Doughnuts and Grilled Cheese and Cookies, Oh My!

June 22, 2011 4:01 pm

Doughnuts and Grilled Cheese and Cookies, Oh My!

Last summer, I discovered a TV show that changed my life. I’m not talking about “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Gossip Girl” or “The Hills”; I’m talking about “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” This Food Network show takes you on a journey, exposing you to a few celebrity chefs’ favorite finds. Since I have abstained from eating bread and sugar (I’m no fun, I know) for a full year, I gave my full attention to this 30-minute program to get a taste of the euphoric state these chefs must have been in after chowing down on their favorite foods. This past weekend, I decided it was time to stop teasing myself and indulge in some of New York City’s dangerously delicious cuisine.

My first stop was the Doughnut Plant on the Lower East Side. As an avid fan of PB&J, I was drawn to this shop by their famous Peanut Butter Glaze and Blackberry Jelly doughnut. Go-big-or-go-home, right? Are six doughnuts and a cinnamon bun big enough? I think so. Crème Brulée, Blackout, PB&J, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Chip and Tres Leches sat on the back of my car, waiting to be tasted and critiqued. After thirty minutes of sugary bliss, I was surprised to say that the eye-rolling, tear-producing winner was Carrot Cake. The moist cake doughnut was carefully coated with a cream cheese glaze and flawlessly flaked with sweet, candied carrots and walnuts. It was literally life changing. (Dramatic but true).

Next up on my food crawl was Eli Zabar’s restaurant E.A.T. After Ina Garten brought this next meal to my attention, I knew I would live in painful regret if I did not venture to the Upper East Side to try for myself. Now, ordering a “grilled cheese and tomato soup” may sound like the perfect after-school snack, but this $23 meal was nothing close to your mom’s cooking, and was definitely worth every penny. The buttery, warm and perfectly crisp (but soft) bread grabbed a hold of my taste buds, while the marvelously melted Gruyere took them for a ride (oh, the cheese pull!). The Tuscan Peasant tomato soup was, again, the unexpected star. The silky soup was complemented by soft chunks of bread and freshly grated cheese. Cue second eye-roll of the day.

And last-but-not-least, Levain Bakery. In this tiny, hidden, unsuspecting bakery, I may or may not have had a small breakdown (definitely did). I was asked twice in five minutes if I was going to start crying. This famous chocolate-walnut cookie was warm, chunky, soft, crunchy, salty, sweet, chocolately—hold on, I just drooled. I now know why Levain has been on almost every “top bakery” and “top cookie” list in New York City. When there was no sign of cookie left in front of me, I glanced down at my lonely napkin to find a few smears of chocolate left behind. Should I? Shouldn’t I? I did it; I licked the napkin.

Photo credit: Vorhaus.com

� Written by Zoee Silber

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Tags : Doughnut Plant, E.A.T., Levain Bakery, Zoee Silber