NYC Tastes

The theme for day two Eat@ICC focused on food made with freshly milled grains.  My first bite was a traditional take on the grain theme from local duo Jake Novick Finder and Maria Espina of Gristmill in Brooklyn with these warm flaky Garlic Knots topped with Everything Butter or Cacio e Pepe.   Steve Santana from Taquiza in Miami Beach took a different spin on the theme creating Tamal en Cazuela. This was wonderful. The texture was surprisingly soft with the spicy, rich flavor of blood sausage and white olotillo offset by the fresh herbs. My favorite of  the Mill Master theme had to be these amazing Buckwheat Crullers with goat milk custard, blackberry compote and honey miso butterscotch from Melissa Denmark of Gracie's in Providence, Rhode Island. The inside was eggy like a cannale perfect for soaking in the miso butterscotch with a caramelized outer shell. This was so incredible I went back for seconds then thirds...quite possibly the best dessert I'v...

Tuesday are pretty much the worst day of the week in every sense so I usually skip a regular lunch and go straight for some caffeine and sugar.  Lucky for me the newest location of Maison Kayser opened right across from my Brooklyn office...enter the Cafe Gourmand. A signature Parisien treat with espresso, macchiato or coffee paired with three mini desserts and a perfect financier on the side.   On my visit a delicate creme puff, raspberry tart and chocolate passion fruit were the chefs chosen desserts; each one a little bite of pastry heaven just perfect for getting through the day. Maison Kayser 57 Court Street Brooklyn, NY 11201

There's nothing better than the smell of fresh baked bread in the morning.  Something about that lovely aroma of yeast immediately makes me smile and has even been shown to make us  kinder human beings. Maison Kayser is the perfect place to tap into those aroma endorphins...from the gorgeous baguettes to their flaky, buttery croissants stuffed full of  Ham and Gruyere Cheese... ...it's like a little sensory overload of happiness. Maison-Kayser Multiple Locations in NYC

There are some things so beautiful they're almost too pretty to eat...like everything inside the pastry case at Maison Kayser. I usually go for something fancy like the beautiful Saint-Honore but when I'm feeling like a French classic that will be delicious in a pinch the incredible eclair is always a winner.  The airy Pate a Choux studded with vanilla beans and chocolate pearls...  ...then stuffed with that thick vanilla creme.  Does it get much better than this? Maison Kayser Multiple Locations in NYC

Maison Kayser just opened in the Flatiron District and the pastries seemed to call my name as I walked by the shop window.  So many wonderful looking things to choose from...long crusty baguettes, big fluffy brioche, layers upon layers of millefieulle and chocolate mousse.  I finally decided on two classics a Creme Brulee and an Almond Croissant. The croissant was different than most I've had... it was really flat and dense.  I was expecting a nice crunch on the outside edges but they were soft and the inside was quite doughy.  I missed pulling apart the flaky layers of pastry but enjoyed the sweet, nutty flavor of the bread. The Creme Brulee was little bit sweeter than I had imagined but maintained that crispy top shell and creamy pudding center even after sitting in the case a while.  It's obvious they keep on top of the pastry freshness.  My goal is to eat my way through each and every item on display. ...