Magnolia Bakery

Magnolia Bakery - 401 Bleeker Street (off 11th Street)
Made famous by Sex and the City, the cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery are touted as tasty, superlative...and generally irresistable. Today, I strolled over to Magnolia - to test the theory myself. The counter offers an array of cupcakes with do it yourself service, as well as several other sweet desserts (such as cheesecake and bread pudding.) The atmosphere is preppy, and the space a little crowded (expect a line, though it moved fast for me.) As for the cupcakes? Surprisingly reasonably priced (given the location), they only cost about $2.00 a pop - and the super sweet icing was the best part. The cupcake itself was no great shakes - and certainly not worth the return trip. Bottom line? If desserts are your thing, its probably worth checking out once. But don't expect an earth shattering experience...

Subway

Subway (American)
A well known fast-food chain, offering a range of heros...from chicken and ham to roast beef. Though a true review would be out of place, it's worth noting that the Veggie Delight Sandwich isn't half bad--especially with a wrap--offering hungry pedestrians a decent quick-bite option...definitely a few steps up from McDonalds!

S'Mac

S’Mac – 345 E. 12^th Street (1^st and 2^nd Avenues)
Decked in bright oranges and yellows, this new eatery follows in the footsteps of neighboring Otafuku – focusing on one menu item, though with a strikingly American focus. Located in the East Village, the specialty at S’Mac is Macaroni and Cheese, served in a variety of flavors. There are ten basic themes on the menu – from American Style to 4 Cheese or Cajun. Build your own options are also available, featuring optional ingredients from breadcrumbs, to meats and veggies. Though service can be somewhat slow, the dishes are satisfying. While not as stick to the ribs cheesy as Kraft, S’Mac offers a great trip down memory lane, which can be fun now and then. Now, where did I put that Okonomiyaki?

Peanut Butter & Co.

Peanut Butter and Co - 240 Sullivan Street (off Bleeker)
Recently, my culinary whims have been steering me towards specialty shoppes - novelty establishments with one or two items on the menu (both Asian and American). A surprising number of such places exist in New York, fetishing comfort foods such as:

Okonomiyaki's (Otafuku)
Macaroni and Cheese (S'Mac)
Grilled Cheese Sandwichs (Say Cheese)

Located in the West Village, PB&C continues the trend - offering a million and one ways to make that American culinary staple, the peanut butter sandwich. Pricier than your mother's PB, the $6 - $7 items on the menu run from classic sandwiches, to Fluffernutters with marshmellow fluff. Other artery clogging offerings include peanut butter with chocolate, jelly or nutella - on a variety of breads from bagel to wheat (vegan options available.) The service is pleasant -and though expensive, these munchies are filling - having ordered the cookie dough sandwich, I found it tasty - but too rich to eat more than half.

Given the cost, places such as Peanut Butter & Co. are destined to remain novelty acts. Good for one evening out on the town, but unlikely to garner repeat business. Still - its a cute idea...nicely presented. Besides, any place offering a menu item called "The Elvis" wins a spot in my memory book - for creativity at least.

Max Brenner

Max Brenner (Chocolate by the Bald Man) (Dessert) - 841 Broadway (in Union Square, off 14th Street)
Newly opened, and decorated in rich brown hues, Max Brenner's is a Willy Wonka wetdream - complete with a matrix of chocolate colored pipes crossing the ceiling, and sample tubs of varied confections gathered at the mini store near the entrance. Beautifully rendered, the glossy menus are pure (chocolate) food porn, with artfully photographed pictures of shakes, fondues and other chocolately goodness. Does the concept work? Mostly. The atmosphere is fun, and the service...acceptable. Of the three items that we personally sampled, only one was truly great. The cookie shake was good, but powdery (though fun to drink, presented in an "Alice in Wonderland" sipping cup, complete with metal straw.) The peanut crepe was rich - too rich, with an overpoweringly peanut butter flavor. Ah, but the chocolate pizza with marshmellows? Now that was inspired - complete with rich, melted chocolate and gooey marshmellows. Half a pizza was enough - and definitely worth the overall trip. As for the atmosphere - suffice it to say that Max Brenner's isn't haute cuisine in the chocolate dept. - the vibe is strictly Cheesecake Factory, so those with higher pretentions will probably be turned off. But for the rest of us Max Brenners might be the perfect celebratory stop, say - once every year? Go at least once - and experience Max's Love for yourself.