Welcome to Downtown Highlights, the series in which we take the opportunity to “highlight” businesses in NYC, like delicious chocolate and or gelato from Venchi. After the tumultuous and crazy year we’ve had, brick and mortar locations have taken a hit, and so it is important for us at Downtown to make sure that we’re serving the places that are serving us.
Venchi
This week, we have been transported to Italy via our New York, Venchi, an Italian gourmet chocolate shop. This place evokes a sensory experience, from homemade chocolate to refreshing authentic gelato. The sights, smells, tastes, sounds, and feel of their shop are unlike any other. The best part? You don’t need a passport to enter this little slice of Italy.
We sat down with store manager Michele Sbarigia to get the scoop on Venchi’s story.
Venchi started in 1878 in Torrine, Italy. Their claim to fame is their nougatine, a decadent treat of caramelized hazelnut coated in 56% dark chocolate. Twenty years ago, Venchi incorporated gelato into their decadent repertoire.
One of the most stunning features at Venchi is that its ingredients are as authentic as it gets. They use all-natural ingredients, importing their specialized ingredients directly and exclusively from Italy. Hazelnuts come from Piedmont Italy. Pistachios come from Bronte, a small village in Sicily. Lemons come from Sorrento, a small village under Naples, and so on.
By staying true to the pillars of rich tradition and quality ingredients, Venchi remains as authentic as it gets in NYC.
We are excited to announce that we are bringing back Downtown Highlights this summer! Our Lifestyle Editor, Marley, and I believe that Downtown Highlights is the perfect way to highlight our favorite businesses, restaurants, and events after the coronavirus pandemic! Watch Downtown Highlights this summer to stay up to date with what’s trending in New York City.
Ladurée – A Taste of Paris in New York City
Our first stop this summer was Ladurée. Ladurée is a French patisserie located at 396 W Broadway in New York City. Inspired by Parisian tea rooms, it has a refined atmosphere. There is a variety of stunning seating areas to pick from. We chose to sit in the garden area.
During our visit, we had the pleasure to interview the heir and president of Ladurée, Elisabeth Holder. After our interview with Elisabeth, we tried delicious treats including macarons, a macaron glacée, and a matcha latte. If you aren’t in the mood for sweets, Ladurée has many options of main courses on their menu that you can order for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For those looking to take a trip to Paris without leaving New York, Ladurée is the place to visit!
Typically, we hear I already have all that I need, which can make those incredibly difficult to shop for! Luckily, our editors at Downtown have done their research on the best gifts “for the Active, Gear, and Kitchen lovers, and we did not forget those gifts that give back” this holiday season!
Oculus Quest 2
For tech-savvy men, look no further than the esteemed virtual-reality headset known as the Oculus Quest 2! This high-tech equipment will allow him to explore other worlds and adventures from the comfort of home.
Lifepro 4-Speed Vibrating Foam Roller
Lifepro 4-Speed Vibrating Foam Roller – High-Intensity Vibrating Roller for Muscle Recovery, Mobility & Pliability Training – Deep Tissue Vibrant Massage for Awesome Trigger Point Sports Therapy
Fusion FX Heated Percussion Massage Gun
Fusion FX Heated Percussion Massage Gun – Deep Tissue Massager for Muscle Pain Relief, Enhanced Recovery for Athletes & Percussive Therapy – 3 Auto Modes, 5 Powerful Speeds, Handheld Electric Device.
Master & Dynamic
True Wireless Earphones. Master & Dynamic headphones, earphones, and speakers make the perfect gift!
Italian cashmere beanie by Carolyn Rowan Accessories”
New York 100 % Italian cashmere beanie by Carolyn Rowan Accessories in black & ivory. Their best selling city hat is back! What better way to give back to NYC while repping NYC than 25% of proceeds on sales of this gorgeous, 100% Italian cashmere beanie will help support City Harvest and help feed our city. Fabric Content: 100% Cashmere
Thermomix
The Thermomix® TM6™ can perform up to 24 different functions and techniques in one digitally powered countertop appliance. Quality designed, with one stainless-steel bowl, state-of-the-art mixing knife, precision heating element, and an integrated scale the TM6™ does it all! From meal prep to clean up, the TM6™ makes homemade cooking effortless.
Mophie Universal Wireless Multi Coil Charge Stand
Mophie Universal Wireless Multi Coil Charge Stand for Apple iPhone Xs Max, iPhone Xs, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, Qi-Enabled Devices
Bonsai Bluetooth Speaker Lamp
Bonsai Bluetooth Speaker Lamp with Wireless Charging Pad. The Bonsai Bluetooth Speaker Lamp with Wireless Charging Pad has an attractive, modern design inspired by the iconic bonsai tree. Use it on a desk or nightstand for reading, music, and charging your Qi-enabled smartphone. Features adjustable brightness, Bluetooth speaker, and touch-sensitive controls
Portable Smartphone Photo Vault
The Portable Smartphone Photo Vault saves room on your device while protecting your photo memories. This handy device plugs into your smartphone or tablet to copy and back up your photos, videos, and contacts. Simply download the free app and touch “Start Backup.” Your data is backed up automatically, giving you peace of mind and freeing up valuable space on your device.
Women’s Wool Dasher Mizzles
Allbirds For the active! Take stormy weather in stride with the running shoe that uses natural materials to give you extra grip and keep your feet dry. Renewable Materials, Machine Washable, Minimizes Odor, Flexibly Conforms to your movements.
Sugar Hill Creamery
Sugar Hill Creamery, now this is the gift of all gifts! Weekly Ice Cream Subscription – 3 Pints/Weekly from $33.00 Receive three (3) pints of ice cream each week. Each delivery you’ll receive a collection of our most popular flavors, but each week will be a surprise. We will leave pints of ice cream at your door just like the milkman used to leave milk at doorsteps. Learn more here.
They say pumpkin spice has gone too far. They say it’s overkill. It’s been abused to excess as a predictable orange fad. Hell, I’ve said it too.
Well, forget about them. Forget about past me as well. Clinton Hall’s new Pumpkin Spice WTF Waffle is the pumpkin spice offering we deserve this season.
The Pumpkin Spice WTF Waffle is part of a three-part series of deserts from The Lure Group, Clinton Hall’s parent company. The series celebrates and promotes three different Broadway shows: The Waitress, Chicago, and Oklahoma!. The Waitress, the first of the series, is the story of a small-town pie-maker dreaming of a life outside of her small marriage in a small town. She copes by making pies themed around her life, like The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie.
I was skeptical when I showed up. I don’t need to repeat my expectations. I’m not sure what I expected it to actually LOOK like, but when I arrived at Clinton Hall I was greeted by a tower of dessert more than a foot and a half tall. It was the kind of pretty that made you feel bad for trying to eat it. A half dozen other reviewers had arrived, but they hadn’t gotten past the “pictures” phase of the meal. I don’t blame them.
I did my due photographic diligence, but the pumpkin pie was calling to me. With the delicacy of an art restoration specialist, I worked the pie off of the top of the tower. It was exactly what I hoped it would be: a gimmick-free slice of pie supported by graham crackers and marshmallows. Off to a good start.
Once I’d broken the spell, my table-mates were quick to dig in, bisecting the tower. In the picture, you can see the stacks of cinnamon-flavored waffle and vanilla bean ice cream. None of it was clown-car orange. The waffles worked well with the ice cream and the whole thing was gone in two minutes. It makes you appreciate the inventor of the waffle cone.
Check out all of the layers.
If you want to enjoy a little pumpkin spice guilt-free, Clinton Hall’s delicious tower of dessert is the way to go. At $25 it is an expensive dessert for one (though I wouldn’t blame you), but it can easily serve four or more people. The offer only lasts through Tuesday, October 1st, so get it before it melts away.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
July 2019 marked the first arrests of ice cream lickers across the US. Charges can result in fines or even jail time. But this isn’t part of some anti-dairy government conspiracy. It’s a response to the #icecreamchallenge, where dozens of people have filmed themselves opening a carton of ice cream in a store, licking the ice cream, and then replacing it in the freezer. Consequences for lickers are severe, though younger perpetrators aren’t likely to remember why. Stores are searching for solutions. Reis and Irvy’s, a subsidiary of Generation NEXT Franchise Brands, thinks it has a solution.
R&I sells the world’s first fully-automatic robotic frozen dessert vending kiosk. Or, as they like to call it, a “Froyo Robot.” In addition to frozen yogurt, the robots serve ice cream, gelato, and sorbet, with a selection of six different toppings. “Our unattended robots eliminate the need for costly rent and labor, significantly reduce food safety concerns, and are capable of operating 24-hours a day,” says Reis & Irvy’s Spokesperson Corinne Costello.
The reason the #icecreamchallenge went on for as long as it did, says Costello, was a lack of supervision and easy access to the product. “The ice cream is generally at the back of the store,” she says, “and there are often not that many employees stationed there… Additionally, not all brands have plastic coverings or seals, making it easy for anyone who wants to quickly lick a pint and put it back.”
Reis and Irvy’s claims that their Froyo Robot is the world’s first fully-automated robotic frozen dessert vending kiosk. Photo courtesy of Reis and Irvy’s.
The froyo robot, she says, removes those risks. It operates 24 hours a day, and customers never have access to serving mechanisms. Further, franchise owners undergo a two-day training period, learning to properly disassemble and clean the robot. This maintenance process must be performed at least once a week. If it is not cleaned, it will shut down and send alerts to the company and franchisee. Franchisees must also obtain a Food Handler’s Permit.
Do we need to remove humans from the future of ice cream? Not likely, though some consumer warning labels fail to inspire confidence. Will a froyo robot help me feel more confident that nobody has licked my ice cream before I do? Or that the person scooping my ice cream washed their hands? Yes, it will. Unfortunately, as of right now, one would have to travel to Queens College to experience that peace of mind. A representative for Reis and Irvy’s has assured me that the franchise is always expanding.
