Levain Bakery

Levain bakery....oh my. My husband and I ended our date this past weekend with a trip to Levain. We had heard several Levain accolades and could wait no longer to try the "best chocolate chip cookies in Manhattan."

Yes, it is true. There are some really, really good chocolate chip cookies here in NYC (I also like Jacques Torres and City Bakery to be specific) but these take the cake (or cookie?).

It may have to do with the fact that the cookies are humongous. Yes, 6 ounces huge. Our cookie was about 5 inches wide and about 1.5 inches tall. If you live in Manhattan, or plan a trip here sometime soon, you will want to give these a try.

The bakery is on 74th and Amsterdam, and is teeny tiny (and not really all that stroller accessible). Make sure you ask for one right out of the oven, they are not quite as amazing when they cool down.

If you don't live in Manhattan, you can still have your Levain Cookies- at a price. You can get 4 cookies delivered to your door for $22 + shipping.

Even though it could be argued that the cookies are worth that much, there is another option. You can try to hack the recipe at home. There are several websites who have posted their attempt at cracking the Levain Bakery recipe. I haven't tried these out yet, but trying to make a cookie that closely resembles Levain's may become my new found hobby.

Conversations With A Cupcake

Picky Palate

Recipezaar

Lisa Michele

This video shows the Levain owners in action.

Top photo via

Bottom photo via

YUM!!

If you live in NYC, or are planning at trip out here in your lifetime- this Gelato place needs to be visited. Unbelievable.

Words cannot appropriately express how amazing this frozen dessert tastes. The only GROM gelato shop in North America is here in Manhattan on the Upper West Side (76^th and Broadway).

All of the remaining shops are located throughout northern Italy. I have tried the stracciatella, hazelnut, and cioccolato extra-noir flavors, all of which are highly recommended.

There will be another shop opening on Bleeker Street this Spring in Manhattan. If any of you have tried GROM- let me know what your favorite flavor is, so I know what to get next! Thanks for the recommendation Lizzie and Ada!

The Boon give-away will continue until this Sunday at Midnight!