New York City: Food to Look out for

SHAKE SHACK

Shake Shack at Madison Square Park

I was told this was where Shake Shack began; from a hotdog stand in Madison Square Park. 

It turns 10 this year!

Single SmokeShack

Double ShackBurger

Fresh-cut Cheese Fries

These fresh-cut fries pride themselves in being hand-cut and never frozen. But I didn't quite like them because they were dry and hard. These however 'debuted' quite recently. Thankfully they aren't their regular fries. I tried their regular fries at the branch on F Street in Washington DC  and liked it more! I like having the taste of potatoes in the crinkle cut fries.  

Something else not to be missed is the peanut butter shake and it was so awesome!! Its a fatty fatty drink but the creamy texture, just-right consistency and nutty flavour makes it so irresistible! I heard the coffee shake is great too but I'm not a fan of coffee so I'm sticking to my peanut butter shake :)

Shake Shack

Southeast corner of Madison Square Park

near Madison Ave. and E. 23rd St. 

Subway: N/R or 6

Check out their full menu here. 

MAGNOLIA BAKERY

There are always queues here.

Its always nice to pick up a cupcake while shopping :)

I love how they take every effort to make this place look so retro :)

Those are for sale by the way. Great gifts for mothers or aunts if you're thinking.

Red Velvet with Whipped Vanilla Icing

I can't remember if the other was one of their daily specials

They have daily cupcake specials which are not on their menu so do check their webbie for updates! Besides, they open at 7am in the morning!! So if you're thinking of getting some cupcakes back home and you've got a late morning flight, its definitely possible!

Magnolia Bakery
Bloomingdale's. 1000 Third Avenue New York, NY
Check out their menu here.

ESS-A-BAGEL

Poppy Seed Bagel with Scallion Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon

I visited the Midtown East branch and the queue was already snaking at 8:30am in the morning. It was so difficult to find seats for a party of 5. Most of the people simply shared tables with others. It isn't a place to sit and chat cos it's so crowded but the bagels here are awesome!

They have a comprehensive menu on bagels+spreads+toppings, from savoury combinations to sweet combinations. But you can create your own bagel, simply select all they type of bagel, a spread from the numerous spreads they have and toppings (berries, veg, meat, fish). I chose a savoury one and it tasted so awesome!! The Scallion cream cheese totally stole the show from the smoked salmon. The mild onion-y flavour matched fatty smoked salmon just right :)

Ess-A-Bagel
Between 50st and 51st in Midtown East
Visit their webbie here.

EATALY

Salted Caramel Gelato

Eataly is a high-end Italian food market chain which has found its way to New York City. The branch in Manhatten is owned by a partnership including Mario Batali and other celebrity Chefs. This place is always crowded. Its impossible to dine there if no prior reservation was made. Didn't get to taste the food but it was nice just looking at the stuff they sold. Everything from meat to truffles to olive oil to Artisan chocolate was sold there. 

Got this map from the Shake Shack webbie but  you can see Eataly on it as well :)

Little Collins Cafe 

It would have been great if I tried brunch here but unfortunately, I chanced upon this right after I had a very filling Cream cheese Bagel from Ess-a-Bagel mentioned above. But that didn't stop me from getting a little something to drink and something small to munch on. This little cafe has this modern, clean feel and it serves such great coffee. 

I notice in their menu they don't list cakes, muffins and cookies. I'm thinking they serve something different everyday. Perhaps the bakery they get their supply of pastries from makes whatever it feels like making. This gives a mood of spontaneity and I guess its always nice to leave a little surprise to be discovered when you get there! I had a Banana Walnut Cake to go and I loved the baked edges and how moist it was :)

Check out their menu here.