I've been a fan of Momofuku Milk Bar for a long time now. Christina Tosi, the award winning & highly talented pastry chef, is the brains behind these super successful bakeries, and I love the playful spin she puts on traditional homestyle desserts. The stellar line up of baked goods never fails to impress, and I always leave with my sweet tooth satisfied. Milk Bar is probably most known for the cereal milk soft serve (it's even trademarked!), and for good reason. This unique take on a childhood favorite gives me all sorts of nostalgic feels. The sweet & salty soft serve with hints of an almost-finished bowl of cereal is addicting enough on its own, and then it's topped with a generous sprinkling of crunchy cornflakes! To die for! While you're there, be sure to check out the unique cookie flavors as well. I love corn cookie, the coco cookie (part of the Klossie's colleciton with Karlie Kloss!), and the cornflake-chocolate chip-marshmallow cookie best, but really you can't go wrong with any of them! Milk Bar bakeries are also a great place to pick up a whole cake or pie for any special event!
peanut butter pretzel oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
I made these cookies for my husband on his birthday one year, and they quickly became a household favorite. We both love chocolate and peanut butter, so these fully loaded, salty-sweet cookies were a huge hit! But really, what's not to love when oats, chocolate chunks, and peanut butter pretzels are all involved?! You may want to whip up a double batch and keep some dough in the freezer, so that cookies are never too far away when the craving hits. Also make sure not to over-bake, so you'll get that delicious gooey, chewy center!
Peanut Butter Pretzel Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies:
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cups rolled oats
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup peanut butter pretzels, crushed
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chunks
Preheat oven to 375. Beat butter and sugar together in a stand mixer until smooth. Add egg and vanilla until combined. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt, then add in oats. Fold in peanut butter pretzels and chocolate chunks. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Remove dough from fridge and use an ice cream scoop to form big balls. Set on a baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Lightly press down on dough to flatten. Bake for about 10 minutes. Enjoy warm from the oven or cooled!
*Adapted from Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies by How Sweet It Is.
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gjusta
Gjusta has been on my must-visit list for a while. It's owned by the same team as Gjelina, the ridiculously popular and delicious veggie-focused, Mediterranean-inspired spot in Venice, so you know it's got to be top notch. Their beautiful pastries, pizzas & veggies frequently pop up on my Instagram feed, and never fail to make my mouth water. On a recent trip to LA, I was staying in Venice and decided to take myself out to dinner and finally cross it off my list! The choices are endless, and everything is tantalizingly displayed in front of you (although you can order off a menu as well), making it tricky to narrow it down. After talking to an employee behind the counter, getting his input and suggestions, I decided on a nice mix of healthy (and not) delights. First, a slice of pizza smothered in braised greens and fresh mozzarella, was thin with a nicely charred (but doughy!) crust and a great proportion of toppings. I also got a combo plate of the day's fresh salad offerings- marinated fennel and grilled broccolini- both super well-seasoned. The star of the show for me is always dessert, and I had been dying to try their baklava croissant. I know- baklava fillings (think nuts & honey) all rolled up in a perfectly flaky croissant! Sadly, and not surprisingly, they were sold out of this popular item, but I ended up with something equally satisfying. The miso date cookie was super unique and I adored the sweet & salty flavors it boasted! I definitely plan to return to Gjusta on my next trip to LA, and I can't wait to check out what new, seasonal offerings that have available. Hopefully I'll have better luck snagging the famed baklava croissant then as well!
rider
Rider opened recently in Williamsburg, and with it came a lot of hype. I had read article after article singing the praises of this American bistro & bar, so I was anxious to try it out. It was just an added bonus that it's literally around the corner from home. The interior downstairs is bright & light, with marble counters, tile tabletops & white brick walls. The upstairs offers a completely different feel- much more sleek & dark. Options for everyone! My husband and I were blown away- not just by the food, which was extremely delicious, but also with the service. The team was super helpful & generous, and we loved their attention to detail. Everything we ate was fresh, flavorful, and extremely well balanced. I cannot wait to go back for brunch!
STEAMED CLAMS
bacon, coconut, lemongrass, cilantro stems
TATSOI SALAD
coriander, celery, sunflower seeds, cider vinaigrette
LAMB BELLY
green romesco, almonds, pea shoots
FREGOLA + TURNIPS
greens, pistachio pesto, parm
DUCK BREAST
'nduja stuffed dates, parsnip, pekmez, hazelnuts
CHEESEBURGER
american cheese, cabbage, russian, fries
ROASTED VEG
shishito, carrots, scallion, celery hearts, bagna cauda
PARSNIP BREAD
coconut milk caramel, black walnuts, banana sorbet
