Cooking
I don't think it's possible to go to New York and not have wonderful culinary experiences. It's just that kind of town. When something terrible happens, you can keep your "brown paper packages tied up with string" I will simply call to mind my dream dessert experience at ChikaLicious in the East Village.
I wrote about it years ago, because as someone who is terribly indecisive, the idea of a multi-course dessert menu sounded like a lot of fun. And I love the idea of a dessert only restaurant. Yes, a restaurant. It's much more than a cafe, it's fine service, pretty china, a lovely and relaxing ambiance and heavenly, perfectly balanced and proportioned desserts. It's also intimate, they can accommodate four guests per party, max.
The menu offers plenty of "a la carte" options, but I recommend the three course menu, with or without wine. These days with fine plated desserts hovering around $10, the prix fixe price of $12 feels like a bargain. Everyone who comes in seems to prefer sitting at the bar to watch everything being made, but I liked my little table for two and the unrushed service. The refreshing amuse was lemon sorbet in a white chocolate mousse. Cool, clean flavors reminded me of a most sophisticated lemon flavored orangesicle. Just lovely.
Next my "main course" a recommendation of the owner was the quince steamed pudding in a creme anglaise and Asian pear salad. This was the lightest fluffiest steamed pudding I ever ate, not stodgy or heavy or wet.
Portions are just right. The menu ends with coconut covered marshmallows, truffles and shortbread topped with lemon curd and a single pistachio.
The delicate shortbread was so good I picked up a package to take home. ChikaLicious thank you for being are everything I imagined you'd be!
ChikaLicious Dessert Bar
203 E 10th St
New York, NY
212-995-9511
Daily 3pm to 10:45pm
- Perfecting Pastry
Sad ending #1 An utterly average dessert that costs $10. Sad ending #2 A huge dessert that is way more than a single serving. Sad ending #3 When the only thing remotely fresh on the dessert menu is a mint or strawberry garnish on the invariable assortment...
- Town Hall:restaurant Review
I recently went to Town Hall, a restaurant that was chosen by San Franciscans as their favorite new restaurant* last year. Here's the thing, going to Town Hall is not just a dining experience. Town Hall serves fine food, but it really excels at vibe....
- Rnm:restaurant Review Closed
After all the festivities of November and December who wants to eat out in January? Well, I do! And you will too especially if you take advantage of Dine About Town a January promotion whereby you can eat in a whole roster of terrific restaurants for...
- Expecting Something Offal
Melissa and I were excited to try Bizou for our second Dine About Town dinner. All the reviews mention their "rustic" cuisine. Which is to say that they feature a lot of organ meats and various odd cuts of meat (beef cheeks, for instance). Unfortunately,...
- Acme Chophouse
The other night we had our first dinner as part of the Dine About Town festivities. Basically, a bunch of restaurants have offered 3-course, $30 prix fixe menus for dinners on what would otherwise be slow nights. For many of them, getting a single entrée...
Cooking
ChikaLicious Dessert Bar
I don't think it's possible to go to New York and not have wonderful culinary experiences. It's just that kind of town. When something terrible happens, you can keep your "brown paper packages tied up with string" I will simply call to mind my dream dessert experience at ChikaLicious in the East Village.
I wrote about it years ago, because as someone who is terribly indecisive, the idea of a multi-course dessert menu sounded like a lot of fun. And I love the idea of a dessert only restaurant. Yes, a restaurant. It's much more than a cafe, it's fine service, pretty china, a lovely and relaxing ambiance and heavenly, perfectly balanced and proportioned desserts. It's also intimate, they can accommodate four guests per party, max.
The menu offers plenty of "a la carte" options, but I recommend the three course menu, with or without wine. These days with fine plated desserts hovering around $10, the prix fixe price of $12 feels like a bargain. Everyone who comes in seems to prefer sitting at the bar to watch everything being made, but I liked my little table for two and the unrushed service. The refreshing amuse was lemon sorbet in a white chocolate mousse. Cool, clean flavors reminded me of a most sophisticated lemon flavored orangesicle. Just lovely.
Next my "main course" a recommendation of the owner was the quince steamed pudding in a creme anglaise and Asian pear salad. This was the lightest fluffiest steamed pudding I ever ate, not stodgy or heavy or wet.
Portions are just right. The menu ends with coconut covered marshmallows, truffles and shortbread topped with lemon curd and a single pistachio.
The delicate shortbread was so good I picked up a package to take home. ChikaLicious thank you for being are everything I imagined you'd be!
ChikaLicious Dessert Bar
203 E 10th St
New York, NY
212-995-9511
Daily 3pm to 10:45pm
- Perfecting Pastry
Sad ending #1 An utterly average dessert that costs $10. Sad ending #2 A huge dessert that is way more than a single serving. Sad ending #3 When the only thing remotely fresh on the dessert menu is a mint or strawberry garnish on the invariable assortment...
- Town Hall:restaurant Review
I recently went to Town Hall, a restaurant that was chosen by San Franciscans as their favorite new restaurant* last year. Here's the thing, going to Town Hall is not just a dining experience. Town Hall serves fine food, but it really excels at vibe....
- Rnm:restaurant Review Closed
After all the festivities of November and December who wants to eat out in January? Well, I do! And you will too especially if you take advantage of Dine About Town a January promotion whereby you can eat in a whole roster of terrific restaurants for...
- Expecting Something Offal
Melissa and I were excited to try Bizou for our second Dine About Town dinner. All the reviews mention their "rustic" cuisine. Which is to say that they feature a lot of organ meats and various odd cuts of meat (beef cheeks, for instance). Unfortunately,...
- Acme Chophouse
The other night we had our first dinner as part of the Dine About Town festivities. Basically, a bunch of restaurants have offered 3-course, $30 prix fixe menus for dinners on what would otherwise be slow nights. For many of them, getting a single entrée...