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Manhattan Munchies

Dylan’s Candy Bar, New York

November 22, 2018 / Manhattan Munchies, New York, New York Food, Upper East Side / 0 comment

Dylan’s Candy Bar, New York

The world’s largest confectionary emporium and lifestyle brand, Dylan’s Candy Bar is a real-life candytopia. The original flagship location on New York City’s Upper East Side features three floors of delicious treats, including a cafe on the top floor.

Dylan’s Candy Bar was opened in 2001 by Dylan Lauren, of the Ralph Lauren family. The flagship store is a crazy colourful chaos reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, with an oversized lollypop tree, candy cane columns, oversized chocolate rabbit, candy-embedded stairs and kaleidoscopic candy wallpaper that you kind of want to lick (but don’t! Don’t lick the wallpaper!).

If candy is your thing then put Dylan’s on your New York bucket list. The store houses over 7,000 confections from all over the world.

The bright colours are mesmerising and the smell of sugar is dizzying. I dare any adult who enters not to embrace their inner child and make like a kid in a candy store themselves.

You can find plenty of unique gifts in the store too, from Dylan’s Candy Bar (private label) products to candy-inspired stationary, plushies, jewellery and lotions. Even fridge magnets!

I highly suggest visiting the upstairs cafe and sitting in an oversized cupcake booth. We did just that for lunch and enjoyed some very non-sweet things after our sugar binge on the floor below: Dylan’s House Salad ($9, arugula, goat cheese, breakfast radishes, grape tomatoes & a balsamic glaze) and The Kid’s Pie ($8, kid’s pizza with mozzarella & tomato sauce). The food was excellent and well priced.

The salad was huge and fresh, bursting with flavour thanks to the liberal lashing of balsamic glaze, and the kid’s pie was so massive I ended up eating half. Excellent value for lunch in New York city!

We have previously ordered the candy-inspired cocktails and they are excellent as well as pretty. The cafe makes loads of beautiful desserts and shakes if you are feeling like something sweet.

Dylan’s Candy Bar
Hours: Mon-Thur: 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat: 10am-11pm, Sunday: 10am-9pm
1011 Third Ave (at 60th St.)
New York, NY 10065
Phone: (646) 735-0078
Subway: N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6
dylanscandybar.com

Ellen’s Stardust Diner, New York

November 22, 2018 / Eat & Explore, Manhattan Munchies, Midtown, New York, New York Food, New York Life, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Ellen’s Stardust Diner is an iconic 1950s-themed diner with singing servers and a massive menu filled with American classics. Located in the heart of Times Square, your server at Ellen’s may be the next star on Broadway!

While Ellen’s may be considered a bit of a tourist trap, it’s incredibly fun and we have been several times. The food is overpriced but adequate – it’s really the great singing and lively atmosphere that are the draw card here.

Our server, after introducing herself, hopped up on the tables to belt out a Broadway classic that left us speechless. The staff here truly have extraordinary talent.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner serves up plenty of options with an absolutely massive menu. It’s an extremely popular spot, especially with tourists and tour groups, and there is usually a queue to get in that runs around the block. My advice is to come for breakfast since they open at 7am.

Not only is this a great time to visit and get a table immediately, it will also save you a few dollars on your meal. While there is an all-day breakfast menu, their dedicated breakfast menu is a different menu entirely and is served between served from 7am to 11am. It features cheaper food choices, making this a great time to go for both crowds and cost saving.

We ordered the plain Jane classic three egg omelette with tater tots ($13.50) and Joseph & The Technicolor Bagel (Yes! It’s a Rainbow Bagel, served w/ rainbow sprinkle cream cheese and tater tots, $10.50). The omelette was really flat whereas we prefer fluffy omelettes and the tater tots packed a bit of spice, which meant while I liked them, Cheese didn’t. She did however love her rainbow bagel.

I do have to mention how excellent the service is from the singing waitstaff. Not only are they amazingly talented, they are also really great at their jobs. About 30 seconds after being given a massive glass of OJ, Cheese accidentally knocked it over. Our server dashed over, cleaned it up and replaced it with another in a spill proof cup, without being asked. Really great service.

You can read about our previous experience at Ellen’s Starburst Diner here.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Hours: Daily, 7am-12am
(212) 956-5151
1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
ellensstardustdiner.com

Eloise Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel, New York

November 20, 2018 / Manhattan Munchies, Midtown East, New York, New York Food / 0 comment

A rawther fancy way to enjoy a day in New York City is with the Eloise afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel.

The Plaza’s famous literary resident, Eloise, has a strong presence throughout the hotel, including the specially-themed children’s afternoon tea in The Palm Court. Other places to find Eloise at the Plaza are to visit the Eloise store on the underground level, or if the sky’s the limit, book the Eloise suite.

We booked the Eloise afternoon tea to indulge our city girl and she indeed did find it pink, pink, pink, and all too delightful.

The Eloise Afternoon Tea is served on exquisite china that has been hand-painted for The Plaza Hotel. It can be purchased from the gift shop downstairs if you want to take home a special souvenir.

Eloise Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel

Sandwiches and savouries

Organic Devilled Egg Salad, Dill Pickle Relish, White Bread
Tuna Salad, Celery and Carrots, Wheat Bread
English Cucumber, Minted Goat Cheese Green Goddess, Rye Bread
Organic Peanut Butter and Jelly, Wheat Bread
Parisian Ham, Gruyere Cheese, Bavarian Mustard,
Pretzel Ficelle

Scones

Freshly Baked Warm Seasonal Scones with Double Devonshire Cream, Lemon Curd and Preserves

Pastries and sweets

Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Rice Krispy Treat
Mandarin Orange and Milk Chocolate Éclair
Dulce de Leche Cup Cake, Mango and Lime Butter Cream
Seasonal Fruit Tart
Raspberry and Vanilla Cotton Candy
Graham Cracker Blueberry S’more
Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownie

Hot hot teas

Tropical Garden (a fruity infusion with pieces of mango, pineapple, papaya and peach)
Children’s Tea (a delicious fruit infusion with goji berries, papaya, and melon)
Rooibos des Vahinés (a delicious rooibos sprinkled with pieces of vanilla pods and almonds
Mélange du Cap (a delicious blend of rooibos with cocoa nibs and vanilla pods)

Quenchers

Cold Cold Pink Lemonade
Vanilla Iced Tea

Our diner chose the pink lemonade (delicious!!!) and the tropical garden tea. Her favourite selections from the amazing platter of treats were the giant cotton candy, seasonal fruit tart and rice krispy treat. Considering the amount and quality of food, I thought it was excellent value.

The Eloise Afternoon Tea was a massive hit with our 7-year-old. She loved the custom china and special items she received that we didn’t. The experience made her feel really special.

The Eloise Afternoon Tea is served 12:00pm – 5:00pm
$60 per child under 12 years of age

Adults can also enjoy an afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel. Read about our Plaza Hotel afternoon tea experience here.

CONTACT
212-546-5300
palmcourt@fairmont.com

The Plaza
768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Online theplazany.com

Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel, New York

November 20, 2018 / Manhattan Munchies, Midtown East, New York, New York Food / 0 comment

Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel, New York

The Palm Court, inside the iconic Plaza Hotel, has been the place to enjoy afternoon tea in New York City for over 100 years. In my tea-loving opinion, an afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel is an absolute must when visiting the Big Apple.

In 2013 The Palm Court was relaunched with a fresh look. With a design inspired by the lush greenery in nearby Central Park, the renovation incorporated potted plants, tall palm trees, trellis detailing and can accented furnishings into the classic space. The signature stained-glass dome harkens back to the original design of 1907.

Breakfast, afternoon tea, evening meals and cocktails are all served in The Palm Court, but it wouldn’t be a true New York experience if one didn’t try the famed afternoon tea.

We all wear our Sunday best to dine at the Plaza, even though the suggested dress code is smart casual. It’s a fun outing to get a little fancy, and the interior of the hotel is so fancy that it certainly warrants the special outfits!

The Palm Court is a self contained dining area that feels like diners have been transported into a lush greenhouse. The atmosphere is cheerful and light, with plenty of groups and families enjoying an afternoon tea.

There are two afternoon teas on offer, the New Yorker Tea and the Champagne Tea. Our party chose the classic New Yorker Tea.

The New Yorker Tea Fall Menu

Sandwiches and savouries

Smoked salmon pumpernickel napoleon, chive, dill whipped cream cheese *
Organic devilled egg salad, dill pickle relish, white bread
Truffled chicken salad, black truffle aioli, celery, whole wheat bread *
English cucumber, minted goat cheese green goddess, rye bread
Herb roasted prime rib, horseradish cream, watercress, onion poppy brioche slider bun *
Parisian ham, gruyere cheese, Bavarian mustard, pretzel ficelle *

* I received vegetarian substitutes for these items. My Vegetarian tea below:

Scones

Freshly baked warm seasonal scones, with double Devonshire cream, lemon curd, preserves

Pastries and sweets

Passion & banana daiquiri baba, strawberry compote, Meyer’s rum
Mandarin orange, milk chocolate eclair
Extra bitter dark chocolate black forest tart, preserved cherry
Banana, caramel lime macaron
Seasonal fruit tart
Chocolate hazelnut Nutella bar
Key lime cheesecake, lemon curd, vanilla whipped cream

$75 per person.
Add a glass of champagne (NV Veuve Clicquot Brut, Reims or NV, Moët & Chandon Brut Rosé Impérial, Épernay, $90 pp)

As one expects from the Plaza Hotel, the food is excellent and service flawless. Extra jam, cream and scones are brought when requested, and there is so much tea in our tea pots we couldn’t drink it all.

We couldn’t finish the sweets either, and they are boxed for us to take home.

Champagne Tea Fall Menu

Sandwiches and savouries

Herb roasted prime rib, horseradish cream, watercress, onion poppy brioche slider
Foie gras mousse, fig jam, toasted black walnuts, brioche crostini
Lobster roll, daikon sprouts, buttered potato roll
Golden beet canape, whipped goat cheese, toasted hazelnuts, balsamic pearls
Smoked salmon pumpernickel napoleon, chive & dill whipped cream cheese
Caviar blini three grams imperial ossetra ($21 supplemental)
Three grams kaluga ($29 supplemental)

Scones

Freshly baked warm seasonal scones, with double Devonshire cream, lemon curd, preserves

Pastries and sweets

Apple cider almond delice, bourbon spice jelly
Mandarin orange, milk chocolate éclair
Grapefruit mimosa mousse, citrus meringue, pistachio cake
Seasonal fruit tart
Pistachio chouqette, morello cherry preserve
Jasmine tea infused, dark chocolate macaron
Meyer lemon preserve, lemon & poppy seed cake, earl grey ganache

$95 per person, includes a glass of champagne (NV Veuve Clicquot Brut, Reims or NV, Moët & Chandon Brut Rosé Impérial, Épernay)
$125 per person with a glass of Krug

Afternoon tea is served Mon-Sun 12pm – 4:45pm (last seating is at 4:30pm)

Dining at The Plaza Hotel with kids? Check out their amazing Eloise Afternoon Tea here.

CONTACT
212-546-5300
palmcourt@fairmont.com

The Plaza
768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Online theplazany.com

Brass Monkey: Kid-friendly Restaurants, Meatpacking District, New York

January 21, 2015 / Manhattan Munchies, Meatpacking / 0 comment

On a dreary but not-too-cold day, we made our way to Brass Monkey in the Meatpacking District to celebrate a dear friend’s birthday. We walked past packed brunch spots like Pastis, and I was concerned that we were going to have to fight for a table.

I don’t know if it was the sad weather that put people off, but Brass Monkey was practically empty when we arrived. We were able to grab a table on the rooftop deck big enough to fit the 14 members of the party, and spread out with all the space we had.

As the afternoon wore on, the tables slowly filled up, but it was never packed to the point of the famous neighbours downstairs. In fact, when it started to rain, we were able to find empty tables enough to fit our remaining part of eight on both the floors below.

Speaking of floors – there are three. The main floor entrance, with a bar, tables and chairs, the middle floor with a second bar, booths and small tables and chairs, and the rooftop. There’s no lift, so if you’re planning to take kids to the middle level or rooftop, pack light and bring a folding stroller. One thing’s for sure, you’ll burn off at least half of the food you’re about to consume.

Brass Monkey serves upmarket bar food. It has a brunch menu with a twist, including items like the Egg Scramble Wrap (scrambled eggs with spinach, tomato and cheddar, served with homefries) and Maine Lobster Roll, served with old bay chips. You can also try the Full Irish Breakfast (two eggs, any style, sausage, bacon, black pudding, white pudding, beans and toast).

On a sunny day the rooftop deck get crowded fast. It has a less pub-like ambiance, with little pot plants embedded in the walls, and a creates an interesting juxtapositioning of old and new, being right next to the Standard Hotel and High Line.

Our food arrived pretty quickly for a party of 14. Everything was well cooked to order, including the meal which was altered to suit a gluten-intolerant diner. My Egg Scramble Wrap was delicious. A big wedge of egg, wrapped in spinach, tomato and cheese. What combination could be better?

We couldn’t find any high chairs, so we balanced Cheese on our laps, then chased her around the deck when she got bored. The sweet potato fries we ordered entertained her for a while, then I resorted to letting her pick the ice out of my empty glass.

The staff were efficient, but not overly friendly. They gave us what we needed, and kept out of our hair. No special concessions were made for kids, but it was a very welcoming environment, and we didn’t feel awkard about having our rowdy toddler with us. Several more toddlers arrived as we were leaving, so we clearly weren’t the only people seeking a quieter option for lunch or brunch on a Saturday.

Last bite: For bar food with a twist – and a great view, grab a table on the rooftop deck, order a drink, and relax in the sun.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Yes – as long as it’s not super busy, there’s plenty of room for strollers.
Easy access: Yes, to main floor.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Brass Monkey
55 Little West 12th St
New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 675-6686
Hours: Daily, 12pm-4am
Prices: $
Cuisine: Bar food

Big Gay Ice Cream: Kid-Friendly West Village, NY

October 18, 2014 / Manhattan Munchies, New York Food, West Village / 0 comment

Before I was introduced to the Big Gay Ice Cream, my experience with soft serve was limited to McDonald’s. I’ve never liked it, and was hesitant to try what I’ve always viewed to be ice cream’s second-rate cousin. I’m happy to admit I was wrong when it comes to Big Gay.

Owners have created a cult following in New York City for a very good reason. Their soft-serve is developed in collaboration with Ronnybrook Farm Dairy and includes fun and creative ice creams like the Salty Pimp (my personal favourite, which includes injections of caramel and sprinklings of salt, and then dipped in chocolate).

Big Gay in the West Village is my favorite outpost to visit. They have a large seating area and we’ve always found a table, even on their busiest days. The staff are friendly, the atmosphere quirky and fun, and the ice creams are just amazing. What more could you ask for?

Last bite: A unique spin on old-school soft-serve is a winner with all age groups.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Big Gay Ice Cream Shop West Village
61 Grove Street
(at Seventh Avenue South)
New York NY 10014
Prices $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-12am, Sat-Sun 12pm-12am
Get directions

Essex: Where Brunch Includes 3 Cocktails; LES, New York

September 7, 2014 / Lower East Side, Manhattan Munchies, New York Food / 2 Comments

When wanting to book a large table in NYC, your options are limited. For a friend’s birthday with a party of nine, we tried out Essex, a restaurant on the Lower East side with a modern, chic design, lots of natural light and a great value-for-money brunch menu.

The brunch menu is a fixed price, $23.95 for your entree plus three bloody marys, screwdrivers or mimosas. They’re quite liberal with the drinks, particularly mimosas, and several members of our party think they actually ended up with four each. The drinks aren’t super strong, which is good when you’re drinking that many cocktails at noon …

We were seated at our table even though we were waiting on the last two guests. The restaurant quickly filled up — clearly word has gotten around that this is a good brunch bet.

While there wasn’t a kids’ menu, we ordered sides off the menu for Missy E (French Fries and Fresh Fruit) straight away while everyone else decided on their order. Her dishes arrived quickly — two generous servings which we helped her with.

Our party ordered a variety of dishes: Challah French Toast (bananas foster sauce, fresh fruit), Baked Eggs (crisp black forest ham, roasted peppers, shitake mushrooms, Monterey jack), Omelet (spinach, tomato, sheep’s milk cheese with mixed green salad and home fries), Short Rib Hash (two eggs any style, duck fat potatoes), Grilled Shrimp & Avocado Salad (poached egg, baby spinach, pico de gallo).

The meals were all a great portion size, with generous amounts of fresh ingredients. My omelet was delicious, filled with tasty cheese and tomatoes, and slightly spicy home fries. The French toast “tastes better than it looks!”, and the baked eggs xxxx.

Our server wove in and out of diners with a large jug of mimosas, topping up glasses as soon as they were empty.

Last bite: A great brunch spot for large groups, especially those wanting mimosas with their eggs.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes (folding strollers are best).
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Essex
120 Essex St,
New York, NY
Phone: (212) 533 9616
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm Sun 10am-6pm
Get Directions
Reservations

Chocolate Chunk Pancakes at Clinton St. Baking Company, LES, New York

September 7, 2014 / Lower East Side, Manhattan Munchies, New York Food / 0 comment

When you want good pancakes in New York City, it’s a well-known fact that you head to Clinton St. Baking Company. The bakery and restaurant was opened in 2001 by husband and wife team Neil Kleinberg and DeDe Lahman, with a mission to make the best baked goods in the city, hand-mixed in small batches.

Fast forward to 2014 and the once tiny bakery is now a bustling restaurant, with their pancakes awarded the title of “the best in the city” (twice!) by New York Magazine. Clinton St. Baking Co. is such a popular breakfast and lunch spot that if you turn up for brunch on a weekend, you’ll often find yourself facing an up to TWO HOUR wait. They have the waiting system down to a fine art, and even have a page on their site devoted to “the wait“.

Don’t let this dissuade you from going, however. To avoid a wait on weekends, your best bet is to arrive by 8:30am and put in your name for the first seating at 9am. To avoid a long wait in general, visit during the week or at night when the waits are shorter, if at all. Don’t worry — they serve breakfast during the dinner hour. We visited on a weekday at 8am. The restaurant was full by 8:30am, but the wait outside was pretty short, with most diners not having to wait too long for a table. If you find yourself waiting for a table, the surrounding streets have some really cool graffiti/street art that’s worth checking out.

Since Alec had to get to work, we ordered and ate as quickly as we could. I ordered the Pancakes with Warm Maple Butter (choice of wild Maine blueberry, banana walnut, or chocolate chunk pancakes, $14) and Alec ordered the Southern Breakfast (two eggs any style, sugar-cured bacon, cheese grits, and fried green tomatoes, $14). We also ordered a side of sourdough toast for Missy E ($2), which arrived with Vermont butter and the most amazing raspberry conserves I’ve ever tasted. As well as the toast, E shared my pancakes when they arrived — the novelty of chocolate for breakfast was just too exciting for her to handle.

My pancakes were fantastic. I chose chocolate chunks, and my three big fluffy pancakes were absolutely chockfull of the chocolate. The pancakes were warm and the butter atop them was slightly melting. I really enjoyed their warm maple butter instead of maple syrup as it wasn’t anywhere near as sickeningly sweet. Alec’s southern breakfast was a bit on the dry side — he would have preferred some kind of sauce to go with it. He did, however, thoroughly enjoy the cheese grits and fried green tomatoes — both novelties to an Aussie.

So are they the best pancakes in New York? I’m afraid I can’t say as I don’t really eat pancakes often enough to be able to rank them! I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed mine and would absolutely go back for more.

Last bite: How can you resist trying some of NYC’s best pancakes? Be prepared for the wait and you’ll enjoy a really great breakfast.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Clinton St Baking Co & Restaurant
4 Clinton St.
New York, NY
Phone: (646) 602 6263
Prices: $
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, 4pm-5pm (pastries/ coffee to go only), dinner 6pm to 11pm; Sat 8am-9am (pastry & coffee to go only), 9am-4pm, dinner 6pm-11pm; Sun 8am-9am (pastry & coffee to go only), 9am-6pm.
Get Directions

Top 5 Sweet Spots on the Upper East Side

September 7, 2014 / Manhattan Munchies, New York Food, Upper East Side / 0 comment

When your sweet tooth is a-calling, the Upper East Side is the place to go. Within a few blocks of each other lies a cornucopia of sugary heavens. How’s a sleep-deprived mom to choose?

Dylan’s Candy Bar
Created in 2001 by Dylan Lauren (of the Ralph Lauren family) Dylan’s Candy Bar is the place to go for a serious sugar high. Choose from 7,000 candy treats in the store, then lounge upstairs in a cupcake booth at the Candy Cafe to enjoy lunch or a snack, and perhaps a candy cocktail.
1011 3rd Ave, New York, NY

Baked By Melissa
These mini cupcakes were made with tiny hands in mind! At $1 for each little cupcake, it’s the perfect sized treat when you don’t want the day to get too sugary. Our favorite flavor is the Choc Chip Pancake (totally breakfast food, right?).
784 Lexington Avenue at 61st Street New York NY

Two Little Red Hens
How can you pass up what’s often called the best red velvet cupcake in the city? The cupcakes come in regular and mini sizes, so you can sample several if you’re not set on one flavor.
1652 2nd Ave, New York, NY

Sprinkles Cupcakes
If you’re on the go, grab your cupcake from the Sprinkles ATM out the front. We prefer to sit down inside to enjoy our cupcakes – the cupcake-inspired interior and ottomans are a huge hit with kids. Know before you go: Check out their rotating seasonal menu so you visit on the day when your favorite flavors are being served.
780 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

IT’SUGAR
This candy chain store recently opened its doors on the Upper East Side. IT’SUGAR focuses on the fun of candy, from giant 5LB Hershey bars to the World’s Largest Gummy Bear (they recommend sharing this cub, and so do we!)
1542 3rd Ave New York NY
IT’SUGAR Image via Jia J. Yelp.com

This article first appeared on MommyNearest.com.

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A Mediterranean "Snack" in SoHo: Snack Restaurant, New York

September 7, 2014 / Manhattan Munchies, New York Food, SoHo / 0 comment

Feeling like some hearty Greek food while shopping in SoHo? We love taking refuge from a cold day to eat up and stay warm at Snack. A tiny doorway leads to a small restaurant. Be prepared to squish in (umbrella strollers only, carriers preferred!). The staff are welcoming to young diners, and gave us the coveted front window seat, which is great for allowing little ones to occupy themselves by watching the passersby.

We ordered food to share: Hummus ($7.50), Pita Bread ($1.50), Spanakopitakia ($5), Tiropitakia ($5) the Soup of The Day, which was Lentil ($8.50), and a sandwich ($10). It was WAY too much food for two adults and one toddler. It was, however, all absolutely delicious and very filling (plus, you can easily take hummus home for leftovers).

After lunch, we dropped by the nearby Vesuvio Playground (at Spring and Thompson Streets) to let Missy E run her hummus and pita bread off. It’s a huge playground, best suited for slightly older kids.

Last Bite: Mediterranean food that’s tasty and filling, tucked away like a delicious secret you’ll want to keep to yourself.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Minimal. Bring a stroller that folds.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Snack SoHo
105 Thompson Street (between Prince and Spring streets)
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 925-1040
Prices: $$
Hours: Sun 12pm-9pm, Mon-Wed 12pm-10pm, Thurs-Sat 12pm-11pm
Get Directions