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!