Birthday cake truffles, cereal milk ice cream, compost cookies... need I say more?!

Momufuku Milk Bar
207 Second Ave. (the entrance is actually on 13th Street)

A must try for any New Yorker! Great for picking up a quick treat on a walk or way home from a date night!

If you're heading here for the first time, it's best to go with a group of at least 3-4 people so you can order a bunch of treats and sample {almost} everything!

Here's what I'd recommend for your first visit:
(Oh trust me, you'll be going back!)


Compost cookie ($1.85)
-Made up with potato chips, butterscotch, pretzels, oats and chocolate chips! But it really just tastes like the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookie you've ever had! Oopps.. just realized there's coffee grinds in it.. Thought I'd let you know in case that matters :)

'Sampler' ice cream platter - small cups of all four flavors! ($6)
-The grasshopper and candy bar pie flavors tied for first place! And the cereal milk flavor was just fun to try :) {They'll give you a sample if you ask - that's probably enough of that flavor - though it is interesting!}

A slice of crack pie ($5.25)
-Luckily, my girlfriend added this to the order since I was a little apprehensive because of the name :) Its actually kind of like a toasted oat crust version of pecan pie (though I can't remember whether there were actually pecans on it or not - more like melted butter/caramelized sugar). Simply amazing! I'll be ordering it next time.

I've tried the candy bar as well. It's good, but just a little too sweet.

Pretzel truffles (3 for $4) {Unfortunately this flavor isn't offered at the Milk bar anymore, but I heard you can find them at one of the Momufuku restaurants!}
-The salt/sweet combo is just right with these cake balls! These would make a treat to drop off for a friend.

I've heard the pork buns are amazing too, but we went to the Milk Bar after dinner at Westville (which is also fabulous and worth a post) so I'll have to try that one later!

Know before you go: There is a counter where you to eat your treats, but no chairs. Only a few spots to stand inside and two benches outside.

S'MAC

S'MAC
345 East 12th Street (between 1st and 2nd Ave.)

On a dreary day like today, it sometimes is nice to have comfort food! S'MAC can fill just that graving! They offer about a dozen types of macaroni and cheese! Even food connoisseurs won't be disappointed by the cheeses or menu here!

A friend and I split the sampler plate! As you can see, it was way too much for just two people! Though we loved trying all the different flavors! Our favorites were 4 cheese {top of the list!}, All-American, Napoletano and Alpine! We didn't love the Cajun, Parisienne or La Mancha as much.

Good to know: There isn't a ton of seating so you might want to grab an early dinner here if you're going with a small group. I wouldn't try to go here with any more than five people if you want to sit together.

Even on a rainy night, you better get here early!

Caracas Arepa Bar
93 1/2 East 7th Street (by 1st Avenue)

Tonight, I went with three gorgeous girlfriends to Caracas in the East Village. Luckily, we met there at 6pm because just a little bit later there was quite a wait {and people even stood around in the rain to get a table}.

Sorry for the bad pics! I tried to use my iPad and it must have been way too dark inside, but we all loved trying the Venezuelan dishes! The plantain chips with guac were amazing! As well as the stuffed arepas! If you like something sweet, we'd highly recommend the yoyos {fried sweet plantain balls stuffed with white cheese} too! Mmm..

Thanks for a fun night, Gretchen, Karen and Abby!

Good to know: We went on a rainy Monday at 6pm and there wasn't a wait. By 6:30, people were lined up outside {even in the rain! that's when you know a place is really good!}. I'd recommend getting there super early if you want to try it on the weekend!

Learning the sweetest secrets!

Butterlane Cupcakes

123 East 7th Street (between 1st Ave. and Avenue A)

My youngest sister, Brooke, decided to fly to the city last minute so we quickly started brain storming everything she wanted to do during this trip. She's been here a bunch and been to all of the usual spots. Her only request was that we do new things that no one in our family (except me) have ever tried before! Luckily in New York, there's always plenty more to see, taste and do! 

I knew about Butterlane Cupcakes and their Zagat rated treats (made the top 8 in NYC list!), but had  heard you have to book a class online months in advance. Sure enough, all of their classes listed online were full for the weekend. As a last ditch effort, I gave the store a call and they said they were opening up a new class for that night! Woo-hoo! Perfect timing! A couple of girlfriends, Brooke and I headed up to Butterlane for an amazing night of baking! 

 First, the dozen or so bakers divided into three groups. Our group made the chocolate cupcakes. You're in a pretty small group (just a few people) so everyone gets a chance to help and really see the magic behind them!

 Rows and rows of baking pans!

 Do we have enough?!?! Dozens and dozens of cupcakes!!

One of the best parts about the class - no washing dishes at all! You simply throw all of the messy spatulas, measuring spoons, bowls in a bin on the floor! They take care of the rest! If only it worked that way at home!

While we were waiting for the cupcakes to bake, we started making the frosting. Yes, that is butter my sister is grabbing! By the handful!

 

 We whipped and whipped the frosting! Thank goodness for Kitchen Aids!

After we had made the cupcake batter and frosting, I thought the real work or tricky part was done! I couldn't have been more wrong! Brooke and my girlfriends were amazing at frosting the cupcakes with the special Butter Lane style, but let me tell you - it wasn't easy to make them look this pretty :)

After frosting dozens of cupcakes, we took too many home :) 

I'd highly recommend this to any bakers (or want to be's - like me:) who live in the city or if you're visiting! it makes for a super fun girls night! Or even better for a date night if you can get your lucky man to join you! (Show him how many cupcakes you bake and I bet he'll be convinced!)

Good to know: Classes are booked out sometimes months in advance, but they often post info about last minute openings (because people cancel) on their Facebook page. Keep checking and hopefully you can get into a class soon too!