Bee's Doesn't Have Much to Buzz About

In my attempt to cross a few more places off of my chocolate and burger list before the end of the year, we tag teamed Bee's Desserts en route to Bill's Burger last week.  The burger was amazing, but of course I was most looking forward to dessert at the end.

Bee's had been written up for having an amazing honey cake.  I don't know what a honey cake is, but it was covered in chocolate, and I saw the place in the Serious Eats blog (http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2010/03/lunch-for-one-bee-desserts-west-village-opening.html).  So we figured it must be good.

When we passed by, there was a sign on the door that they were closed for the day because they were filming something inside.  There's a garden in back, so I think it was being used for some movie, most likely with Sarah Jessica Parker because she seems to be in every movie filmed in the West Village.  We politely asked if we could still buy the honey cakes.  I could go back any time, but we had visitors from California that wouldn't have a chance to come back another day.  The people at Bee's were very nice about it, and they did let us buy two honey cakes to go.  We picked the original and marshmallow varieties (there are 4 altogether to choose from, the other two are almond and liqeur).

The honey cakes are made with honey instead of refined sugar, which is supposed to make them more moist. They were moist, but I wouldn't exactly say they were good.  They're covered in a layer of dark chocolate, but it's not very thick.  For $5, I would have much rather had 2 cookies from Paradis, a make your own froyo from 16 Handles, or a brownie from Vegan Divas.  They are supposed to be eaten cold, but we tried to thaw them out a little because they were given to us frozen!  I think they'd been in the refrigerator back at Bee's.  We tried a little of each one, and the communal decision was that it was just okay.  I liked the marshmallow one a little bit more than the original, but overall it reminded me of a mallomar.  Which I actually enjoy more than these.  And I can get an entire box for less than $5 (maybe not in Manhattan, but definitely in Brooklyn.  But not in the summer because apparently they aren't sold in hot months).

Bee's has a cafe too, and the menu looks pretty decent - I would potentially go back there for brunch, but I won't be getting another honey cake anytime soon.  We didn't even finish these - I think I was disappointed

Bee Desserts and Cafe
www.beedesserts.com
94 Greenwich Ave, near 7th Ave S and between W12th and W13th streets

212-366-6110

Paradis Lost

My company's office moved down to the Union Square area back in October. While Union Square is great for commuting purposes, in terms of snacks, there's really not much in the immediate area.  There's things way in the west village, and way in the east village, and in Chelsea, but really not much aside from Max Brenner (not a favorite of mine).

When the office was in the process of getting set up, Justin came all the way from California to both get the place up and running, as well as cross some cookie spots off his must-try list.  Justin stumbled upon Paradis, 2 blocks from the office, which had a sign on the door that said NYC's best cookie.  He picked it up and said it was pretty good, and worth checking out.  So of course, a good 6 weeks later, I finally made it down there!

I tried the brownie the first time. At first bite, it tasted a little bit like Jell-O pudding.  I didn't think I was going to like it, and was kind of disappointed.  But then I tried it again a few hours later, and it tasted much better.  It was light and chewy, and had a layer of powdered sugar on top.  I don't think I would get it again, but it was okay for the moment.  The food there was actually REALLY good.  I had a quinoa salad with kale, fennel and butternut squash. Every time I've gone there I've had great lunches, so I'm definitely a fan of the food.
The story of Paradis is super cute too.  This American girl named Kim was studying French cooking in Paris, and met this French butcher, Mickael Paradis.  They fell in love, got married and opened up Paradis-To-Go.  Now they operate the cafe, serving French/American food with a rotating daily menu and delicious baked goods.

I had to go back to try the cookie, and luckily the next time I went they were giving out samples!  The cookie was amazing - super doughy and chocolatey, and crumbled in my hands.  I went back with Danielle a few days later to split one, and we absolutely loved it.  Luckily, since Paradis is right near the office and within eyesight of our gym, we can pop in there every day to be healthy and get a salad, or be unhealthy and split one of their amazing cookies.  Definitely add this place to your must try cookie list!


Paradis (http://paradistogo.com/about.html)
114 Fourth Avenue (off E 12th Street, diagonal from Crunch gym)
Open Monday-Friday, 7-7; Saturday 9-6