Bricolage Crunchy coconut curry beef chips: On principle, I typically don’t write reviews of snacks at sit-down restaurants (my current working definition of a snack is an item that by itself is not a full meal and can be eaten with one hand on the go - I know it doesn’t work for everything I review here, but that’s the best I’ve been able to come up with). But the crunchy coconut curry beef chips from Park Slope-based Vietnamese gastropub Bricolage are too special not to review. Razor-thin slices of beef come in a fun resealable pack... (read more) 5.0/5.0
exceptional jerky meat brooklyn nyc bricolage crunchy coconut curry beef chips 5.0
Leonelli Focacceria e Pasticceria Hazelnut Cookie with Chocolate-Orange Ganache: Partnering with non-profit Cookies 4 Kids, Leonelli in NYC has created their own set of shortbread sandwich cookies, with 100% of the proceeds going towards raising funds for pediatric cancer research. The michelin-shaped cookies are made by hopeful pastry chef Lindsey Bittner, and they are perfectly executed, with the most excellent shortbread I have had anywhere. The cookie yields almost immediately, with a rich, buttery texture that you have to taste to fully appreciate. Inside, the Va... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended nyc bakery chocolate leonellifocacceriaepasticceria cookie chocolate-orange ganache 4.0 hazelnut
Culture Plain frozen yogurt with key lime pie topping: Tart and just sweet enough, this plain frozen yogurt from Culture is a dependably good choice. Their key lime topping features a yummy graham cracker crumble and a drizzle of tart lime syrup. If you prefer citrusy and tart desserts, this one is a winner. 3.5/5.0
recommended nyc froyo culture plain frozen yogurt key lime pie topping 3.5
Mango Mango Mango Sampler: Purchased from the St. Mark's location of asian-dessert-chain Mango Mango, this platter contains a sampling of three different desserts. The first was starchy and slightly too firm glutinous rice balls paired with fresh mango fruit (the latter of which was ripe and sweet). The next was lychee jelly (very sweet and similar to the type you would expect to be at the bottom of a bubble tea) and a scoop of mango ice cream, which was a tad creamy and did not tasting distinctively of mango. The ... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended desserts nyc mochi icecream lychee jelly glutinous fruit asian mangomango mango sampler 3.5
Nohohon Iced Matcha: I was really excited to finally try this small matcha shop on St Marks, where matcha beverages are whisked by hand to order. To judge the quality of the matcha alone, I opted for the iced matcha instead of their lattes. While I enjoyed the experience of entering the small storefront through their traditional Japanese Noren curtain and watching my beverage made, with hot water poured into the whisked matcha with a wooden ladle, the positives end there. The matcha was bitter with no complex... (read more) 1.0/5.0
drinks matcha nyc manhattan nohohon iced 1.0 avoid
Boba Guys Chai tea with boba: A pretty good drink from Boba Guys in Canal Street market, but too sweet even at 30% sugar. Otherwise, a nicely spiced chai. I generally find the boba to be a bit inconsistent from this location. This time, it was overly chewy. 3.0/5.0
drinks nyc bubbletea milktea bobaguys chai tea boba 3.0