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From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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

From Serious Eats: New York

Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 11/27 to 12/4

From Serious Eats: New York

Coffee Chronicles: Coffee's History In America, A Short Primer

From Serious Eats: New York

Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 11/19 to 11/27

From Serious Eats: New York

Coffee Chronicles: Pairing Coffee With Food

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From Serious Eats

Snapshots From Italy: The Bounty of Calabria

From Serious Eats: New York

Beyond the Ice Cream: The Bent Spoon in Princeton, New Jersey

From A Hamburger Today

The Burger Lab: The Fake Shack

From Serious Eats: New York

The Brunch Dish: Biscuits with Strawberry Butter at Good Enough to Eat

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Recent Comments | Response to Comments

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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).

From Talk

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?

From Slice

Openings: Paulie Gee's, Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Though I am sad you won't be in Jersey City, I will DEFINITELY be there opening night.

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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!

From Serious Eats: New York

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??

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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..

From Serious Eats: New York

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!

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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. :)

From Serious Eats

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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.)

From Serious Eats: New York

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.]

From Serious Eats

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.

From Slice

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.

From Talk

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship: The Downtown Edition

I was completely with you on Levain--they dethroned City Bakery for me. But the compost cookie and the chocolate chip cornflake cookie at Milk bar have both recently become my chocolate chip cookies of choice. I can't believe they're not included in your downtown search! The compost might stray too much from classic chocolate chip, but if you're allowing cookies with nuts (or oats), then the chocolate chip cornflake should qualify. Truly, truly outstanding cookie--and a major oversight!

From Slice

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

From Slice

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

From Slice

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

From Slice

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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 :(

From Serious Eats: New York

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. :)

From Serious Eats: New York

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 :)

From Serious Eats: New York

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...;)

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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

From Serious Eats: New York

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)

From Serious Eats: New York

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]"

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

From Serious Eats: New York

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 :(

From Serious Eats: New York

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!

From Serious Eats: New York

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.

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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).