted tomatoes. Pesto gnocchi from Tanti Baci. Macaroni and cheese from Marco & Pepe (downtown Jersey City, NJ). Vegan tiramisu from now-defunct organic vegan restaurant Down to Earth (Red Bank, NJ).
Last bite on earth: A nibble off of buttery corn, preferably covered in all kinds of goodness (like one can find at La Esquina).

just had one of Jack's cookies. while I couldn't discern coffee as an ingredient I was impressed.. I ate it with a glass of water but sure it would pair well with some coffee. btw, what a steal at $1. it's the same size as Pret's cookie for less than half the price.