Thursday
Jan032008
Cakewalk in the Chelsea Market, NYC
Thursday, January 3, 2008
If pressed to choose one building to be stuck in overnight in a Mannequin-esque sort of way, the Chelsea Market wouldn't be a bad spot. Residing in what used to be the National Biscuit Company (you may know them as Nabisco, makers of all sorts of items from Saltines to Animal Crackers to Oreos), this is a strangely unassuming building from the outside, opening up into a gorgeous urban market including flower shops, boutiques...and bakeries, lots of bakeries. On our recent trip back east, we spent quite a bit of time in this historic building residing on Ninth and Tenth Avenues between 15th and 16th Streets; here were some of our favorite spots:
Cakespy Note: The address for all of the retail spaces at the Chelsea Market is 75 Ninth Avenue; thus, we have not labeled the addresses individually below.
Amy's Bread: We love Amy's Bread in so, so many ways, but most of all for their perfect pink-frosted yellow cake which is available by the slice most days. We're proud to say that we've tried it in all three locations (this one, Bleecker Street, and Hell's Kitchen), and each is excellent. Their other pastries are no slouch either; even Zagat has called out their excellence. (212) 462-4338; online at amysbread.com.
Chelsea Market Baskets: A great find--chock full of wonderful Scottish shortbread and "oaties", fancy little imported marzipan cakes and other gourmet treats from the likes of Ditty's Home Bakery, Cookie it Up and Frank's Luxury Biscuits. We fell for the Nancy's Fudge Cups at first bite; the Leonidas truffles looked wonderful. As a bonus to non-NYC residents, they do ship a lot of cookies and less perishable items nationwide! (212) 727-1111; online at chelseamarketbaskets.com.
Eleni's: Cookies, and cakes, and cupcakes--oh my! This is an extremely cool place, with white exposed brick walls and extremely photogenic baked goods (see top photo). Sure, cookies will top $4, but hey, rent's pretty high in Chelsea. Negative points for telling us to stop taking photos though, although we resisted the urge to say "don't you know who we are?". Kidding. (888) 435-3647; online at elenis.com.
Fat Witch Bakery: Somewhere between fudge, and a brownie, is the Fat Witch Brownie: extremely dense, rich, fudgy and excellent. Don't make the mistake of trying to eat one of these dry though--they cry out for a glass of milk (perhaps at the Ronnybrook Farm Dairy? see below) as accompaniment. Happily, these can be shipped nationwide; check out their online store! (212) 807-1335; online at fatwitch.com.
Milk Bar @ Ronnybrook Farm Dairy: Holy Cow (sorry, couldn't resist). Places like this make you marvel at how creamy and good something so simple as milk can taste. The milkshakes are close-your-eyes-with-pleasure good; they have a full lunch menu too, full of appetizing dishes to warm you up for dessert. (212) 741-6455; online at ronnybrook.com.
Ruthy's: A solid offering of cakes and treats, although we wish they didn't put those novelty cookies and cakes on display right as you walk in; the stuff inside (rugelach, cakes, etc) looked so much nicer. (212) 463-8800; online at ruthys.com.
Sarabeth's: We much prefer this outpost to the famous Upper East Side location, in which we've never felt quite "pinkies out" enough. Still, killer jam (you may recognize the name; they sell their jam at Williams-Sonoma stores), and their weekend specials, including pumpkin waffles with sour cream, raisins and maple syrup, are awe-inspiring. (212) 989-2424; online at sarabeths.com.
For more information about the Chelsea Market, visit chelseamarket.com. Got any other Chelsea Market spots to suggest? Email us!
Reader Comments (23)
Too yummy for words, I think I just gained about 10 lbs looking at the pictures!
Ok I'm printing out this post and taking it with me next week. I've got to hit one of these places or else!!!
Yummmy blog site. I am inspired.
Cakespy, thanks for your lovely comment on my blog - nice to know you are reading! As for your recent post It's just as well I am not accompanying my husband to NY in February as I'd likely spend all my time at the Chelsea Market!
Oh! Those pictures! It all looks so marvelous. (You're so lucky to have access to it all.)
Aw, I particularly love those cookies shaped like taxis and such... So cute!
Those sesame street cupcakes are so freaking adorable. And I"m sure if eleni's had realized who your were, you would've gotten free samples!
Gorgeous, gorgeous treats. But my favorite has to be Ruthy's rugelach. In fact, I included it in my almost vegetarian gift blogs, they are that good.
See, even an almost vegetarian can have a sweet tooth.
Cheers!
Love the chelsea market! You make me feel justified in my desire to eat my way through NYC bakeries.
Man this makes me miss New York!!! Perfect summary. Perfect.
The New York cookies at the top are a marvel! I'd pay $5 for one of those but might have a problem taking the step to destry it with the first bite!
Maybe I should get that photo made into a poster instead so I could enjoy it all the time, hee hee.
I am obsessed with Chelsea Market -- I can waste whole afternoons or days there! And I really like Bowery Kitchen Supplies for pots and pans and whatnot, usually good prices and HUGE selection!
I haven't been to Chelsea Market in years (sad, I know) - looks like some great places!!
Delish! I'll be in the city for a week later this month. Looking forward to the bakeries and other goodies!
*fears the Elmo cake*
Your cakewalk posts make me sad that I can't get to these places. But at least there are pretty pictures!
I just discovered your blog...LOVE IT! I am having so much fun here! Thanks! It is such great inspiration for me as I am building my own new little cake business. Your shipping cupcakes article was hilarious!!
http://layersoflove.blogspot.com
The Sesame Street cupcakes are way too cute to eat! You must have amazing willpower being so close to all these wonderful bakeries. Don't know that I could do it!
Everytime I look at your blog I get a sweet tooth! :-)
Love all the cookies and brownies ... If I had the money, I would sure visit the Chelsea Market and certainly would visit fatwitch.com!!
It takes one witch to know another witch haha ....
What gorgeous treats, talk about temptation I just love all these goodies!! :D
Rosie x
a.: I think we might have (literally) gained 10 pounds, collectively. :-)
Ello: have an awesome trip! Let us know what awesome pastries you have!
Pssst: Thanks!
Kat: Thanks, and hopefully you have a *little* time to check out the market!
Sher: Well put! It's a great place to visit.
Bittersweetblog: I know, aren't they cute??
Vegan Noodle: well, that's what we're telling ourselves. ;-)
Almost Vegetarian: Wow, that is a good review! Rugelach is so good!
Surcie: Do it! Just walk everywhere, it will all burn off!
EB: Yes, it made me (jessie) miss NYC too! :-( Maybe Mr. Cakespy will listen to me and we can move back one of these days.
Rockerjewlz: ooh, poster! That would be a great piece of home decor.
Katy: Ooh I think we walked by that place! Just love that Chelsea Market!
Veggiegirl: time to go back! So many excellent spots.
Thegirltastes: I know, we are a little scared too. But hopefully you'll get to visit the market one of these days!
Jen: Thanks! Excited to do a batter chatter with you.
Rural Vegan: It was like being a kid in a candy shop here. Whenever we get back to NYC it's like "game on"!!!
Jeena: Welcome to our world.
Pancake Queen: Hopefully you will get to visit! Fat witch does ship, but it is probably pricey to where you are!
Rosie: I know! Do you have any cool markets like this in your neck of the woods?
I love browsing Chelsea Market. I think I get a sugar high just smelling all those baked goods!
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