Sugar Rush: An NYC Cupcake Tour

This past Sunday, I went on a cupcake tour for my friend, Rosalind's, birthday. It was 2 hours of sweet, sugary goodness. I do consider myself a bit of a cupcake official, but I was even surprised by a couple of their choices. We started at Union Square and walked through the West Village. Here were six of our stops:

1. Baked by Melissa- They specialize in mini-cupcakes, and by that I mean that is all they sell. Each is under 50 calories and delicious. My fav is the chocolate chip pancake with maple frosting followed closely by the PB&J. They have stores all over NYC now!

2. Amorino Gelato al Naturale- We had passionfruit gelato. Just a spoonful of that goodness was enough to make me feel I ate an entire passionfruit!

3. Crumbs- The biggest cupcake chain in the world! It's a little over the top for me, but a definite tourist stop.

4. Molly's Cupcakes- My favorite spot on the tour. The owner had a third grade teacher named Molly who used to bake cupcakes for all the kids' birthdays. So, he named his magically school-themed cupcake shop after her. They also donate a portion of their profits to local schools, which I think is awesome. It's in the West Village and is precious! They also have a location in Chicago. I had a carrot cupcake with brown butter frosting. Heaven!

5. Milk & Cookies- I went to this spot a couple years ago with my friend, Susan Boatwright. We sampled their salted oat cookie with white chocolate on Sunday. Salty-sweet and delish!

6. Magnolia Bakery- Any "Sex and the City" fan knows this place has great cupcakes. Insider tip: their banana pudding makes their cupcakes taste like sawdust. Thank you Kelsey Maples for teaching me that!

When the sugar rush was at it's highest at the end of the tour, I got another injection of happiness...

Yep, that is the doorstep from Carrie's apt on "Sex and the City." I know men are rolling their eyes all over the world, but I love that show. It highlights all the great things about NYC and apparently, it's cupcakes too.

Salted Oat cookie. Pat didn't stop chewing for the pic. :) 

Evan & Pat on the swings at Molly's Cupcake

Hurricane Week

Need to grab a cab?

A French restaurant downtown. Patrons were eating sandwiches and drinking wine. How romantic!! 

Playground at the beach?

What a week! I have said that many times over the last seven days. Last Saturday, I was sitting in the new Broadway production of "Annie." This Saturday, thousands of people are sitting in the dark, waiting in gas station lines that are hours long, and picking up the pieces of houses that have been swept away. 

Last Sunday, I was prepping. People were buying water, food, batteries, and it was crazyness. It gave me anxiety just to walk down the street and see all these people lugging 18 packs of water. We awoke Monday to high, gusty winds and rain. It was an eerie sound to listen to the winds. We charged phones, watched the news all day, and I spoke to a multitude of friends throughout the day. (Thank you for all your thoughts & prayers!) We went to our neighbors house for dinner and made s'mores over the gas stove. Every time the lights flickered, we flinched. Whew!! However, throughout the entire storm, we had power! In fact, besides the loss of trains to Manhattan, we have had the easiest time in the storm. Had power, had internet, had friends over every night, and gotten a week off of school. Essentially, I feel like a brat. It's strange that just a few miles away, people have lost so much. 

It has been such an amazing week watching this incredible city prepare, weather, and rebound after the storm. The mayor, governor, and all the city officials have been incredible. Watching the news each day has been amazing. I have been watching quite diligently in order to check for the school closings. :) Please continue to think of and pray for the people that have lost power, are struggling through tough conditions, and those who have lost everything.