Turning to your planner and realizing that February 14th, also known as that dreadful holiday Valentines Day, has arrived and you notice nothing is scheduled. Since you have no plans set, walking around New York City, whether you are single or not, and figuring out what to do is often more difficult than it may seem. You deserve to take the day to treat yourself! Here are five places in the city that will sure have your sweet tooth tingling and your wallets crying.
1. DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections
DŌ, which opened at 550 LaGuardia Place near Washington Square Park, already has customers waiting in line for over two hours. Why? DŌ is a store dedicated to cookie dough. That’s right, your childhood dream of eating the cookie dough right out of the packaging has come true. You have the choice of various cookie dough flavors while also pairing it with some homemade ice cream. Did we forget to mention there is fudge to take home?!
Best advice, since Valentines Day is on a Tuesday this year, your wait in line will be significantly shorter as the craziest times to visit DŌ is during the weekend.
2. Sweets by Chloe
By Chloe, the famous vegan restaurant, has now added dessert bar to its repertoire. Right next door to the original By Chloe on 185 Bleeker Street is Sweets By Chloe; an entire store dedicated to vegan desserts as well as gluten free options. Whether you are in the mood for a mint cookie + cream cupcake or a cinnamon roll, don’t be afraid to splurge here as vegan and gluten free options are a healthy alternative to regular pastries. With the most expensive item on the menu being $8.95, there is such a thing as a healthy and cheap dessert!
3. Rice to Riches
This isn’t your traditional grandma’s rice pudding recipe. sorry grandma. Located at 37 Spring Street, their comical signs on the door are not for the fainted hearted. When you come to Rice to Riches, be prepared to eat and eat well. The outrageous flavors range from Oreo Gasm to Chocolate Chip Mint to Peanut Butter, with options changing weekly!
4. Veniero’s Pastry
When you’re living in New York City, you could be mislead to believe that you’ve had the best Italian pastry from some random restaurant. But that’s because you’ve never been to Veniero’s Pastry located at 342 E. 11th Steet (Between 1st and 2nd Avenue). For over 120 years, this authentic Italian café prides itself on its fresh ingredients by not using any preservatives or high fructose corn syrup.
5. Taiyaki
Do you still have room in your stomach? Good! After you’ve had cookie dough and cannolis, head over to 119 Baxter Street where you’ll find Taiyaki. Best known for their ‘fish-shaped Japanese waffle that is chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside…’ customers can create their own masterpiece such as black sesame or matcha ice cream topped with fruit or candy!