Cafe Lalo

201 West 83rd Street New York, NY 10024 (212) 496-6031 http://www.cafelalo.com/

Best known as the cafe where Meg Ryan was supposed to meet Tom Hanks in the movie, “You’ve Got Mail”, Cafe Lalo has fast gained popularity, attracting both locals and tourists into its European inspired, charming little cafe. Cafe Lalo is easy to find and is quite pretty, with its perfect location in one of the Upper West Side’s brownstone and tree-lined streets, pretty flowers lining its steps and the tall windows that allow the sun to brightly shine through and within the cafe interior.

Stepping inside though, you will immediately be overwhelmed with the number of cakes and pastries that they offer. More cakes than pastries, it seems that they have more than a hundred cakes in their coolers! Being that, it was quite difficult to actually choose what to try and it took me a while to decide. Finally, I tried the Tres Leches cake and the Capuccino Cheesecake. The Tres Leches had delicious buttery sponge cake moistened with milk and topped with lightly sweetened cream. A nice, simple dessert to satisfy a craving without overindulging. The Capuccino Cheesecake however, was quite ordinary compared to the sinfully luscious Junior’s Cheesecakes that I love.

The vast cake selection is consistent with Cafe Lalo’s menu, offering an array of themed breakfast sets (think Viennesse, Irish, Italian, Swiss, Morroccan and Parisian), eggs cooked in every way possible, salads, sandwiches, soups and beverages (alcoholic, coffee, teas, shakes, smoothies and juices). So many that they will not make it easy for you to choose. However, despite the choices, I cannot say that anything I have tried in the cafe (whether salad, smoothie, bread or cakes) got my attention or made me forget my name. On top of that, I find the food and desserts quite pricey for the taste as well as the portions ($7 for a small slice of cheesecake or a simple smoothie). Lastly, an important thing to note is that Cafe Lalo does not accept anything but cash, which I only found out as I was paying. No signs on the door or on the menu – something that may be quite inconvenient for customers who frequently use their debit or credit cards to pay.

On the positive side, Cafe Lalo has good service and a great selection that you will always find something you may be interested in trying out. Unfortunately, I believe it is the ambience that you pay for the most and which may not be something that is attractive or satisfying to most customers like me. Will I be back? Yes, I probably will, to have dessert and coffee once in a while and enjoy this lovely little place. And believe me - it will take a long, long time before I get to try even half of their cakes.

The Bread Factory Cafe

785 Lexington Avenue New York, NY (212) 355- 5729 http://www.breadfactorycafe.com/

Intrigued by this cafe chain (with locations on 7th and 9th Avenues), I passed by the one along Lexington Avenue, which was packed with people enjoying brunch. Seemingly like many other cafe or deli chains in Manhattan that offers pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and salads, what called my attention to The Bread Factory Cafe was their store window decked with delicious looking cakes and pastries. And I love delicious looking cakes and pastries!

Obviously a busy cafe, all tables were taken with people enjoying their meals and the friendly staff were efficiently taking orders from the line by the take out counter. The set-up, products and vibe were indeed very similar to the usual Manhattan cafe or deli chain, what I found different was the immense selection of Breads, Cakes, Pastries, Pies, Rolls and Tarts as well as traditional cakes like Babka and Hamantaschen.

I was so tempted to try out the cakes and pastries, but being “The Bread Factory” I opted to try bread instead and ordered the Semolina Loaf. A bit worried at first that the Semolina Loaf did not look like the usual ones that I knew of from Amy’s Bread and Orwasher’s, being covered in sesame seeds (that kind of reminded me of a hamburger bun) I was not sure that this would not be something I would enjoy.

Surprisingly though, it was moist and soft, slightly buttery with a tender texture and the nutty taste of semolina. I toasted some slices and had these with butter and then with my Orange Apricot Marmalade from Sarabeth’s, which I found pleasing. However, with the price of $4 per loaf, I cannot help myself but compare with Amy’s and Orwasher’s, bake shops that make bread that I am completely in love with - at the same price.

So what do I think of The Bread Factory Cafe? It is definitely an option if you want to have a wide selection of Breads, Cakes and Pastries and are in search of something quick and inexpensive. But when it comes to bread...I would highly recommend artisanal breads to satisfy, especially for those who are passionate about and take pleasure in having their bread.

C'est Bon Cafe

120 East 57th Street New York, New York 10022 (212) 888-7272. http://www.cafecestbon.com/.

Looking for a nearby place to have brunch, my girl friends and I decided to try out C’est Bon Cafe, just a few steps from my friend’s apartment. What looked like a simple little cafe with breads, pastries and coffee turned out to be a large cafe and deli with a full service restaurant.

The first thing you see as you walk in is a pastries and coffee area, where baked goods such as cupcakes, muffins, macaroons, cakes and breads are displayed. The breads, to my delight, were made by Ceci-Cela (my favourite little patisserie by Spring Street)! I asked the staff if all the other cakes and pastries were made by Ceci-Cela as well and unfortunately, he didn’t know. My guess though is that the rest of the cakes and pastries were supplied by someone else or baked by the store since they didn’t have the Ceci-Cela tags on them. The cupcakes, which were so large they looked like mini-cakes, looked a bit too sweet and were available in flavours such as Chocolate Chip Fudge or Cookie Dough. Maybe something to try when you’re craving for an intensely sinful treat.

The Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake and New York Cheesecake looked really good though so I thought to try these out. Aside from the very expensive slice at $4 for the tiniest slice I have ever been served in NY, the Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake was quite delicious! The cake was very moist, slightly buttery, but nicely sweetened with cinnamon and brown sugar and textured with walnuts. The New York Cheesecake was creamy and luscious too...but then again for the $4 price for such a small slice, maybe not that worth it.

What was interesting though, was that C’est Bon’s ground floor actually has its own deli that serves fresh juice and smoothies, artisan breads, bagels and rolls that you may opt have with made to order eggs, and a bar where you may create your own pastas, sandwiches and salads. On the second floor is actually a restaurant that serves Woodburning Brick Oven Pizza in traditional Neopolitan Style.

An interesting place with a lot of choices, C’est Bon is fairly new and still evolving. From what I have read, it opened a few years ago at 55th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenue but closed as they lost the space. This new Midtown location just opened this year. A cross between a bake shop, deli and restaurant, C’est Bon definitely has potential but it has yet to distinguish itself from the likes of quick service Deli’s such as Oxford Cafe, Pax or Cafe Metro...or maybe evolve into a Patisserie? Let’s wait and see.

Buttercup Bake Shop

East Side 973 2nd Avenue New York, NY 10022 (212) 350-4144. West Side 141 West 72nd Street New York, NY 10023 (212) 787-3800. www.buttercupbakeshop.com

Buttercup was the very first bake shop that I visited in New York because it was part of an article forwarded to me by a good friend on the best 15 cupcake places in NYC and, honestly, because it was the nearest bake shop from our apartment.

Nevertheless, Buttercup is a bake shop I still frequent even after trying other talked about places – Magnolia, Chikalicious, Crumbs... save for Two Little Red Hens and Billy’s, Buttercup is another favorite for wonderful cakes and cupcakes. I loved their goodies so much that I would walk through rain, the biting cold, harsh wind and snow (yes, even during snow storms) just to treat myself and friends to their lovely cupcakes and cakes.

Within the small space that they occupy along 2nd Avenue, Buttercup is a heaven for cupcake aficionados like me as this wonderful place whips up a wide array of freshly baked cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, pies, bundts, puddings, trifles, brownies and squares that don’t just look good but really taste good too.

My favorite cupcakes: Red Velvet (lovely with a hint of cocoa topped with cream cheese frosting), Lemon (made with fresh lemon juice and zest topped with lemon buttercream), Buttercup Golden (with Vanilla or Chocolate Icing), Hummingbird (fruity cake with bananas, pineapple and pecans topped with cream cheese icing), German Chocolate (with a coconut pecan filling), Lady Baltimore (almond-flavored white cake filled with coconut, candied cherries, cookie crumbs and almonds and frosted with meringue). Yes, I will admit that these are most of their cupcakes...I must say I like almost everything that they make. And by the way, they make these in layered cake versions too that are just as moist and luscious but with more layers of icing.

So what else is there to say about Buttercup? That owner Jennifer Appel (who was part of the team that created Magnolia Bakery) has created cake heaven through Buttercup. That it deserves praises it has received from New Yorkers, including celebrities such as Martha Stewart, amongst others. That it is indeed one of the best bake shops in Manhattan. That is definitely a must to visit this place to try out these delectable treats!

NOTE: All photos are from Buttercup Bake Shop's published photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/buttercupny

Andre's Cafe

1631 2nd Avenue New Yor, NY 10028 (212) 327-1105. www.andrescafeny.com.

Discovering Andre’s Cafe was by “accident” while my husband and I were on our way to lunch in one of the Upper East Side restaurants by 2nd Avenue. It was difficult to notice this Hungarian Bakery and Restaurant alongside the great number of restaurants and shops on 2nd Avenue but what grabbed my attention was the display of deliciously looking pies, breads and pastries! We just had to stop and walk in.

I am glad we did. Once inside, we discovered a nice, cozy place with very friendly staff that was nice enough to answer our questions. Not being very familiar to Hungarian pastries, I was surprised to see that most of the desserts, albeit foreign sounding, looked quite familiar. And yes, delicious! There was a whole shelf of heavenly smelling Strudels (Cherry and Cheese, Poppy Seed, Cabbage and Apple-the best seller, which also has a sugar free version), Cakes and Rolls (Chocolate Mousse, Rumball, Chocolate Raspberry, Mocha Apricot, Chestnut, Hazelnut), Pies (Apple, Cherry and Blueberry), and many other breads and pastries (Rugelach, Linzer Tarts, Croissants, Danish and Croissants).

We finally settled with a slice of Cherry and Cheese Strudel (a huge slice for $6) and a Dobos Torte (a slice of butter cake with generous layers of smooth chocolate icing topped with another layer of crunchy caramelized sugar). The Strudel (which must be served hot from the oven) had a very flaky and buttery crust, the cheese filling creamy with sweet juicy cherry bits that provide flavour and texture. Sinfully delicious! The Dober Torte had a moist cake, the velvety chocolate not too sweet, and the caramelized top slightly bitter... so luscious! I really found these delicious! What a nice break from the usual cupcakes, pies and pastries I have been having.

Researching on Andre’s Cafe, many of the reviews I see were similar as mine – that it was discovered by accident, while passing through 2nd Avenue en route to another place, but a place that customers enjoyed and highly recommend. How unfortunate that this wonderful place, opened way back in 1976, remains quietly within its little cozy nook waiting for passersby to discover it. I have not read much about it from the usual NY Magazine or Time Out New York pics. Sadly, the website does not have much information either. With good prices, very warm and friendly service, delicious baked products and a restaurant that has also received good reviews for their authentic Hungarian entrees, Andre’s Cafe is most definitely a heavenly find!

Glaser's Bakery

87th and 1st Avenue New York, NY (212) 289 -2562. www.glaserbakery.com

An institution within the Yorkville area, German-owned Glaser’s Bakery first opened its doors to sell freshly baked breads more than 100 years ago. Still at the same location today, Glaser’s now produces an assortment of baked products and is best known for making birthday cakes in a variety of designs, flavors and fillings.

The blue painted brick store front with simply decorated windows gives off an old fashioned bakery feel consistent with the interior. Stepping inside the dimly lit bake shop, you will immediately see layers of breads, cakes, pies, cupcakes, pastries and cookies. No tables, chairs or coffee counters, bright lights or brightly painted walls that are common to the usual bake shop or cafe, Glaser’s is straightforward - there to sell freshly baked goods without any fuss.

Albeit the no-nonsense feel within Glaser’s, it was still difficult to choose what pastries to try because there were a lot to choose from and everything looked good. I finally settled for a Pecan Swirl, and Almond Swirl and a mini Lemon Meringue Pie.

The Pecan Swirl was really scrumptious, moist and a bit sweet, sinfully buttery but definitely delicious. The Almond Swirl however was a bit too sweet, unbearably sweet that I could not finish it. Can you just imagine how sweet it was that I, a lover of almonds and certified a sweet tooth, could not finish it? The Lemon Meringue Pie looked promising, with a tall layer of marshmallow icing topping a creamy lemon filling on a firm pie crust. Unfortunately though, it was also a little too sweet, and disappointingly lacking the tart lemon taste I usually look for from lemon pastries.

It was to me that Glaser’s baked products are as simple and straightforward as their store. No frills and fancy settings, this is a place you may head to when you want a friendly neighborhood bake shop to quickly pacify your sweet cravings with their vast choice of breads, cakes and pastries. Though these may not be the best in Manhattan (the Pecan swirl is quite promising though) I have tried, they seem to have everything you may possibly crave for. There is a reason why Glaser’s has been around all this time...and it was definitely worth the visit!

The Bagel Mill

1700 1st Avenue New York, NY 10128 (212) 426-0868.

Apparently closed for a while because of a big fire that consumed the entire store, The Bagel Mill at Yorkville has re-opened with much bigger space. I have read very mixed reviews about this place – from excited loyalists who could not wait for their favorite place to open to disappointed former lovers who found the bagels to be "not the same". Since I have not read anything absolutely negative about it (and in fact most reviews were very positive), I wandered off to the Bagel Mill and tried it out.

It is indeed quite a spacious bagel place (more of a deli actually) not extremely big but not tight as most bagel places I have been to at Midtown and the Upper East Side. Even with a bit of a line, the service is quick, the staff is efficient and there are not many people sitting on the tables as most order to go.

The Bagel Mill is a smaller version of Tal, also within the area, but with a much friendlier staff. With a good variety of heavenly smelling bagels (Sesame, Poppy, Onion, Garlic and Whole Wheat Pumpernickel), huge muffins (Apple Cinnamon, Lemon Poppy, Chocolate Chop, Orange Cranberry and Banana Nut), and nice looking pastries (cookies and croissants). The bagel spread choices all look delicious, from cream cheese to lox spread, it took me a while to decide what I wanted.

Finally, I had an Onion Bagel with Chicken Mayo Spread and a Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin. The Onion Bagel was really chewy and moist, not tough and dry like some of the bagels I have tasted. The creamy Chicken Mayo Spread was made of chicken breast and asparagus chunks complemented my Onion Bagel well and which I found delicious! I did not expect it, but the Lemon Poppy Seen Muffin tasted good, soft and crumbly with a slight tangy Lemon taste and wonderful texture from the poppy seeds.

I find The Bagel Mill to be a comfortable neighborhood food shop. Unpretentious and efficient, with the various choices of freshly baked bagels, breads and pastries, the delicious spreads, the friendly staff and the good price (for the good-sized portions), this is certainly a place you know you can go to for a light meal any time of the day and satisfy a grumbling tummy!

CBK Cookies

337 East 81st Street New York, NY 10028 (212) 794-3383 http://www.cbkcookies.com/.

It was through NY Magazine’s Critic’s Pick list that I discovered CBK Cookies, which stands for the creator's name, Cynthia Bruce Kramer. Wanting to leave her career in the hotel business back in 1988, she started to bake cookies, making her own original recipes in a small kitchen with friends and family as her customers. Said to be her then well-loved creations were chocolate truffles, key limes, and mint juleps.

Today, CBK Cookies is no longer a little kitchen business but a famous NY bake shop at the Upper East Side that serves its customers by appointment only and whose clients include The Plaza, Tiffany's Lincoln Center and The American Museum of Natural History. It has also been mentioned as the "Butter Cream of the Crop" by New York Magazine (http://www.nymag.com/) and "A Martha Stewart's Dream" by Zagat (http://www.zagat.com/).

Current famous fancy Cookies are the Chocolate Chips, Almond Crescents, Pecan Sandies, Chocolate Truffles, Key Lime Flowers, Bittersweet Chocolate Pecan, Raspberry Linzer Hearts, which are baked from the freshest ingredients and come in a box ($25 per pound) or on a party tray ($42.50 per pound). CBK also creates Vanilla or Chocolate Cakes (priced at $75 for a single Layer Cake and $150 for a Double Layer Cake) and Cupcakes (prices start at $2 each for regular-sized ones and minis at $1.00 each, with minimum orders) delicately designed for special occasions, whether for Birthdays, Christmas, Weddings, Baptisms or Showers.

Before I realised its “By Appointment Only” policy, I tried to walk to CBK Cookies to sample some of its most famous products. And yes, I was disappointed that it was closed when I got there. Not to be dissuaded, I am writing about CBK as I have heard it to be one of the best palate pleasers of Manhattan. I am merely waiting for an opportunity and a reason to place an order and serve these supposedly wonderfully sumptuous cookies. I cannot wait to share how this experience will be and see if the price and exclusivity will all be worth it.

Alice's Tea Cup

Chapter I 102 West 73rd Street New York, NY 10023. Chapter II 156 East 64th Street New York, NY 10021. Chapter III 220 East 81st Street New York, NY 10028. (212) 743-4TEA. http://www.alicesteacup.com/.

Just as the name suggests, Alice’s Tea Cup is a unique little place to enjoy breakfast or afternoon tea with friends. Offering a very wide variety of unusual and fresh green, white, black, red, and herbal teas, such as Sessa (a sweet, smooth and hearty Assam tea) and Mauritius (broken tea leaves from Mauritius with a hint of vanilla and a strong tea taste) they also have an offering of scones (served with cream and preserves), cookies, cakes and sandwiches to complement your choice of tea. Or if you prefer, they also have soups, salads, crepes and hearty sandwiches for a heavier brunch or lunch.

What is unique about Alice’s Tea Cup is that they cater to both adults and children. Again, just thinking about the name Alice makes one recall the famous adventure story and Alice's Tea Cup tries to provide that kind of experience - bringing you to a different world. From the outside, it looks like an ordinary restaurant or bake shop. But when you step in, you will discover a place decorated with little picture frames, fairy wings and colorful, animated wall paintings. Along with the baked goodies, there are also a lot of items for gift-giving such as tea pots, cups, books, little dresses, fairy wings, necklaces and many more. They all looked pretty to me because most were in pastel shades and pink – my favourite color!

Parties may also be held at Alice’s Tea Cup, where kids may have their own tea party  (yes, they have decaffeinated tea and small portions just for kids) while wearing their little fairy wings, provided by the owners. I happened to see a table of adorable kids enjoying tea and biscuits while I was there. Something that made me smile and remember my own childhood, playing with my sisters with our tea sets and doll houses.

When it comes to the baked goodies, Alice’s Tea Cup did not disappoint. The Pumpkin Scone with caramel frosting (one of their best sellers) that I had with cream and blueberry jam was deliciously moist and yummy. I also tried the decadent Banana Cake with Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting – I don’t think I have to describe this one in detail because it is as delicious as how you may imagine it to be with that kind of name.

Alice’s Tea Cup is an interesting place and, with such an atmosphere, one that kids and adults alike may really enjoy. There is no question that tea and their baked products, which are delicious, are their specialties. I enjoyed nibbling on these sweets, wished I had more time to sit down and properly have tea, and appreciated the thought the owners put into making this place special. Certainly a place that will make you feel comfortable albeit, a little bit too mixed up – somehow a restaurant, tea salon, gift shop and a bake shop without any theme sticking out in particular. Nevertheless, it is a fairy tale heaven for kids and kids at heart, and brings back a lot of good childhood memories. Not a place I would frequent now but maybe when the time comes that I have my own little ones to entertain or have tea with.

La Bergamote Patisserie

Chelsea 169 9th Avenue New York, NY, 10011, (212) 627-9010. Clinton 515 West 52nd. Street New York, Ny, 10019, (212) 586-2429. http://www.labergamotenyc.com/.

One of the bake shops that I have read a lot of good reviews about is La Bergamote Patisserie. Opened in 1998 by Executive Pastry Chef Stephane Willemin and Managing Director Romain Lamaze in Chelsea, they have now expanded and opened a new location at the Clinton area. What makes La Bergamote successful, according to their website, is their consistent product quality and use of fresh ingredients. According to customers, it is the consistently delicious food and heavenly pastries, the nice ambience and the good service by their friendly staff.

Dropping by to check La Bergamote at their Chelsea location, I was immediately greeted by an array of delicious-looking fruit pies and tarts. As I moved into the bake shop, there were more luscious and decadent looking miniature cakes (not your typical bake shop ones but more extravagant concoctions), colourful macaroons, and an assortment of freshly baked breads (brioches, croissants, baguettes and many more).

Again, trying not to overdo my orders, I opted to try a Raspberry Brioche and several small tarts and pastries – a Kiwi Fruit tart, a Chocolate & Hazelnut layered square and a mini Vanilla Cream Eclair. Not surprised, all turned out to be delicious little pastries! The Chocolate & Hazelnut layered square had a slightly bitter chocolate and bits of hazelnut that made each bite so sumptuous. The kiwi fruit tart had a crust that was firm but had a slightly buttery taste. The Vanilla Cream Eclair had a creamy filling embedded in a crusty pastry. The Raspberry Brioche was moist with a delightfully sweet and fruity topping.

These were wonderful little creations and I can imagine how the regular sized versions must taste like. Prices are a bit on the high side compared to other bake shops in the areas well as patisseries I have been to in NYC. But not exaggeratedly so. The miniature bite-sized pastries were $1.75 a piece and the brioche at $3.40. But I recommend that if you want a treat and want to enjoy delectable cakes, pies, pastries or viennioseries in a comfortable, casual (quiet was how I would describe the Chelsea location) atmosphere, then La Bergamote is the place to go.

Oh yes, and I have heard that they serve wonderful breakfast and coffee as well. Some recommendations are the Mushroom Tartine and Eggs Benedict. Of course, I have to try their Almond Croissant. I will definitely be back... this time for breakfast!

Sarabeth's Bakery

Chelsea Market 75 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10011. www.sarabeth.com.

I learned of Sarabeth’s from a good friend who introduced us to this lovely bake shop and restaurant at the Upper East Side. Since then, Sarabeth’s has become one of my favourite brunch places here in New York because of the consistently good service, charming ambience and sumptuous dishes. Long lines are quite common, but my husband and I try to go early to enjoy brunch while seated by the large open windows overlooking Madison Avenue.

Sarabeth with husband Bill Levine opened a tiny bakery-kitchen to make and sell her preserves and baked goods back in 1981. Becoming a success, Sarabeth’s eventually opened at the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side, serving full meals and her delicious baked products. Today, Sarabeth’s is also located at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Central Park South and Key West, with a bakery at the Chelsea Market.

While the Chelsea Market location does not quite have the charm and variety of Sarabeth’s restaurants (as well as the usually friendly staff), the baked goods are still consistently delightful and offers her best selling preserves, said to have the reputation of being “the finest fruit spreads and jams in the gourmet industry”. Must try’s I recommend are the Ginger Pecan Tart (a yummy nutty tart made with gingerbread crust), the crusty Rugelach (made from cream cheese based dough rolled with raspberry jam, ground walnuts cinnamon, chocolate and raisins), the Budapest or Lemon Buttermilk Bundt Cake, and of course, the very delicious jams. My personal favorite is the Orange Apricot Marmalade which I usually have with Sarabeth’s airy and buttery croissants or soft and crumbly scones.

While there is no question that Sarabeth makes one of the most delectable breads, cakes and pastries (not to mention brunch dishes too) for the most discerning palate and that Sarabeth’s restaurants rarely disappoint, the Chelsea Market Bakery could certainly have more of the ambience and good service of Sarabeth’s restaurants as well as a better assortment of freshly baked products. It was unfortunate that I, along with tourists who were dining at Sarabeth’s bakeshop at the Chelsea location who also wanted to take some pictures, was waved away with a curt “no pictures!” by the staff. Will I be back there? Probably not. But I will definitely continue to frequent the Upper East Side location where we always enjoy every dining experience.