Category: Indulgence

Sweets/ guilty pleasure foods

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Dining Featured Indulgence

Cookie Dough as a Platform for Mental Health

Cookie dough company Doughp

Building a Brand with a Mission for Mental Health

Any entrepreneur should know the what, how, and why of what they’re selling — yet most times, the “why” is missing.

The businesses that stand out and succeed most often do so because they’re able to tap into the broader mission their specific product, service, or cause is supporting, and the “what” and “how” simply become the vehicle for an entrepreneur’s more significant impact.

At Doughp, a cookie dough company founded by Kelsey Moreira in early sobriety, her “why” of selling cookie dough taps way beyond the indulgent taste of her sweet desserts, which with no eggs and heat-proof flour can be eaten raw or baked, and taps into crafting cookie dough as a platform for mental health and addiction recovery, which Moreira herself connects with.

“The story to Doughp begins in early sobriety, jumping back in the kitchen and baking nights and weekends,” Moreira recalls, adding that her free time spent baking was “really kind of a self-discovery moment to figure out who ‘Kelsey’ was and what she likes to do.” Coming off of the heels of a ten-year career in tech,

Moreira soon made the jump full-time to launching her own cookie dough company after receiving enough encouragement from friends, family, and colleagues who all enjoyed the treats she’d often gift them with.

Cookie Dough on the Ride to Recovery

Opening her first storefront on Pier 39 in San Francisco in 2017, Doughp initiated #Doughp4Hope that same year “to break the stigma around mental health and addiction recovery,” Moreira emphasizes.

The company quickly launched into the big-time as Moreira was soon featured on a hit reality television series Shark Tank and recognized as an honoree of Forbes 30 Under 30. Yet with Doughp’s growth topping the charts at 219% each year, the same mission has carried through to make a difference. “This is so much more than cookie dough to me.

In fact, I would say we’re not a cookie dough company — we’re trying to give people a chance to make an impact around issues that matter to them, with mental health and recovery at the forefront. That’s really what we’re selling: the chance to make an impact,” Moreira underscores.

In 2021, Doughp partnered with, SHE RECOVERS Foundation to provide 1% of all sales to support the non-profit’s initiatives. As Moreira explains, “they also support mental health challenges, life challenges, substance abuse disorders, eating disorders,” mentioning that SHE RECOVERS takes care to acknowledge that “we’re all in recovery from something.

I certainly really aligned with their philosophy and I’m proud to be a partner of theirs.”

Looking ahead, Moreira sees expanding the company to crafting cookie dough as a platform for mental health while including a broader palette of indulgent desserts, with expansion still geared towards raising awareness for mental health and addiction recovery.

“Looking at Doughp as just a cookie dough company would be short-sighted, so I really see evolving the business into a food platform for mental health and addiction recovery,” she adds. 

To order Doughp cookie dough and support their mission, visit doughp.com. 

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Featured Indulgence NYC Travel Uncategorized

Fall Foliage Cruise

Classic Harbor Line is waiting to take you on relaxing cruises up the Hudson

Being a city dweller, we may not always find the time or have the opportunity to get out of the city, breathe the fresh crisp air, and take in the stunning fall colors.
If you are like us when we think about packing a day bag, renting a car, or taking a train, car service, and figuring out where to go to see the best view for fall foliage, by the time we get through all the planning conversation, were already exhausted.
What if I were to told you that you can take a quick cab to Chelsea Piers, from anywhere in the city it’s about 10 minutes, walk just a few steps to find the most luxurious yachts awaiting you, quickly whisking you away for a 2.5-hour yacht cruise up the Hudson River?
Yacht Manhattan

Sail up the Hudson River to the Grand Palisades

Well then, I’m telling you to pack a small bag with just your camera and a snack, as Classic Harbor Line is waiting to take you on relaxing cruises. Sail up the Hudson River to the Grand Palisades, where you and your guests will see sites such as:
  • The beautiful Upper West Side of Manhattan
  • The majestic George Washington Bridge & the Little Red Lighthouse
  • The Riverside Cathedral, Grant’s Tomb & the Cloisters
  • Hudson River Valley up to within view of Tappan Zee Bridge
  • Palisades Park – one of New York’s most dramatic geological features riverside features
Yacht Kingston

Classic Harbor Line’s Grand Palisades Fall Foliage Cruises 

Motor up the Hudson River on Friday-Sunday only, until November 15. This 2.25-hour excursion is offered on Fridays with a 2:00 pm departure, and on Saturdays and Sundays with departures at 10:00 am, 10:15 am, and 1:00 pm on either Manhattan or Manhattan II.

$104/Adult when purchasing 2 or 3 tickets; $88/Adult when purchasing 4 or more tickets. Indoor climate-controlled assigned seating and outdoor seating available (Merv-rated Hepa filters installed for indoor air circulation). Hot beverages like homemade cocoa, tea, coffee, as well as fall-themed cocktails like the New York Apple with made-in-New York components of apple whiskey, apple cider, and sparkling wine are available, first-round complimentary.”

Yacht Manhattan
 

Classic Harbor Line’s Grand Palisades Fall Foliage 

Schooner Sails travel up the Hudson River on Saturday and Sunday only until November 8. This 3.5-hour excursion has departures at 11:00 am on schooner Adirondack, their 80-foot sailboat and at 11:15 am on schooner America 2.0, their 105-foot sailboat. $88 per adult, $64 per child (Please no children under 3). Complimentary beverages included; warm coats, winter accessories, and lap blankets encouraged.

 

Schooner Adirondack
For reservations for these fall excursions: https://classicharborline.com/nyc/ 
Categories
Dining Indulgence NYC

Crunching The Numbers: The World’s Favorite National Food Day Belongs To Coffee

Photo: Janko Ferlic

As the world sits at home wondering what to do with themselves, international gambling company Betway has gotten to work on some very serious business: calculating the Google Search Data and Instagram hashtags of an enormous range of International Food Days over the course of a sixteen-year search history (2004-2020). Data was collected from the United States and the United Kingdom.

As people become more connected and interested in cuisine around the globe, it is interesting to see how trends in the collective taste have evolved over time, and what piques people’s curiosity. Betway ranked the most popular searches to get right down to the nitty-gritty of culinary data research.

In the fruit category, watermelon was the clear winner, followed by Avocado Day and Strawberry Day. (If you’re starting a psychedelic band, you may find inspiration here!) In fast food, Pizza Day proved victorious, followed by Burger Day and Hot Dog Day. Chew on that.

Photo by Dzenina Lukac from Pexels

In the United States, the Top 10 most searched national days designated to foods were National Sandwich Day, National Ice Cream Day, and – surprisingly – National Onion Rings Day, which has seen an increase in interest from 2004 to now, coming in with 1,500%.

Some of the days in the Top 10 won’t come as a surprise – looking at you, doughnuts and grilled cheese sandwiches – but it might shock some to see Eat a Red Apple and Eat a Peach day scoring so highly. Does the increased interest show that the USA is moving towards more fruity fulfilling food goodness?

Over the course of the sixteen-year period, people must really have been jonesing for sandwiches and feeling a need to celebrate their deliciousness, because the search percentage rose a staggering 2700% since 2004. The real sleeper hit was National Rice Ball Day, which rose 1300%.

So which day is the top dish in each category? Slicing out a victory in the fast-food category is National Pizza Day with 304,084. When it comes to breakfast, waffles reign supreme with 41,934 of the vote, beating out reliable staples like cereal and oatmeal. Lobster claws its way to success in the seafood category with 19,120, prime rib takes a prime position for meats with 2312.

Over in the UK, there were substantially fewer searches, but the British public seemed most keen to learn about Pancake Tuesday, National Pizza Day and National Burger Day. The data shows that Britons love soup! Homemade soup to be precise, with +5,800% increase in the number of people searching for this national day. 

Yorkshire Pudding Day, a British classic, comes second with a 3,200% increase in interest. Of course, National Tea Day makes the Top 10, though some will be surprised at its low placement.

Taking a quick look around the globe, it turns out that Australia is crazy for chocolate, with Nutella Day taking the top spot with 1,300%. World Chocolate Day is also number one in India with +1,271%, whilst in New Zealand, International Falafel Day is number one with +1,700%.

Overall, Coffee Day seems to be the winner of the combined searches. National Coffee Day came in hot, scoring 611,414. This national day made a mug out of other foodie favorites such as pie and peanut butter to take our top spot. Fire up that percolator and pour yourself a cup of hot java.

Every day is International Coffee Day in our hearts. Mark your calendars!

 

SEE MORE:

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CM Chin Calls For Emergency Assistance To Frontline Senior Center Workers

Categories
Dining Featured Indulgence NYC Restaurants

A Southern Italian Eatery in Union Square Raises the Bar

A Southern Italian Eatery New York, Raises the Bar

As I write this article, my mouth is watering, and I find myself wishing that I was  sitting down for another meal at Pasta Eater, a new Southern Italian eatery in Union Square.

One of Downtown’s long-time editors Jackie Grupe, and I had the distinct pleasure of accepting an invitation for a tasting at this 6-month-old newcomer, Pasta Eater.

 

A Southern Italian Eatery New York, Raises the Bar
Pasta Eater New York, NY

 

We arrived around 7 PM to a lively, upbeat restaurant, with large windows looking onto the street, and warm, friendly staffers greeted us. That’s usually a clear indication that we are off to a good start. Once seated, we were introduced to Chef Luigi Cetrulo after our lovely chat, we decided to have Chef prepare his favorite dishes for us to sample.

Every dish outdid the one before, all the way to the very last bite.

A few of the dishes we enjoyed: Moscardini in Umido, Slowly cooked baby octopuses in San Marzano tomato sauce, Paccheri pasta with octopus ragù, crunchy black olives, and crumbled Amaretto biscotti, and for dessert, Cheesecake Con Nutella e Pistacchio.

 

A Southern Italian Eatery New York, Raises the Bar
Agnello Scottato Lamb chops marinated with lemon and thyme
A Southern Italian Eatery New York, Raises the Bar
Slowly cooked baby octopuses in San Marzano tomato sauce
A Southern Italian Eatery New York, Raises the Bar
Cheesecake Con Nutella e Pistacchio

For pasta experts, the pasta at Pasta Eater is freshly made in their kitchen. There is a detectable difference from dry to fresh pasta, no matter how much you pay for packaged pasta. Serve it fresh, that’s my motto!

 

A Southern Italian Eatery New York, Raises the Bar
Pasta Giusto

 

The item which impressed me the most were the lamb chops. I am usually not a fan of lamb, therefore I rarely order it for fear that I will be disappointed. Chef Luigi, you have made me a lamb chop lover.

DTM: Tell us about the chef  – where is he from and when did he know he wanted to be a chef?

A Southern Italian Eatery New York, Raises the Bar
Chef Luigi Cetrulo

PE: Luigi Cetrulo (33) was born in Foggia (Apulia) and was immersed in the pasta tradition from a very early age when on Sunday he would help his mother, Antonietta, cook the Sunday “sauce” that would accompany an all pasta lunch for the family. He soon worked as a chef for the best hotels and restaurants in Italy, Switzerland, and NYC where he moved in 2013. The Pasta Eater concept was born when he began working with Giusto Priola in 2017. 

DTM: Where else have they worked in NYC?

PE: The owner, Giusto Priola (from Misilmeri, a small village near Palermo in Sicily) moved to New York from Italy more than 20 years ago. He started his career as a restaurateur with the opening
 of the wildly successful “Cacio e Pepe” (2004), he was the first to bring the renowned Cacio e Pepe pasta to the NYC tables. He later opened a highly acclaimed restaurant “Cacio e Vino” (2006) which became the emblem of Sicilian Cuisine in NYC. Giusto boasts 20 years of experience in the food business, which has led him to stand out as an Italian culinary pioneer.

 

A Southern Italian Eatery New York, Raises the Bar
Owner Giusto Priola

DTM: Tell us about the front of the house and who runs it, where do they hail from?

PE: The most important aspect of “the front of the house” is the fact that we have a pasta machine which makes fresh pasta every day. For the types of pasta that cannot be made with the pasta machine (i.e.orecchiette) people will notice that a pasta maker will be continuously making pasta by hand in front of the restaurant’s guests and in the restaurant’s window.

“The place was buzzing without being loud. There was very much a neighborhood feel. The food was simply prepared, highlighting the main ingredient as the star of the show—grilled octopus, tuna carpaccio, lamb chops. All delicious!” Jackie Grupe

DTM: How did they come together to create this amazing Southern Italian restaurant, and why did they choose this location?

PE: Luigi and Giusto met serendipitously in 2017 and immediately began wondering where their shared passion for food would have taken them …

DTM: Everyone seated around us appears to be regulars, and some even come in twice a week. They had nothing but remarkable things to say about the food, service, and the restaurant. Why do you think Pasta Eater has taken off? In just 3 months, it is standing room only!

PE: We believe that if the quality of the food we serve is high, like something we would serve to, say our family, our guests will leave satisfied and they will come back. We would never sacrifice the quality of our ingredients to save a few cents. We only serve the best and we do it with love. As if our dishes were made for a family member and that’s why our guests come back. This concept is also reflected in the way our staff behaves. We want all the people who visit our restaurant to feel at home – 360 degrees. They have to taste it in the food and feel it in the way they are treated. This is the secret to our “success”.

 

DTM: We’ve heard that other businesses before Pasta Eater never made it in that location, does this concern you?

A Southern Italian Eatery New York, Raises the Bar
Pasta Giusto

PE: Not at all. We are on a very busy street in the heart of Union Square’s district. There is no reason to be concerned.

We believe in what we do and we hope people who don’t know us will find us randomly or come to us through word of mouth. The important part is that they come back once they have tried us.

 

DTM: How did you come up with the unusual name, Pasta Eater? 

 

A Southern Italian Eatery New York, Raises the Bar
Pasta Giusto
Pacchero Al Ragú Di Polpo

 

PE: The name “Pasta Eater” was invented by Giusto Priola, who’s extremely grateful to America for what it did for him. “Pasta” is an Italian word everyone in the world knows. “Eater” is an English word, easy to remember. The name is understandable by everyone: PASTA EATER. Apart from being easy to remember it puts the person eating in the spotlight and not the restaurant itself, which is very different from all other restaurants’ names.

 

A Southern Italian Eatery New York, Raises the Bar
Fresh Pasta – Pasta Eater

 

Andiamo a Pasta Eater, remember this name, you too will find yourself craving a meal at this superb Southern Italian eatery. Pasta Eater is here to stay, run don’t walk to book reservations, and tell them Downtown Magazine sent you! (Pasta Eater, 9 East 17th Street, 212.627.5910)

 

Categories
Dining Featured Indulgence

Holiday Cupcake Craze in Downtown NYC

Here in Manhattan, every holiday season is a grand miracle for everyone. Some of those miracles are made via dessert, especially cupcakes, since cupcakes are known as muffins that believed in miracles. Many ask where they can find a solid cupcake in the Big Apple throughout the holiday season. Fear no more, because Downtown Magazine has rounded up five bakeries that offer mouthwatering cupcakes.

Funny Face Bakery by Cupcake Market:

Although Cupcake Market changed its name to Funny Face Bakery due to the popularity of spot-on celebrity Funny Faces and realistic Custom Face Cookies, cupcakes are still sold and are one of a kind as they are literally dense and moist. These guys will provide you with that ideal bite of a cupcake and finger-licking good frosting that will make you smile from ear to ear. Not to mention that the frosting is so light that you won’t feel overwhelmed with the sweetness! The banana cupcake with strawberry icing topped with freshly diced strawberries is quite a favorite and is one to have you purchasing seconds!

Holiday Cupcake Craze in Downtown NYC
Funny Face Bakery

74 East 7th Street
New York, NY

Sprinkles New York- Brookfield Place

Yes, Sprinkles is a major franchise. The location in Brookfield Place, however, is like no other. This Sprinkles location is rather small and is conveniently nestled across the street from the iconic World Trade Center and connected to the Oculus and Westfield Mall. The walk-up counter is splendid for those who go through the city’s hustle and bustle due to the fact that they can get their sugar fix in a heartbeat before heading to their destination. These cupcakes are baked fresh in miniature batches throughout the day and are made from top-notch ingredients. What’s even better is that pickup and delivery services are offered at this location!

Holiday Cupcake Craze in Downtown NYC
Sprinkles Cupcakes- Brookfield Place

225 Liberty St. Suite 241
New York, NY

Little Cupcake Bakeshop

Little Cupcake Bakeshop’s story began in Brooklyn back in 2005. Nowadays, there is a location in the heart of Soho which is such a delight. This bakery doesn’t only concentrate on baking cupcakes, but all of the classic American desserts you can think of. All baked goods are baked by utilizing fresh and sustainable ingredients, which are locally sourced from farms in the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Vermont, and New Jersey. Baking is also done in small batches right at the bakery every single day. Of course, Little Cupcake Bakeshop paid homage to Downtown’s Old Little Italy by creating the “Mott Street” cupcake, which is their take on tiramisu. This cupcake consists of a vanilla bean cake soaked in Illy espresso and topped with homemade mascarpone frosting.

Holiday Cupcake Craze in Downtown NYC
Photo courtesy of Izumi Kira

30 Prince Street
New York, NY

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC

If you are trying to stay away from dairy, gluten, eggs, and all of that jazz…then Erin McKenna’s Bakery in the Lower East Side is the place for you to grab your cupcakes. Ingredients for cupcakes and other treats are selected in a responsible manner. Not to mention that natural sweeteners are used moderately. This bakery’s main objective is to
make vegan and gluten-free eating fun and tasty. One of the flavors that folks rage about is the Thin Mint Cupcake which literally tastes like a Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie!

Holiday Cupcake Craze in Downtown NYC
Erin McKenna’s Bakery

248 Broome Street
New York, NY

Magnolia Bakery- West Village

You can’t go wrong with grabbing a couple of cupcakes from this New York City Classic. Especially from the West Village location. There is a variety of cupcake flavors and each one is charming in its own way as they have different stories to tell. Of course, the Classic Red Velvet or the Vanilla cupcake with Pink Buttercream that Carrie Bradshaw ordered in Sex in The City is a must!

Holiday Cupcake Craze in Downtown NYC
Magnolia Bakery

West 11th Street, 401 Bleeker
New York, NY

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Categories
Dining Featured Indulgence

Downtown’s Guide to Summer Sweets

With the heat of the sun beating down on Lower Manhattan, I find myself looking for somewhere to cool off and indulge myself. Over the last two weeks, the Downtown team has had an amazing opportunity to visit shops all over Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs. Here’s a look at each of our favorite desserts from some of the best spots that we visited; we’ve got something for everyone to enjoy!

“Ed’s Ice Cream Sandwich” at Ed’s Lobster Bar

Hear me out when I say that ice cream is extraordinarily tastier on a warm, buttery bun. This sandwich is like no other; it consists of cold vanilla ice cream that is served on what is typically one of Ed’s signature lobster buns (just without the lobster). The dessert is then covered in little bits of shredded chocolate and chocolate sauce and is sure to help you beat the heat. Ed’s has been serving this signature dish since the shop opened, so they definitely have it perfected.

Ed’s Lobster Bar is located at 222 Lafayette St. Be sure to check them out for a unique treat you won’t soon forget!

Egg Shop‘s “Brunchkins”

These fresh little donut balls are the perfect dessert after grabbing brunch at Egg Shop. These warm, delectable pieces of dough are filled with confetti cake and taste unbelievably good. Each individual Brunchkin tastes like a carnival in your mouth! Not to mention they’ll make your wallet feel good since they’re only $6!

Egg Shop is in Chinatown at 151 Elizabeth St. You won’t regret checking out these bite-sized miracles!

Clinton Hall‘s “What the Cruff Waffle”

Photo provided by Clinton Hall

The mastermind behind this beautiful dessert is Darryl Harmon. Harmon is an award-winning celebrity chef and is the executive chef for The Lure Group, which includes NYC’s Clinton Hall, Slate, West End Hall, and RFTP.

Clinton Hall was already known for their WTF Waffles, but this collaboration with Stuffed Ice Cream is surely the most beautiful and Instagrammable dessert-creation of all time. Stacked high with two waffles, four flavors of ice cream and a donut ice cream sandwich, this dessert is a miraculous work of genius. The ice cream flavors include Stuffed Snickerdoodle, Cookie Monster, Red Velvet Cookie Dough, and Ferrero Rocher and are topped with an ice cream cone on top to complete the aesthetic.

Clinton Hall has locations all over NYC. Find out which is closest to you!

“Flex Donuts” at Flex Mussels

Flex Mussels specializes in a variety of amazing seafood entrees and appetizers. What many people don’t know is that they also offer some of New York City’s greatest donuts. Offering a variety of flavors from Smores to Fluffernutter (a combination of marshmallow and peanut butter), Flex Mussels only charges $10 to add four of these gooey, sugary delights to your dinner.

You can find Flex Mussels located at their Downtown or Upper-Eastside location!

Julian’s Sundae at Aunt Jake’s

Covered in everything from fruity pebbles to Oreo crumbles, “Julian’s Sundae,” which was designed by Jake’s 9-year-old nephew, is stand-out dessert on the menu of this amazing Italian restaurant. The waffle is easily pulled-apart and makes for the perfect spoon for scooping the mountain of whipped cream and chocolate ice cream.

Aunt Jake’s has two locations. One on Mulberry Street and one on 8th Street. To make a reservation, be sure to check out their website!