Nueva York will require 2 posts. The superation of noteworthy bakeries will overwhelm all of us if done in 1.

So we’ll start with Magnolia Bakery.

I’ve heard a lot of editorials about Magnolia. Like one of my NYC culinary classmates griping that it’s “not even good and it’s only famous because it was on Sex and The City.” Or “who would ever wait in line for a cupcake?” But Magnolia did for cupcakes what Rachel Ray has done for raspy voiced, over-the-shoulder-salt-throwers. It’s cool. And frankly, I love it…a lot. Their display is clean, they’re staff is sensationally friendly, and their goods are good. Of course Sex and the City and Andy Samberg made Magnolia nationally famous, but they were locally famous long before they were rapped about.

Vanilla with Chocolate, 2 Vanilla with Buttercream (pink and blue)

Red Velvet, and Carrot Cake

I sometimes think their buttercream is a little too sweet, like a karate kick in the sweet tooth. But the flavor after the sweet is so wonderful that I forget about the initial assault. And their red velvet cake is undoubtedly my favorite in the city.

Next was Two Little Red Hens.

I’m big into asking the locals and when you ask NYC locals, they’ll tell you to go here. Most bakeries in New York have a version of chocolate cake called a “Brooklyn Blackout” cake and TLRH has my favorite Brooklyn Blackout cake. Their red velvet is really good too. On the flipside though, their vanilla with buttercream is my least favorite in the city.

I love the way their cakes always look. Some of them are a

little ornate for my taste, but they’re beautiful.

And lastly, Cafe Palermo on Mulberry Street.

I’ve loved Cafe Palermo for years. As in last January, a BFF and I braved 13 degree weather and the wind chill of Antarctica to make it to this Little Italy gem only to find it closed. Gasp! The family closed up shop to visit Italy and there I was, eyelashes frozen, feeling as though someone had just broken up with me. Why? How could they? You may think I’m crazy, but eat their cannoli and then try and judge me.

I have a love affair with Italian pastries.

I also highly recommend Pasticceria Bruno. It’s also top-notch.