I have been on a sweets binge, I admit it. For the past few weekends, (If you have read my blog for any period of time, you know this is when I splurge on calories and the like.) So, for the past few weekends, I have been trying several places, and going back to old favorites. This weekend Tim and I tried the new "itty bitty little bit of a thing" bakery in Park Slope, Zana. Though I am fairly certain this is a retail bakery and not a patisserie, I very much enjoyed it. Sunny yellow walls greet you as you walk into this space, which I kid you not, is smaller than my closet. The salesperson was nice and very helpful, telling me about the different offerings. Rumor has it that this place has a crazy tale of patisserie and marriages splitting leading to it's opening, but to be honest, I don't care how it opened so much as that it opened. Tim and I ordered the chocolate purse filled with chocolate hazelnut mousse and set upon a french meringue, and for breakfast the following day, a chocolate muffin, the size of a small child. If I am fortunate enough to become pregnant in the near future, I can very much see myself falling deeply for this place. They had a goat cheese and vegetable sandwich in the case that I can't wait to sink my teeth into. And with their uber convenient location at the top of the F train steps, you can't go wrong.
The desserts were so rich I could only afford a few bites. (Not to worry though, Tim could have eaten 2 of those purses!) The intense, dark chocolate exterior had a wonderful "snap" when you bit into it. (No forks were used, due to the fact Tim wanted it NOW...as soon as we entered the truck!) The mousse was at once fluffy and dense. The flavor lingered on your palate not unlike a good Bordeaux. It sort of spread from the tip of your tongue to your nose and back again. A wonderful experience. The meringue somehow stayed crunchy despite being surrounded by the wonderful mousse, and gave the purse an unexpected but welcomed texture contrast.
The muffin was good, but not as wonderful as the purse. (Though to be fair, it was eaten later) It had a very different shape, as though they put a TON of batter in each portion and just let them run together in the baking process. The muffin was not as chocolatey as other similar muffins I have had, but I think that's good, seeing as how it's basically a breakfast cupcake. It paired well with my sumatra coffee.
I also want to mention that compared to other bakeries, (and even grocery stores) in the area, Zana was particularly affordable. The chocolate purse and the muffin only set us back slightly over $5. A real bargain if you ask me.
Though I don't make mention of it very often, and you couldn't tell by reading my posts, I have certain dietary issues. For one, all of the desserts that you see me eat, I only get to eat maybe 1 or 2 bites at best. My body does not appreciate sugar, and dairy, the way that I do. I can eat certain hard cheeses and goat cheese pretty easily, but things like full fat mozzarella or ice cream especially, don't like me. In fact, they can make me downright miserable. Also a major offender? Butter. While my husband could eat a butter and dulce de leche sandwich, I am left on the sidelines eating a sprouted spelt and hummus sammy. (not that it isn't delicious.) Also, lately even my favorite thing, gluten, has been bothering me. But there is a place for me in this world, and that place is Babycakes Bakery on the LES of Manhattan. At Babycakes, there is a whole world of baked goods for me, from cupcakes to pie, from cookies to pound cake. And trust me, they are a Godsend to people like me. Sunday Tim and I ordered a trio of desserts, a chocolate chip cookie, a carrot cupcake, and a brownie. The frosting on the cupcake was heaven, and not a speck of butter. It doesn't need it, it's insanely delish on it's own. The cupcake itself was bursting with carrot and spice flavor, and as fluffy as any non-spelt cupcake I have had. The brownie was just enough brownie for 1 person, and had plenty of chocolate chips in it to satisfy my crazy chocolate problem. The cookie was crisp and chewy at the same time. Overflowing with chips, this cookie did not let me down. Though Tim dislikes the atmosphere at the bakery (he HATES hipsters, and this bakery attracts them in droves) he admitted the sweets were very good. Though he still, hands down prefers Baked in Brooklyn. Which I will admit, have the best lattes in town and have a tremendous product. I just can't indulge there like I can at Babycakes.
Just so that you don't think I have lost my healthy sensibilities, for dinner tonight I am making stir fried tofu with soy noodles in an almond butter and soy sauce tossed with broccoli, kale, bok choy and red pepper. You see? It's ALL about BALANCE!
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