Hot chocolate, hot chocolate, hot chocolate at City Bakery

Under food:

City Bakery
Flatiron/Union Square

After another satisfying meal at Nyonya (we got house special crabs this time), we were in the mood for dessert. We're heard of City Bakery's hot chocolate, so we went to check it out.

City Bakery is in a very nice, airy cafeteria-style space. You could practically just lounge there all day nursing your drink. I was kinda disappointed that there wasn't a bigger array of pastries to pick from, since I thought it was mainly a bakery.

DJKung and I got hot chocolate. His pops got coffee, which he said was pretty good.

Left: honey and raisin scone. Right: hot chocolate with giant-sized marshmallow. The scone was light and buttery. The chocolate... well. It was soooo rich and chocolately, as if they just melted a big bar of premium chocolate and poured it in a cup. The hot chocolate was literally in a big soup pot, which they had to stir a bit before ladling out. We liked the it a lot, although it was a bit too sweet. DJKung was impressed with the sheer density of the marshmallow.

Apple tart. This was excellent. The apple slices were caramelized and full of apple goodness.

We could not finish our hot chocolate because it was just too rich. After overnight refrigeration, it was so super-thick, it was mousse-like. You could have stuck a metal spoon in the cup and it would have stood upright, so thick it was.

I think we'll try this place again, maybe for lunch or dinner. The hot cocoa was just waaay too rich; we'll probably split a cup next time.

The meanest "Monkey Bread" this side of the Hudson River

Bathazar Bakery

214 South Dean St

Englewood, NJ 07631

Tel: 201-503-9717

Fax: 201-503-9721

http://www.balthazarbakery.com/

Fig tart --- almost didn't make it home!

This bakery is a jewel in an unassuming building in the Englewood industrial area. Upon entering, we were surprised at how big this bakery was; the workers (separated from the bakery by a big glass window) were working with large masses of dough!



Balthazar had a nice offering of artisanal bread and tarts. We picked an assortment to try out. The pan au chocolat was crusty and had nice chunks of dark chocolate; it would've been great with a nice warm cup of milk. DJKung picked the monkey bread, a balanced and hearty cinnamon roll (like an urban version of a cinnabon). The tarts were really inviting and we got two. The fig tart (above) was excellent---flaky crust, ripe succulent fruit and a lightly sweet cream filling to bring it together. The fig tart was equally tasty.

Yes, it is the same Balthazar as that hot spot in the Village. And yes, the goodies aren't at your suburban supermarket bakery prices. Then again, Monkey bread is rare in these parts...