Sweetery Red Velvet Whoopie Pie

Did whoopie pies have a moment between cupcakes and macarons? I can't remember.

But there's still something comforting about a whoopie pie; it's indulgent in a guilty pleasure kind of way. I decided to roll with the food truck craze and stopped by dessert truck Sweetery while it was parked in the West Village. The gorgeous deep red color of the Red Velvet Whoopie Pies grabbed my eye. The cake was moist enough and not overly-sweet. It went nicely with the slightly tangy cream cheese filling in the middle. The best part was that I used Tenka and got the sweet treat for free.

Various locations in NYC.

http://sweeterynyc.com/

Pie Pop-up Shop!

This Saturday and Sunday, March 26 and 27, Martha Stewart is popping up a pie-themed shop at Little Owl the venue at 93 Greenwich Avenue to promote her new book "Martha Stewart's Pies and Tarts". Store hours are 10 am - 6 p.m. 

In addition to the book, you will be able to buy baked goods like pies, tartlets and savory galettes as well as beverages. There will also be raffles held. If nothing else, it should at least smell good inside.

93 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10011.

Martha Stewart's Pies and Tarts website

Hot Chocolate at Grom

The Cioccolata Calda "Fondente" at Grom is their dark hot chocolate blended with Venezuelen "Ocumare" plantation chocolate. Grom says they make it the traditional Italian way, using chocolate of fine quality from single source chocolate producers. Only a small amount of fresh milk and cane sugar are added, nothing artificial. It is extremely dense and full of flavor. The texture is completely smooth but quite rich and as thick as any good hot chocolate you'll find in the city. Do not skip the scoop of freshly whipped cream that comes with it and melts slowly as you savor every sip.

Grom. 233 Bleecker Street, New York, NY.

(212) 206-1738

http://www.grom.it/ita/

Doughnut Plant's New Location: The Chelsea Hotel on Monday

Doughnut Plant is set to open a new location at the Chelsea Hotel on Monday, February 14th, 2011. Sweetness just in time for Valentine's Day! I'm especially excited because I am a fan of pretty much everything that has ever graced Doughnut Plant's menu and a Chelsea location is considerably closer to my apartment than the original location. 

Doughnut Plant. 279 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002

& the Chelsea Hotel: 220 West 23rd Street. (212) 675-9100. 

http://www.doughnutplant.com/

The City Bakery - Hot Chocolate Festival

If you crave hot choco the same way that I do, make your way to The City Bakery this month.

City Bakery's 19th Annual Hot Chocolate Festival calendar: The City Bakery Hot Chocolate Festival

City Bakery. 3 West 18th Street. New York, NY 10011.

(212) 366-1414

http://www.thecitybakery.com/

Lobster Tail at Ferrara Bakery & Cafe

The Lobster Tail at Ferrara Bakery & Cafe in Little Italy has been a classic for years. And it's pretty to look at, with a liberal dusting of sugar and perpetual flaky layers of pastry. Oh, and it's jam packed with Bavarian Cream.

Ferrara Bakery & Cafe. 195 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013.

(212) 226-6150

http://www.ferraracafe.com/nyc/

Sant Ambroeus Signature Chocolate Cake

After brunching at Morandi and enjoying a semi-dessert of Ricotta Fritters (bottom photo) with pine nuts, rolled in sugar and dried fruit, I found myself wandering the West Village in search of yet another sweet fix. I ended up following my heart into the cozy little espresso bar/restaurant that is Sant Ambroeus. A bunch of scattered tables in the dining room - I hear they serve real food in addition to sweets but I wouldn't know anything about that - and a bright case full of cakes and cookies beckoned like some holy light from the side of the counter. I ordered a cappuccino out of habit; any espresso bar transports me back to the time I spent in Italy a few years ago and I order coffee on auto-pilot even if I am already over my daily caffeine limit. Then I sat back sipping my cappuccino to await my Sant Ambroeus cake (top photo).

When it arrived, I was struck by the attention to detail that went into the decoration. Inside, I was elated to find a rich chocolate mousse atop a thin layer of sponge cake with a creamy chocolate center and the occasional cocoa nib strewn throughout. There was a tiny drop of fudgey chocolate sauce on top. And with that, my sugar craving was finally sated. 

Sant Ambroeus. 259 West 4th St, New York, NY.

(212) 604-9254

http://www.santambroeus.com/new/frameset.php