Moge Tee Cheese Rose Oolong Tea with Boba: I passed by Moge Tee on Christmas evening and was surprised to find a bubble tea shop open at 10pm. They were out of their normal milk teas, so I got one of these cheese-foam options, which seems to be growing in popularity at bubble tea shops more generally. The rose oolong tea, at a quarter sweetness, had a pleasantly floral flavor that still tasted strongly of oolong tea, and the boba had a quality springiness without being overly soft. I think the cheese flavor didn't work consuming t... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended boba bubbletea manhattan nyc mogetee cheese rose oolong tea 3.5
Leonelli Focacceria E Pasticceria Pumpkin ricotta cheesecake: An accomplished dessert sandwich with a crispy base, smooth and creamy ricotta and pumpkin cheesecake, and toasted marshmallow (my favorite part). Memorable seasonal dessert from Flatiron-based pastry shop. 4.0/5.0
recommended dessert nyc pastry marshmallow leonellifocacceriaepasticceria pumpkin ricotta cheesecake 4.0
Leonelli Focacceria E Pasticceria Eggnog Mousse: Decorated eggnog mousse coated with a spiced red icing, a ribbon of white chocolate, and topped with a pompom, all sitting on a short biscuit base. Impressively executed. Overall a bit rich but fine if sharing. Hiding inside is a caramel colored filling tasting of nutmeg. 3.5/5.0
recommended eggnog mousse 3.5 nyc leonellifocacceriaepasticceria
Wilklow Orchards Apple Cider Donuts: I bought some apples from the Green Market over the weekend and came across Wilklow Orchards apple cider donuts. Apple cider donuts are a seasonal dessert popular in the Northeast, especially at apple orchards. I've never actually had them before, so I was excited to try them, and at 60 cents each, they were wallet friendly. The donuts came in two offerings: coated in sugar, and without coating. I purchased the one without sugar, which I think was the way to go, as it was sweet enough. ... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended sweets applecider nyc wilkloworchards apple cider Donuts 3.5
Grocers Bottling Co Celery Soda: I've been finding it hard to write snack reviews recently, mostly because I haven't had the time to seek out specialty items that excite me and motivate me to keep writing. But I finally made it out to Court St Grocers in Carroll Gardens this weekend. I've been meaning to check out Court St Grocers ever since I tried their excellent soda offerings at BYGGYZ (RIP), my formerly favorite sandwich shop in NYC. Unfortunately, BYGGYZ didn't have all Grocers Bottling Co (a spin-out from Court St... (read more) 4.5/5.0
exceptional drinks brooklyn nyc courtstgrocers grocersbottlingco celery soda 4.5
Shake Shack Hanukoncrete: This special edition custard from the Shake Shack is available until December 14th and consists of vanilla custard, pieces of donut from The Doughnut Project, and a strawberry syrup, all topped with powdered sugar. The powdered sugar felt like an unnecessary flourish as the dessert was sweet enough without it, but the combination of donut, rich vanilla custard, and sharp and tangy strawberry was surprisingly delicious. The best part was definitely the vanilla custard, which was very smooth. 3.5/5.0
recommended nyc dessert icecream custard donut strawberry shakeshack hanukoncrete 3.5