Just Occupied...

Demel at the Plaza

Work was busier than expected for the last two weeks, which is a very, very good thing. I haven't had much time to update here, but have been posting on Serious Eats New York, in addition to cleaning my room (closet explosion), and eating far too much cake and gelato. Guess what? I'm flying home to Hawai'i next week! A two-week, warm weather trip to be with family, friends, and my dog, Buddy. I plan to fill those sunny days with mochi, shave ice, chicken katsu, avocado milkshakes, malassadas, mushrooms, and lau lau. Maybe even have a tea party!

Till then, here's what I've been up to:

1. $1.25 bag of sponge cake in Chinatown - this discovery Robyn and I made at Hon Cafe on Mott Street made us absolutely giddy with delight. A closer shot by Robyn. Hopefully you've had this type of cake at least once in your life...if not, you're missing out! Two hours later we found ourselves at...

Dobostorte

2...Demel inside the Plaza Hotel where cakes run $8 per slice. My Serious Eats New York post can be found here.

Sachertorte

Nothing seems like a good deal after Chinatown ;)

Vanilla Cake, Raspberry Buttercream

3. Butter Lane Cupcakes recently opened up right in my neighborhood. Click here for my Serious Eats New York post. Make sure to ask for the French Buttercream on your cupcake - absolutely lush.

4. Sunday post-Brooklyn Flea Market lunch with Robyn, Mitzy and Ferry at Famous Sichuan (I'm developing great affection for this Pell Street restaurant...it just might become my next go-to Sichuan spot). An hour after this late "lunch," I met up with...

Cured Hamachi, Edamame, Horseradish Puree, Seaweed

5. ...Don, Kathyrn, Dan, Sophia and her friend at Ssäm Bar for dinner. What can I say, good as always :) There are some people you always know you're going to have a good time with no matter where or what you eat...

Pear Sorbet, Pumpkin Ganche, Gorgonzola Dolce

...but everything we eat never fails to be insanely delicious.

Schiacciata Uva with Concord Grapes, Honey and Vanilla Gelato

6. The week before, Don, Kathyrn, Dan and I were at Babbo. Our photos from dinner here...though Kathryn's photos turned out much better :) The best part of the meal? Why, dessert of course! Here's a little blurb on the Schiacciata Uva...my most favourite dessert in recent memory.

Well that's all for now...running out for another cup of coffee...wish my office was in the East Village so I could take my coffee trips at Abraço. Alas, the fellows at the 51st Street Oren's are awfully sweet, so I'm in no place to complain.

P.S.
Super congrats to Zach and his wife with baby Harry! :D

Hon Cafe
70 Mott Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 219-1431

Demel
Lower shopping arcade of the Plaza Hotel
768 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10019

Butter Lane
123 East 7th Street
New York, New York 10009
212-677-2880

Famous Sichuan
10 Pell St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 233-3888

Momofuku Ssäm Bar
207 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10003
(212) 254-3500

Babbo
110 Waverly Place
New York, NY 10011
(212) 777-0303