Dominant Culture Yogurt with Rosemary Sorbet: When asked for recommendations for where to eat in NYC, I always bring up Chikalicious, a dessert bar in the East Village where $18 gets you a prix fixe tasting of fine-dining-level desserts, always served by the industrious and humble pastry chef Chika Tillman. She and her husband have been offering to-go treats at a separate pop-up on the edge of Tompkin Square Park, including churro cone ice cream that I've previously reviewed. Now they're planning a yogurt shop called Dominant Culture an... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended nyc chikalicious dominantculture yogurt rosemary sorbet 4.0
Vive la Tarte Almond croissant : I had high expectations after having the excellent orange blossom croissant from Vive la Tarte in SF, but this almond croissant was less successful for a few reasons. The almond paste filling, while substantial, was wet enough to render the pastry a bit soggy, and the filling combined with the powdered sugar was very sweet overall. Quite large for a croissant, but also more expensive than your typical local bakery at a little over $4. You could taste the quality of the individual ingredients... (read more) 3.0/5.0
bakery sf sanfrancisco vivelatarte almond croissant 3.0
Vive la Tarte Zatar and Orange Blossom Croissant: I really wish I had taken a better photograph, but you'll just have to believe this was a supremely good croissant even if the photo doesn't do it justice. The orange blossom paste filling was fragrantly floral and just sweet enough, while the zatar and sesame seasoning on the exterior gave it a uniquely savory-sweet combination. The texture of the croissant was the flakiest I've had, while the interior was very soft and just a tad stretchy, without being overly buttery or rich. It was a ... (read more) 4.0/5.0
exceptional croissants pastry sanfrancisco vivelatarte zatar orange blossom croissant 4.0
Daily Provisions Citrus Lemonade: There aren't many things more summery than a classic lemonade. Add a slice of orange, and it polishes off a well balanced sweet and tangy drink ideal for humid weather. From Daily Provisions near Union Square Park in NYC. 4.0/5.0
recommended drinks lemonade dailyprovisions citrus 4.0
People's Pop Melon Basil Popsicle: I got this popsicle from NYC-based frozen treat brand People's Pop for free at a pop-up. It had a refreshing concentrated cantaloupe flavor whose natural sweetness was complemented by fresh aromatic basil. A sweet and just a tad savory combination that worked really well in the summer heat. 4.0/5.0
recommended frozen cantaloupe sweets peoplespop melon basil popsicle 4.0
Baked in Brooklyn Sour Cream and Onion Pita Chips: I fittingly bought these pita chips from Foodtown in Brooklyn. I liked them overall - they tasted a bit like garlic bagel bites but with a slightly tangy flavor that gives sour cream and onion its character. The pita chips are what you expect: hearty and thickly cut. A healthier yet similarly tasty alternative to sour cream and onion potato chips. 3.5/5.0
recommended bakedinbrooklyn sour cream onion pita chips 3.5