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!

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.

Billy's Bakery

Chelsea 184 9th Avenue (212) 647-9956. Tribeca 75 Franklin Street (212) 647-9958. http://www.billysbakerynyc.com/.

Billy’s Bakery was founded in 2003 by two friends from business school with the goal of providing “classic American baked goods in a warm, friendly atmosphere”. And such is the character of Billy’s, a brightly lit place that, indeed, reminds you of Grandma’s kitchen and where the delicious smell of fresh cakes and pastries from goodies baked on site greets you as soon as you step into the bake shop. Not to mention the friendly staff who make you feel right at home.

A wide variety of scrumptious and lovely looking cakes, cupcakes, pies and pastries adorn the chillers and behind, trays and counters of freshly baked wonderful little sweet things being prepared by the staff. I did my homework and asked friends, who very highly recommended Billy’s, to tell me what their favorites were but it was not easy to pick what I wanted to try from this charming place because everything looked so delightful!

There were layers of beautiful cakes such as Red Velvet and German Chocolate Cake, mouth watering pies such as Apple Crumb and Peanut Butter Chocolate, tempting pastries such as Hello Dollies (bars with graham crackers, chocolate chips, butterscotch, coconut and pecans) and Lemon Bars, creamy Banana Pudding, delectable mini Key Lime and Cherry Cheesecakes, and so many pretty little cupcakes.

I finally settled to trying a slice of Key Lime Pie (my favourite kind of pie), a slice of Pineapple Upside Down Cake and a Carrot Cupcake. Again, do not worry as I did not enjoy all of these in a single sitting. But mind you, I wanted to!

The Key Lime Pie had a thick, creamy lime filling that was slightly tangy and slightly sweet, and was complemented by the slightly buttery gingersnap crust. It was pleasing but I recommend Two Little Red Hen’s Key Lime Pie – really the best Key Lime Pie I have tried so far.

The Pineapple Upside Down cake was wonderfully moist and hinted of vanilla with bits of pineapple and cherries baked within  the cake, and on top, more pineapple and cherries caramelized with golden brown sugar. This one I loved and found very refreshing! A perfect summer cake!

And the Carrot cupcake, which had a creamy cream cheese icing on top and a soft and moist cake made of cinnamon, carrots, coconut, pineapple and pecans, was really wonderful! One of the best carrot cupcakes I have tried too!

If Two Little Red Hens is my cupcake heaven...Billy’s is my cakes and pies heaven! Every time I remember stepping into Billy’s and seeing all these beautiful, delectable freshly baked goodies, I cannot help but feel my mouth water. They definitely deserve receiving my first ever perfect rating. I still can’t forget the luscious looking cakes and pastries and I can’t wait to go back as my goal is to try each and every one of these.  Next on my list would be their “Famous” Chocolate Icebox Cake, the Banana Cream Pie and Caramel Pecan Cheesecake. Billy’s here I come!

Amy's Bread

Hell’s Kitchen 672 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10036 (212) 977-2670. Chelsea Market 75 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10011 (212) 462-4338. The Village 250 Bleecker Street at Leroy Street New York, NY 10014 (212) 675-7802. http://www.amysbread.com/.

There are numerous bake shops to explore Manhattan, but one of the most interesting that I have read about is Amy’s Bread. Choosing among its various locations, I decided to head to the Chelsea Market, where each trip has always been fun for me because I find many interesting food stuff to buy. Not to mention great wine too!

Launched in 1992 by Amy Scherber, Amy’s Bread started as small store on Ninth Avenue in NYC’s Hell's Kitchen. Today, the bakery has over 150 employees and three retail stores including one at the Chelsea Market, where most of the breads are baked, and at The Village.

Stepping in the bright and busy Chelsea Market store, I immediately got excited (as I always do) when I see a wonderful selection of lovely looking, delightfully smelling bread. After all, Amy became famous for her Semolina with Golden Raisins and Fennel bread – as the kind staff who assisted me at the store explained.

So I quickly chose several delicious and interesting breads to try: Potato Onion Dill Bread, Black Olive Twist, Brioche, and Semolina with Golden Raisins and Fennel (of course I had to try what made them famous). Before paying I I knew I had to have something sweet so I also asked for the Sticky Buns (they claim these to be NY’s best). Since I wanted variety without overeating, I was happy to discover that most of their breads have the roll versions that are equally as good. The prices of the rolls and twists, compared to many bake shops I have been to, are quite reasonable at $0.55 to $1.60 a piece.

And they were quite scrumptious! The Potato Onion Dill Bread made from potato and unbleached flour had a crisp crust but a deliciously dense and soft buttery inside. The Black Olive Twist had an intensely chewy crust deliciously baked with the salty twist of olives in the center. The Sticky Buns had a wonderful caramel pecan topping on chewy bread that tastes of cinnamon and butter. Everything smelled good and tasted good!

But what surprised me the most was the Semolina with Golden Raisins and Fennel roll. This round golden brown bread sprinkled with crunchy semolina looked interesting, but the burst of flavour as soon as I chewed into the moist and chewy bread from the fennel mixed with the sweet golden raisins was wonderfully unexpected! I have never experienced and tasted this kind of bread before - certainly interesting and unforgettable.

Friendly staff? Check. Delicious, chewy, flavourful bread? Check. Variety of breads, cakes and pastries with a number of unusually interesting choices? Check. Reasonable prices? Check. A nice, laid back atmosphere? Check. Amy’s Bread certainly deserves the reputation it has gained for wonderful breads and pastries. Certainly a place I will frequent and highly recommend to friends. And yes, they do offer more than just breads - they serve sandwiches, salads, breakfast food and cater too!

Three Tarts

164 9th Avenue New York, NY 10011. (212) 462-4392. www.threetarts.com.

I found Three Tarts Bakery while exploring the quaint Chelsea area, on my way to the Chelsea Market. What caught my attention were the very pretty window displays of adorable little flowering plants and cute little boxes on one side and pastries on trays and more cute packaging materials on the other. Interestingly too, one could easily see inside the store which drew my attention to the various colourful items displayed and the array of wonderful looking pastries.

Stepping in I find a boutique with a selection of giftware such as bottles, paper materials, mugs, teas and tea sets. Of course what caught my attention was the counter with a selection of miniature bite sized desserts of unusual and interesting flavours, shapes and colors. They all looked beautiful!

There were cookies with nuts, dipped in chocolate and spiced with cardamom, tarts with honey caramel and pine nuts, kumquat and lemon curd with meringue filling that all looked yummy, creamy looking parfaits in petite cups, luscious-looking truffles in bowls and pastel-colored delicate-looking mallows... and much more! To pair with these sweet treats were in-house specialty drinks such as Lemonade with Wildflower Honey, Limeade with Agave, Chai Latte and Pear Cider.

What did I try? The tarts of course...and the almond cookies! I must say that the tarts had delicious crusts, crisp but did not crumble. The flavours were refreshing, the Lemon Curd with a delicate meringue cookie on top was perfectly tangy and the Kumquat-infused almond frangipane was smooth and sweet. The almond cookies were just a bit too sugary and hard for me since I like my cookies moist and chewy...but would be perfect for those who love crisp and tasty cookies.

As I got home I decided to do a little research about Three Tarts and found out that it was created by a group of girls who were classmates at the Institute of Culinary Education (I.C.E.) here in NYC, and that the name came from the girls’ nickname back in school - “Three Tarts.” Visiting their website will lead you to discover that they have more merchandise for sale, gift sets and boxes of pastries – all with the same delicate, exquisite and elegant look.

What’s great about Three Tarts is that the desserts are in miniature pieces at affordable prices. Cookies are $.70 to $1.70 and tarts at $1.50 each. There are a variety of specialty desserts and would be perfect for people who want to savor delectable treats and eat pretty little things that are not overwhelming to one’s sight and tummy. The cookies and pastries in the fine looking boxes are perfect gifts for special occasions, and giving these you can be confident that they will taste as good as they look.

Ceci-Cela Patisserie

55 Spring Street New York, NY 10012 (212)274-9179 http://www.cecicelanyc.com/.

I discovered Ceci-Cela Patisserie by reading through NY Magazine’s critic’s pick list of Bake Shops. Founded by pastry chef Laurent Dupal, who was trained at the prestigious Compagnons du Devoir du Tour de France, this charming little shop in SoHo has been creating the most delectable pastries using the best ingredients in the highest artisanal quality in New York for 15 years now. More recently, Chef Dupal has expanded his business into a full-range online wholesale operation where he will accommodate special requests and together with his staff, will make new creations just for you.

Chef Dupal’s core product line is known collectively as Viennoiserie, these Croissants, Pains Aux Chocolats, Chaussons Aux Pommes, Pains Aux Raisins, and Brioches are delicately made by using only 100% pure butter, the best flours and complimentary ingredients. To complement the Viennoiserie, Ceci-Cela also offers luscious cakes with an array of textures and flavor combinations that include Poire William, Fraisier, and Black Forest, as well as other traditional items such as Quiches, Flans and crumbly butter crust Tarts filled with delicious Crème Patissière, and topped with fresh sweet fruit such as raspberries, kiwi, and strawberries.






The very simple, nondescript store front of Ceci-Cela along Spring Street and the small, unfussy space inside are the complete opposites of the splendid quality of coffee, cakes and pastries that this little gem of a place serves. And despite the number of people who walked in the store to buy coffee and pastries while I was excitedly deciding what to try, the man at the counter was kind enough to entertain my quick questions on what the must-tries in the store were.

 After a tough decision, I settled for buying an Almond Chocolate Croissant (I was informed was the best seller, $3.75), a Caramelized Pear Tart ($5.25), a Financier ($3.00) and a cup of skim Cafe Mocha ($3.75).

The Cafe Mocha, had a creamy cocoa taste that I found delicious and being not too sweet, perfectly complemented my Almond Chocolate Croissant. A perfect combination of the two of my most favourite ingredients – chocolate and croissant- the Almond Chocolate Croissant had a generous amount of crunchy almond slivers on top and was flaky on the outside, while remaining perfectly soft and moist with a creamy chocolate filling inside. A lover of almond croissants, this is the best I have tried in and outside of New York.

The Caramelized Pear Tart had a delicate pastry that melts in your mouth topped with a moist pear slice slightly sweetened and spiced with cinnamon. While the Financier, an Almond flour-based tea cake topped fresh berries, was crusty on the outside and moist on the inside with surprising bits of almond to enhance your experience with each bite.

How did I find Ceci-Cela’s pastries? Scrumptious and definitely heavenly!!!

Though the store is simple and too small to eat at, reviews of Ceci-Cela having “exquisite concoctions” and “impossibly delicious pastries” do not exaggerate. With an array of mouth-watering cakes and pastries, you will surely find something that will suit what you’re craving for. Either for special occasions or to please your own palate, Ceci-Cela will not disappoint. I have found a new favorite!