Its hard to find a solid bakery nowadays in NYC. A lot of the really good ones have closed down,…read moreand it makes it really difficult to find a quality bakery without all the fluff. The 7 layer cake is a beautiful work of art and the taste marches. Its a vanilla cake with chocolate frosting topped with strawberry and chocolate mouse. Note to the wise, don't make the same mistake I did. Always look at your cake once it is placed in the box. The display cake looked good, then I did not get to inspect the cake before it was placed in the box. Once I arrived home, I saw that the top part of the cake had a dent in the mouse and strawberry covering which made it look messy. It was an embarrassment to present it as such so I improvised by using the mother's day signage to cover up the blip. When I called to speak with the location about it they dealt with it very professionally and were apologetic about the situation and offered a comp. It was such a relief to have customer service go right after experiencing that.

As a mousse cake lover the hazelnut marquise here is great (would appreciate if it's a little less…read moresweet and more darker chocolate and hazelnut) Friendly staff casual atmosphere

Babka alert! Babka alert!!!!!! They have the most dangerous and delicious cinnamon Babka we have…read moreever had so far. We originally came in to check out their bagels. They don't have a large bagel sandwich or schmear section menu, they keep it simple here. But, I'm all about smoked salmon so we ordered the NY breakfast bagel sandwich. Bagel consistency was chewy and flavor profiles were light-for example I tasted a hint of the dill cream cheese schmear, hint of smoked salmon, chives, red onion , and lemon zest. Good, but would have liked stronger flavors or more of the ingredients. What shined was the cinnamon Babka! A dense bread with a soft gooey cinnamon goodness in the middle. Hard to have just one slice :D. They offer a chocolate one as well. Orwashers have a couple of locations, we happen to hit this one as it was on our way to The MET.

I tried a black and white cookie and the chocolate chip cookie. The black and white cookie was okay…read moreand the chocolate chip cookie was okay. The chocolate chip cookie tasted similar to a regular chocolate chip cookie, just a bigger size. One was enough to satisfy the sweets craving. The black and white cookie was small. Not sure if I'd return to get these. If I return, I may try something different.

When in NYC, the best place to grab some pastries and coffees, the ultimate morning pairing. The…read moreinside is small and on the cozier side, so definitely more of a spot for grab and go. I was able to snag seats with good timing when I came here to enjoy my Iced Americano and Halva Croissant. The filling in the croissant was delightful! Service was terrific and with their other options, I would totally come back. I also tried their cookie and it was excellent. My Iced Americano went well with my baked goodies. They know how to do things right here!

I stopped by on a Monday morning and was greeted warmly as I walked in. It's a clean, brightly lit…read morespot with limited seating (saw some people sitting on a bench in front of the store). There was one person at the counter taking/filling orders (she was very nice and helpful) and one person making drinks (coffee/tea). There was a short line, but it moved fairly quickly. I ordered some chocolate rugelach, cinnamon rugelach, and cheese & cherry rugelach ($2.75/each, except the larger cheese & cherry ones for $3.50/each). I love, love, love their chocolate rugelach. It's flaky, buttery, chocolately, and tender with some crispy edges. The cinnamon ones were good, but the chocolate ones are my favorite here. The cheese & cherry rugelach were delicious and fluffy with the right amount of sweetness and filling. I've previously had some of their other items, and can also recommend the dark chocolate babka (which I was lucky enough to purchase one time while it was still warm), the pistachio cherry croissant, and the spicy cheese stick. I will be back to try their other items.

Since ordering a custom cake from this bakery about three years ago, they have become my go-to for…read morecakes for any occasion! The cake was for my niece's first birthday. I provided a reference photo and was impressed at how closely the design was matched and customized to our preferences. Not only was the cake gorgeous, it tasted amazing too. For the flavor we chose the confetti cake with chocolate buttercream filling. It was moist and not overly sweet. That said, I've also ordered their black and white cake as well as their berryfull cake (both delicious!). The bakery staff are always friendly and the customer service has been great each time I've reached out about an order. I highly recommend this bakery for your cake needs and cravings :)

Got a last minute custom apple cider cake with cream cheese frosting. Turned out beautifully and…read morewas absolutely delicious. Actually got better each day after.

Unfortunately, my sandwich was about the equivalent of airport food. The bread was incredibly…read morestale--so dry and chewy it got stuck in my teeth and honestly felt like it could crack one. It had just two slices of meat and two slices of cheese. No wonder thet asked if I wanted it heated. This was my first visit. There were six people working, but there seemed to be very little teamwork or direction. The cashier, who seemed like she might have been new, was by far the highlight of the experience. She was friendly, patient, and the only employee who made me feel welcome. The woman I believe was the manager had a noticeably aggressive attitude toward the front-end staff. After an awkward moment trying to figure out who I was supposed to order from and then asking the price of a soda, I commented that the process was confusing. She simply rolled her eyes, which was disappointing and unprofessional. I also observed employees handling food with bare hands, which wasn't reassuring. I work next door, and now I understand why so many of my coworkers told me not to eat here. I was hoping they'd be wrong, but unfortunately my experience matched what I'd been told. This version is more likely to be taken seriously because it focuses on specific observations rather than insults, while still making it clear why you were disappointed.

HUGE fan of Angelina Bakery locations and their nutella croissants have got to be one of my…read morefavorite things in NYC. We were going in to the MET for a tour and only had time for something quick. Angelina was the perfect stop except I've been spoiled with the other two locations I've tried that are much larger, appealing and has more variety. This was a pretty hole in the wall location (in comparison to the others) and I wasn't super obsessed with the quality of the doing (again, in comparison to what I already know of Angelina). I'm not sure if they bake everything in house but it does feel more like they get smaller batches of things maybe frozen and then stick them in the oven and fill them. It doesn't taste the freshest, the croissant dough isn't as pillowy, crispy on the outside and full of layers and flakes that I'm regularly used to. I'm always happy eating anything with nutella so that was still a win, wish it was more in line with the regular Angelina experience. Also, they don't have the same amount of things and as extensive of a menu, so just know before you go :) No bathrooms either it seems like!

I just walked into Levain on the Upper East Side. Have not had these cookies in a few years. I bake…read morea lot myself and usually try to save the calories, but I wanted to check it out again--to be completely transparent, in advance of an interview! The young woman who helped me was so friendly and informative. I decided to try the fall spiced cookie with Valrhona chocolate. I took one bite and WOW--it was fabulous. I immediately remembered why I don't come in more often: you can't have just one bite! I went back to the counter and said I wanted to grab a coffee to cut the sweetness of the cookie--a great pairing, coffee and cookies. She handed me my coffee and directed me to the station where I could find the Splenda. I thanked her and said, "But I need to pay for this," and she simply told me not to worry--the coffee was on the house. It was such a small, unexpected gesture, but it genuinely touched me. There was something so warm and gracious about the way she did it--no fuss, just a little kindness offered to a customer. Those moments are rare, and sometimes the smallest gesture can completely change your day. This one certainly changed mine. I hope no one gets in trouble over my cup of coffee! The cookie was fabulous, but it was her warmth and kindness that I walked away remembering most. Thank you, Levain Upper East Side, for a really lovely experience.

Im not even the biggest fan of cookies, but Levain is just so good…read more Their cookies are huge and on the chunkier side. It's slightly soft in the center but crunchy on the outside, and has sufficient mix in ingredients (chocolate chips, walnuts, etc.) Fav is def the chocolate chips and walnut. I did find the two chip chocolate chip and double chocolate chip cookie to be too chocolatey and sweet for my preference. It's a little hit or miss, but when it gets too busy they just grab it from the tray so the cookie is either warm or room temp, versus at a diff location ive gone to they heated it up and/or grabbed it from a fresh tray. Workers are friendly and there's some seats and areas to stand and enjoy your cookie! :)

IT's usually fresh, lines move quickly, and same fare as all the other Breads in the city. Large…read morearea to sit compared to some of the other locations. It's pricey but food is fresh.

Breads Bakery does a fab job with holiday preorders. The process was seamless and so much better…read morethan stressing out and running to multiple locations to try to get doughnuts. They have a table to pickup preorders so you don't have to wait in the main line. I ordered a dozen for $39. You can select your assortment. Here's my review in order from the best to the least desirable, according to our group. Vanilla custard- the filling was thick and speckled with vanilla beans. It wasn't too sweet. This was the best according to our group. Strawberry filled- this is most traditional and Breads Bakery does a nice job. The jam is homemade. Pistachio- this doughnut was filled with smooth pistachio cream and was topped with a few pieces of pistachio. Not traditional, but they did a good job. Chocolate- the filling tasted like a semisweet or bittersweet cream/custard. Like the others, it was smooth. The vanilla was more popular among our group and I personally didn't love this doughnut. Mango- this was the one that those in my group felt missed the mark. It wasn't cloyingly sweet, so that was good, but the filling didn't do anything for us either. If you're looking for a mango dessert the one at Lysée is a real winner.

I went on a canele hunt in NYC. This place 's canele has the best texture. Crispy on the outside…read moreand soft custard on inside . HoweverI, the flavour and presentation is better at Fournil , but miss madeleine got the best texture in town !

I've been a regular at Miss Madeleine's for the past three years. In fact, Miss Madeleine's, in my…read morehumble opinion, has the best croissants in the city - a city, mind you, that is not short on French bakeries. To place this boulangerie among the top is a grand statement indeed, and I stand by it. Miss Madeleine consistently churns out freshly baked goods that you can smell half a block away. If you're lucky, you may arrive on a day when the bread baskets are being filled with items fresh from the oven, which was the case on my last visit. I come here for my favorite treat from the menu: the ham and cheese croissant. Flaky on the outside yet soft and custardy on the inside, cheese light and melty slathered all over the tender sliver of ham. Warm, of course, having been pulled out not too long ago from the oven. I've tried other goods from this shop, including the leek and chives pastry that is packed full of flavor, and a slice of pistachio cake, also delicious and not too sweet. Miss Madeleine is a neighborhood favorite, and it will soon be yours if you give it a chance.

I popped in looking for a croissant, but it was kind of late in the day, so I didn't see any. I…read moreopted for the tiramisu and an iced black tea instead--good decision on my part! I wasn't there very long. It wasn't crowded, and I was able to get in and out without a problem on a Sunday evening. The server was super helpful, especially since it was my first time there. I don't like a lot of ice in my iced tea, and he was very accommodating, which I appreciated. I didn't need to sit down, but there was seating available, and the noise level seemed pretty average. Overall, a good first visit.

Love Naisnow for their baked goods! I maintain that they are my favorite egg tart and I will accept…read moreno other place if I am getting a bunch for a party. I brought a box of them for my lunar new year party last year and people at them up! I was also skeptical of the tiramisu and matcha tiramisu egg tarts cause I was afraid that it'd just be too much going on, and too sweet, but I was wrong about both! It definitely wasn't too sweet and the texture of the cake on top is soft, and the custard underneath blends well as well. It doesn't feel too heavy at all, though of course it's heavier than the egg tart alone. l've tried the drinks and I remain a HeyTea stan, but they have some interesting and healthier drinks that are more fruit-forward which is my thing. I do like that they change it up often though.

A friend recommended this place and I am so glad she did!…read more Food: Amazing and absolutely divine! My cousin got a chocolate chip cookie and theirs was probably the best one we've had this whole trip. It was so gooey and delicious. Service: Worker/cashier was absolutely kind! Her service was on point! Ambiance: Super cute inside and it was very clean! Overall, would come back and crave their pastries if I come back to NYC!

What a cute shop! Stopped in to grab a cake for my friends birthday and I really appreciated the…read moresize of these. Not humongous but still a decent serving Quick service with a handful of tables inside and out to sit at 4 stars not 5 because the dessert options aren't super expansive. I imagine La charlotte is their specialty. I also saw some people eating sandwiches from here which looked good but I didn't try