Just Sweet's not so sweet opening

BY STEPHANIE AMY COLLAZO

Review of Just Sweet Dessert House
83 Third Avenue, (Corner of 3rd Ave and 12th Street)
East Village – NYC
212-388-1380 http://justsweetnyc.com

Just Sweet had its grand opening July 16th, and as one of the 50+ dining options on Third Avenue it is sticking out for all the wrong reasons.

A few weeks prior to the grand opening of Just Sweet I passed by the store and quickly wrote down the name and location, positive that only something good can come of a place with such a name.  After a friend notified me of his visit to the dessert only restaurant I quickly made plans to go there a week after the opening.

Bubble Tea at Just Sweet

Bubble Tea at Just Sweet

When you arrive to the restaurant you can’t help but become excited by the bright colors and promising menu rife with numerous Asian-inspired desserts.

There are crepes with green tea ice cream, shaved ice topped with fruit, ice cream sundaes, tong shui (a sweet soup), bubble tea, sweet sticky rice and an array of special dessert drinks.

Mango Sticky Rice

Mango Sticky Rice

On my visit I ordered the mango sticky rice ($5), toast with condensed milk ($3) and taro milk tea with lychee jelly ($4).  While my companions ordered the chocolate castle sundae ($7) and strawberry delight shaved ice ($5.50).

Strawberry Delight Shaved Ice

Strawberry Delight Shaved Ice

Chocolate Castle Sundae

Chocolate Castle Sundae

The waitress was quick to take our order but the kitchen was slow to deliver.  It took over 10 minutes for the kitchen to produce my taro milk tea, it was delicious nonetheless, but a beverage shouldn’t take as long as the meal to be delivered.

Along side my long awaited bubble tea was the mango sticky rice.  Mango slices and a white sauce, which I’m unfamiliar with, topped the sticky rice.   The dish was beautifully presented in a clear square bowl.  As soon as I took my first bite my expectations plummeted, though it looked beautiful it was terribly bland, the only thing sweet about it was the slightly mushy mango.

Next was the toast with condensed milk, which I waited over twenty minutes for only to be notified that they were out of bread.

After being terribly disappointed with my own order I went ahead and tried my friend’s desserts.  The Strawberry delight, which was shaved iced, topped with strawberry syrup, strawberry slices, mixed jelly and a scoop of ice cream that cost a dollar extra, was actually really good.  The flavors and textures mixed really well making their shaved ice the perfect summer treat.

The chocolate sundae was nothing special, chocolate ice cream with chocolate syrup, crushed oreos, cornflakes, and banana.  It was good and the cornflakes added a nice crunch but for at $7 I’d say go to the super market buy all of the ingredients and make these at home.

Although the service was terrible I will probably return to Just Sweet for the shaved ice, in hopes of an improvement in service.

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Just Sweet’s not so sweet opening

BY STEPHANIE AMY COLLAZO

Review of Just Sweet Dessert House
83 Third Avenue, (Corner of 3rd Ave and 12th Street)
East Village – NYC
212-388-1380 http://justsweetnyc.com

Just Sweet had its grand opening July 16th, and as one of the 50+ dining options on Third Avenue it is sticking out for all the wrong reasons.

A few weeks prior to the grand opening of Just Sweet I passed by the store and quickly wrote down the name and location, positive that only something good can come of a place with such a name.  After a friend notified me of his visit to the dessert only restaurant I quickly made plans to go there a week after the opening.

Bubble Tea at Just Sweet

Bubble Tea at Just Sweet

When you arrive to the restaurant you can’t help but become excited by the bright colors and promising menu rife with numerous Asian-inspired desserts.

There are crepes with green tea ice cream, shaved ice topped with fruit, ice cream sundaes, tong shui (a sweet soup), bubble tea, sweet sticky rice and an array of special dessert drinks.

Mango Sticky Rice

Mango Sticky Rice

On my visit I ordered the mango sticky rice ($5), toast with condensed milk ($3) and taro milk tea with lychee jelly ($4).  While my companions ordered the chocolate castle sundae ($7) and strawberry delight shaved ice ($5.50).

Strawberry Delight Shaved Ice

Strawberry Delight Shaved Ice

Chocolate Castle Sundae

Chocolate Castle Sundae

The waitress was quick to take our order but the kitchen was slow to deliver.  It took over 10 minutes for the kitchen to produce my taro milk tea, it was delicious nonetheless, but a beverage shouldn’t take as long as the meal to be delivered.

Along side my long awaited bubble tea was the mango sticky rice.  Mango slices and a white sauce, which I’m unfamiliar with, topped the sticky rice.   The dish was beautifully presented in a clear square bowl.  As soon as I took my first bite my expectations plummeted, though it looked beautiful it was terribly bland, the only thing sweet about it was the slightly mushy mango.

Next was the toast with condensed milk, which I waited over twenty minutes for only to be notified that they were out of bread.

After being terribly disappointed with my own order I went ahead and tried my friend’s desserts.  The Strawberry delight, which was shaved iced, topped with strawberry syrup, strawberry slices, mixed jelly and a scoop of ice cream that cost a dollar extra, was actually really good.  The flavors and textures mixed really well making their shaved ice the perfect summer treat.

The chocolate sundae was nothing special, chocolate ice cream with chocolate syrup, crushed oreos, cornflakes, and banana.  It was good and the cornflakes added a nice crunch but for at $7 I’d say go to the super market buy all of the ingredients and make these at home.

Although the service was terrible I will probably return to Just Sweet for the shaved ice, in hopes of an improvement in service.

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A guide to the best of Arthur Avenue, New York City’s REAL Little Italy

BY NICOLE MANCINI

In the heart of the Bronx lies a tiny Italian community, better known as Arthur Avenue. Mere blocks away from the hustle and bustle of Fordham Road, mom and pop shops welcome you with fresh mozzarella, espresso, and homemade pasta. I live and work near this area; something that I experience as both a blessing (fresh amazing food at my fingertips) and a burden (a diet that will never happen). I like to think of Arthur Avenue as one of New York City’s best-kept secrets, and  these are my go-to places for visiting this gem of a neighborhood:

Casa Della Mozzarella, 604 East 187th Street

Joe’s Deli, 685 East 187th Street, Joe’s Deli

For mozzarella and bocconcini my family is a house divided. My parents and aunts like Joe’s Deli, while my cousins and I love Casa Della Mozzarella. They are both very good. I would get the bocconcini from Casa (either salted or not, they ask you what you want, I usually get the salted), and a regular whole mozzarella from Joe’s. Both delis have Italian goods as well (pasta, oils, cookies) but the mozzarella is the main attraction.

Addeo Gennaro and Sons, 2372 Hughes Avenue. There is another location on Arthur, just go to the one on Hughes.

Madonia Brothers Bakery, 2348 Arthur Avenue.

DeLillo’s Pastry Shop, 606 East 187th Street

Bread-wise there are two awesome places- Addeo’s and Madonia. Addeo’s sells an excellent round loaf. I sometimes have a meal of their bread with extra virgin olive oil, it’s that good. They also sell chocolate bread, but only on Saturday mornings, which if you’re lucky enough to get right out of the oven goes perfect with a cappuccino from DeLillo’s (best pastry shop in the area, next door to Casa Della Mozzarella).

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Abelson Photography via Flickr

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Abelson Photography via Flickr

Madonia’s is better known for their specialty breads, biscottis, and cannolis. They have a cranberry walnut loaf, a jalapeno cheddar loaf, and one with fennel- all delicious. They have a huge selection of biscotti, with about 12 different flavors. My favorite is the double chocolate-trust me, indulge.

Borgatti’s Ravioli and Egg Noodles, 632 East 187th Street, Borgatti’s

Borgatti’s is the go to place for everything pasta. They make homemade noodles– the fettucini are my favorite. They are also famous for their ravioli, which they have two kinds of — cheese or meat & spinach. I like the cheese best. Mario Borgatti, whose parents opened the shop 70 years ago, is usually there running the place with his son.

Biancardi’s, 2350 Arthur Avenue

Peter’s Meat Market, 2344 Arthur Avenue, located inside the retail market

For meat, head to Biancardi’s which is one door down from Madonia’s; or Peter’s Meat Market, which is inside the Arthur Avenue Retail Market. Both are top quality and have been around for generations. Biancardi’s has carcasses hanging around and offers a whole slab of prosciutto for you to buy. Peter’s carries calf brains, tongue, and all the stuff that could be featured on an episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.

Cosenza’s, 2354 Arthur Avenue
Randazzo’s, 2327 Arthur Avenue,
Randazzo

Cosenza’s and Randazzo’s are the two main fish stores. They both have raw bars out front, Cosenza’s has a bigger selection of oysters, but Randazzo has a bigger selection of seafood.

Having fun with our favorite oyster shuckers at Randazzo’s

Having fun with our favorite oyster shuckers at Randazzo’s

Tino’s Delicatessen, 2410 Arthur Avenue, Tino’s

For a quick bite to eat without sitting down in a formal restaurant, Tino’s Delicatessen does the trick. They have eggplant parmigiana, paninis, and pasta- made just like an Italian grandmother would. They also sell imported goods from Italy- this place is one stop shopping.

Arthur Avenue Retail Market, 2344 Arthur Avenue

Cerini Coffee and Gifts, 2334 Arthur Avenue, Cerini
Teitel Brothers, 2372 Arthur Avenue,
Teitel Bros.

Lastly Boiano sells fresh produce in the Arthur Avenue retail market, Cerini sells the best espresso machines, and Teitel Brothers has every Italian imported specialty you can imagine. They even sell you the whole parmigiano reggiano wheel!

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Restaurant week at David Burke Townhouse – Review of David Burke Townhouse

BY CAROLYN ONOFREY

David Burke Townhouse
133 East 61st Street
Upper East Side

212-831-2121/davidburketownhouse.com

Mustard Crusted Tuna at David Burke Townhouse

Mustard Crusted Tuna at David Burke Townhouse

I had the pleasure of dining at David Burke Townhouse for restaurant week this summer.  Located in a charming townhouse on East 61st Street, a white façade and large windows welcomed passersby with a glow reminiscent of candlelight. The quirky stuffed dog on a leash just outside the doorway hinted at the quirky nature of the food and atmosphere that was just on the other side of the door.

David Burke Townhouse reminds me of a cross between a doll house and a Lewis Carroll novel.  Pinks, reds, and whites surrounds you with playful elements like blown glass balloons dotting the ceiling and a collection of jaunty drawings by Tony Meeuwissen. [Read more...]

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