FOOD
BEST CAKE
EILEEN’S SPECIAL CHEESECAKE
17 Cleveland Pl
(212) 966-5585–www.eileenscheesecake.com
New Yorkers know that you can never go
wrong with a slice of cheesecake from Eileen’s
Special Cheesecake bakery. The shop, founded
by the late Eileen Avezzano, has been in
downtown Manhattan for four decades and
has since served up the most airy, decadent
and addictive cheesecakes in the city. You can
visit their intimate shop or have them deliver
their award-winning cheesecakes, which
range from the original graham cracker crust
with classic filling to chocolate cookie crust
with banana filling. They even have seasonal
cheesecakes and mousse cakes, including
rocky road cheesecake with a graham cracker
crust and white chocolate raspberry mousse
with graham cracker crust. One bite of their
cakes, and you’ll understand why it is, as they
say, “a treat that’s hard to beat!”
BEST CANDY STORE
DYLAN’S CANDY BAR
1011 3rd Ave
(646) 735-0078–www.dylanscandybar.com
All you need is one step inside of Dylan’s
Candy Bar to know you’ve entered a whimsical
candy wonderland — one that’s perfect for
kids and that’s sure to bring out the kid in any
adult. It’s no wonder that their founders pulled
inspiration from the fictional story of Willy
Wonka when creating the magical and colorful
space that is Dylan’s, which houses more
than 7,000 edible treats and candy-inspired
lifestyle product. Although it first opened up
shop in New York City, Dylan’s has expanded
to other major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles
and Miami. But their flagship, located on 1011
3rd Avenue is considered a favorite among
New Yorkers and tourists, thanks to their popart
installations on their ground floor and their
fudge and ice cream bar on the bottom floor.
BEST COOKIES
LEVAIN BAKERY
167 W 74th St
(917) 464-3769–www.levainbakery.com
These decadent cookies have been delighting
dessert lovers since 1995. Founders Pam
Weekes and Connie McDonald were both
competitive swimmers and would often talk
about their shared passion for baking. The
conversations soon led to the pair leaving their
respective careers in fashion and finance and
starting their own baking company and so,
Levain was born. The West 74th Street bakery
became known for its giant six-ounce cookies,
baked fresh every day. For nearly 25 years,
Levain has also donated its leftover sweets
to charity every night. Today, Levain has five
locations in New York City and plans to open
a sixth in NOHO by 2020. Cookies include the
famous chocolate chip walnut, dark chocolate
chocolate chip, dark chocolate peanut butter
chip and oatmeal raisin.
BEST CUPCAKES
TWO LITTLE RED HENS
1652 2nd Ave
(212) 452-0476–www.twolittleredhens.com
Two Little Red Hens is a widely acclaimed
American bakery offering cakes, cheesecake,
cupcakes, pies, cookies, muffins, scones,
biscuits, cinnamon rolls, coffee cake and more.
Its delicious large and mini cupcakes: carrot
cake, chocolate cake, and red velvet, never
disappoint. It’s not too sweet and is super soft
and moist with a nice added frosting for your
taste buds. Other cupcakes include peanut
butter fudge, banana, mini key lime, Boston
cream, double vanilla and double chocolate.
The spot is usually filled to capacity with
customers, so you’ll be lucky to get a table
there even close to closing. The next time you
have a sweet tooth craving, a visit to Two Little
Red Hens is highly recommended..
BEST DESSERT
BESFREN
315 5th Ave
(212) 685-1003–www.besfren.com
Got a sweet tooth? Besfren offers a delightful
menu of highly artistic desserts that are not
only Instagram-worthy, but will have you
coming back again and again. Each handcrafted
pastry is based from an authentic
recipe and given a unique twist that will have
you wanting more. From rollcakes and chiffon
doughnuts to tarts and macaroons, each
dessert comes in a variety of flavors, so there
is something that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
And if you only want a taste of something
sweet, Besfren offers a mini dessert menu. Not
into sweets? No problem. Besfren also has a
few savory dessert options to choose from as
well.
BEST DONUT
DOUGHNUT PLANT
220 W 23rd St
(212) 505-3700, ext. 220–www.doughnutplant.
com
The New York Times once described
Doughnut Plant as serving up “doughnuts
of the gods,” which sums up the experience
you’re in for when you taste any of their
handmade, artisanal donuts. Doughnut Plant
is considered a hidden gem in the city ever
since Mark Israel began creating his specialty
donuts based on his grandfather’s recipe out
of his apartment in 1994. Now, they have four
locations in Manhattan, two in Brooklyn and
one in Queens. Doughnut Plant is committed
to providing customers with novel varieties of
donut flavors — such as red velvet, valrhona
chocolate, coconut cream square donuts and
pistachio sourdoughnuts with the finest and
freshest ingredients they can find. They not
only invented the first-ever crème brûlée
donut, but also offer 100 percent vegan and
gluten-free options.
BEST DUMPLINGS
VANESSA’S DUMPLING HOUSE
118 Eldridge St
(212) 625-8008–www.vanessas.com
If you’re craving dumplings, then Vanessa’s
Dumpling House in Chinatown is the place
to grab a bite! The family-run business was
established in 1999, where Vanessa sold her
first batch of dumplings attentive detail and
quality and adherence to centuries of tradition
passed down from her grandparents and
parents. Daily fresh ingredients are used to
make sesame pancake breads, fillings, noodles,
soups, salads and sauces many times each
day. Vanessa’s offers seasonal dumplings such
as pumpkin and zucchini, lamb and squash,
and spicy and banana dumplings that reflect
her creativity as well as the diversity of New
York. The name Vanessa’s is recognized by
New Yorkers – students, artists and families
,international travelers, NY businesses and
caters as she shares her recipes with hundreds
of people daily.
BEST EMPANADAS
KC GOURMET EMPANADAS
38 Ave B
(917) 675-7039–www.kcgourmetempanadas.
com
Head over to KC Gourmet Empanadas to get
a taste of flaky, fried dough stuffed with an
endless array of delicious ingredients. The
menu options range from the more traditional
empanadas like ground beef, cheese and spicy
chorizo to innovative varieties like eggplant
and beef, spicy mushroom and macaroni
and cheese with bacon. KC even serves up
a selection of dessert empanadas including
guava and cheese, apple pie and strawberry
shortcake. Not in the mood for empanadas?
Grab a slider made with tostones “buns,”
steamed tamales stuffed with a choice of meat
and wrapped in banana leaves or a savory
entree served with yucca or patacones. The
restaurant even has vegan options including
a mushroom and spicy mushroom empanada
and vegan rice pudding.
BEST FALAFEL
MAMOUN’S FALAFEL
119 Macdougal St
www.mamouns.com
16 BETHPAGE BEST OF THE CITY 2020 • WINNERS GUIDE • BESTOFNEWYORKCITY.COM
Ground chickpeas or fava beans, herbs and
spices come together harmoniously in a tasty
dish known as falafel. Since 1971, Mamoun’s
Falafel has sold the deep-fried balls at its
East Village shop, which is the oldest falafel
restaurant in New York and one of the first
Middle Eastern establishments in the United
States. Mamoun’s built up a reputation for
serving up authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in
a traditional environment. Every dish is made
from scratch, using fresh, natural ingredients,
fine imported spices and Mamoun’s signature
recipes. The restaurant’s falafel sandwiches
are served inside pita bread with salad and
tahini (sesame) sauce. Patrons can order
Middle Eastern favorites like hummus, baba
ganoush, shawarma and various meat kebabs.
Finish off the meal with a sweet piece of
baklava, knafeh or mabrumeh.
BEST FOOD TRUCK
THE HALAL GUYS
W 53rd St & 6th Ave
(347) 527-1505–www.thehalalguys.com
From humble beginnings as a NYC hotdog
cart, The Halal Guys have been serving
up the best Halal food there is—becoming
a phenomenon with club goers, tourists
and locals gladly waiting in line for hours
to enjoy a coveted platter of spiced grilled
chicken or lamb over yellow jasmine rice (or
chicken/lamb gyro or falafel over rice) with
an enigmatic white sauce. The Halal Guys
was established by three founding partners
in 1990. Fast forward 25 years, five carts,
two New York City restaurants, and millions
of diverse customers served, the business is
growing yet again sharing American Halal
Food all over the country and the world.
BEST FRIED CHICKEN
BLUE RIBBON FRIED CHICKEN
28 E 1st St
(212) 228-0404–www.blueribbonfriedchicken.
com
What started as a dream between two brothers
from New Jersey in 1992 has since grown
into New York’s mecca for fried chicken: Blue
Ribbon Fried Chicken. Their menu, as the
name would suggest, exclusively offers fried
chicken in a number of vessels in addition to
your traditional bone-in selections: they serve
chicken as bites, tenders, sandwiches, and
more! Combine that with your favorite side
and drink and you’ve got yourself a top-notch
fried chicken meal to enjoy. Catering a party
that calls for fried chicken? Blue Ribbon Fried
Chicken’s party platters are a great centerpiece
to your game day party or family picnic.
Whether you eat in, take it to go or have it
delivered, you’ll surely be satisfied at Blue
Ribbon Fried Chicken.
BEST GOURMET FOOD
STORE
TRADER JOE’S
142 E 14th St
(212) 529-4612–www.traderjoes.com
Shop at Trader Joe’s East Village where you’ll
find organic products in the Trader Joe’s label
like mandarin orange chicken, cauliflower
gnocchi, and cold brew coffee concentrate, as
well as organic milk, eggs, meat, and organic
produce. Their dietary lists include gluten-free,
kosher and vegan products. Besides groceries,
the store also sells a vibrant selection of fresh
flowers daily. Most importantly, it offers
delicious, quality products at the best prices.
The store is proud to offer unique products at
prices everyone can afford, everyday. There
are no coupons, membership cards, discounts
and glitzy promotions or couponing wars at
the stores.
/www.mamouns.com
/www.mamouns.com
/www.doughnutplant
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