Sake braised pork belly

Kyotofu has always been a DessertBuzz favorite. They are one of the original dessert-only destinations in NYC–blazing the trail for this category.  Shortly after opening in 2006 they received a major publicity boost from New York Magazine who named their chocolate souffle cupcake the best in New York.  Despite this notoriety, they didn’t rest on their laurels or turn into a one-trick pony cupcake shop.  Instead, they constantly retooled their menu and added new bakery items and desserts year in and year out.

Chocolate miso "choko" brownie

Kyotofu has offered small plates and “real” food for many years now.  However, I recently had an opportunity to try one of their “Comfort mains”  specifically, their sake braised Berkshire pork belly.  Though I’m definitely no expert on pork belly, I found this dish immensely satisfying.  It was very tender and flavorful without being too salty  and it’s served with delicious house-made pickles and shiso onigiri.  This dish is the perfect intermezzo for any dessert tasting.  (Other comfort mains include mac and cheese and chicken and tofu burger).

Matcha green tea financier

I also tried Kyotofu’s miso “choko” brownie for the first time.  It definitely reminded me–in a good way–of their chocolate souffle cupcake–though with a bit less dark chocolate flavor.  The bottom of the brownie has a  nice crust of sesame seeds that have been toasted from the being at the bottom of the pan.

The Kyotofu chocolate "souffle" cupcake

In the coming weeks I plan to check in with coverage of Kyotofu’s main dessert menu.  More coverage of Kyotofu on DessertBuzz. Follow DessertBuzz on Twitter.

Kyotofu is located at 705 9th Ave (48 and 49th St).  Their website is here.

Spot Dessert Bar's heart shaped macrons

Valentine’s day is around the corner so if you’re feeling the crush of billions of marketing dollars telling you that you must get something red or heart-related for your partner–here are some suggestions.

**Updated February 8**

Scharffen Berger: One of my favorite 70% bars

Scharffen Berger Chocolate is hosting a “Chocolate Bar” this Valentine’s Day (Tues., Feb. 14) from 8am-3pm at Chelsea Triangle (W 14th St & 9th Ave & Hudson St,) in the Meatpacking District.  Activities/offers include: sampling flights of chocolate tasting squares, free hot chocolate, you can personalize “chocolate grams”  (with a tasting square included!) to mail to friends across the country and purchase a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for the chocolate lover in your life.

Sweets you can order or pick up:

Chocolat Michel Cluizel is offering a heart-shaped dark chocolate box in two sizes ($16 & $22), filled with chocolate truffles wrapped in shiny pink and red foil. As a special add-on, on Valentine’s Day, the Michel Cluizel USA chef will be at the 5th Avenue boutique to customize these chocolate hearts in white chocolate with the message of your choice.  They are also offering a beautiful Valentine’s Day raspberry tart for only $6!  Two great deals from this 5th Ave boutique.

Heart shaped chocolate box with free custom lettering!

Spot Dessert Bar is featuring chocolate covered cake lollipops ($2.50), red velvet cupcakes ($2.75) and heart-shaped macarons in red velvet and raspberry rose ($2.25).

Junior's heart shaped cheesecake

Junior’s is offering (what else?) a heart shaped cheesecake that’s covered with chocolate ganache and decorated with red pinstripes.  $34.95 if you order online.

Vegan Divas heart shaped tin of chocolate chip cookies

Vegan Divas vegan bakery is offering a heart-shaped red tin of vegan chocolate chip cookies ($35 on Opensky)  endorsed by Alicia Silverstone.  She says: “This makes a pretty groovy gift for your favorite animal-lover. After all, Valentine’s Day is all about Love”

"spankers" chocolate lollipops from Jacques Torres

Jacques Torres is selling chocolate heart-shaped lollipps called “Spankers” ($14) that say “Love” on one side and “Spank me” on the other.  They are also selling cool red (think Rolling Stones) chocolate lips ($15).  Where would Mr. Chocolate get the idea for such a lollipop? Check out this interview to find out.

Payard's heart-shaped box of macarons

Payard is selling a beautiful heart shaped box of macarons ($48) and champagne Pop Rock” truffles ($55).  Schmancy!  Take that Laduree!

For a sit down meal:

Kyotofu is offering a three-course dessert prix fixe  ($30) that includes pink sparkling sake gelee, sweetheart red velvet cake, Valrhona dark chocolate mousse and also includes sake and champagne pairings!

The Kyotofu chocolate cupcake

Chocolat Michel Cluizel’s website is here.  They are located at 584 Fifth Avenue (

Spot Dessert Bar’s website has their full menu.  Spot is located at 13 St Mark’s Place.

Junior’s website is here.  Junior’s has locations in Brooklyn, Grand Central and Times Square

Vegan Divas Valentine’s Day collection can be ordered at Opensky online.  Vegan Divas website is here.

Jacques Torres has has five locations in the city and his website is here.

Payard has two different locations in New York City.  His website for ordering is here.

Kyotofu is located at 705 9th Ave (48 and 49th St).  Their website is here.

For simple, chocolate-centric Valentine’s Day ideas check out Kathy Chan’s recommended warm chocolate desserts on SeriousEats NY.

Follow DessertBuzz on Twitter.

Plated dessert from Karen DeMasco of Locana Verde

Last night was the New York Food & Wine Festival “Sweet” event and the desserts on display were truly awesome.  Rarely are so many of New York’s best pastry chefs and their desserts all in one place at the same time.  Here’s Part 1 (Part @ is here) of some  of best plates on hand:

Johnny Iuzzini's Crispy Godiva Chocolate and Praline Pop with Cranberry

Johnny Iuzzini’s booth was mobbed all night.  I thought he would win the fan prize but he was just beaten by The Doughnut Plant.  More from Johnny Iuzzini of Jean Georges on Dessertbuzz.

Doughnut Plant's Creme Brulee doughnut - the winner of the attendee voting for best dessert

The inside of the Doughnut Plant's creme brulee doughnut

The Doughnut Plant brought a selection of doughnuts including a delicious jelly doughnut but their creme brulee doughnut, which was hand-blow-torched on the spot was the hit of the show and netted them the prize for best dessert at the 2011 Sweet event.   More from the Doughnut Plant on Dessertbuzz.  Look for a “blow torch” video on this soon.

Karen DeMasco of Locanda Verde Cranberry Spice cake with Mascarpone Gelato

Karen DeMasco’s desserts are always interesting and always delicious.  More from Karen DeMasco of Locanda Verde on DessertBuzz.

Andrea Jarosh of Donatella brought a classic cannoli

You think you have had good cannolis?  Think again.  These are the real deal.  More from Andrea Jarosh of Donatella on DessertBuzz.

Catrine Oscarson from Mas Farmhouse house made marshmallows

More coverage of Catrine Oscarson of Mas (Farmhouse).

Kyotofu's Michelle Park's pear and cranberry anmitsu with shiro-an cream

More coverage of Michelle Park from Kyotofu.

Erin McKenna from Babycakes gluten, dairy, Soy and refined-sugar free brownies

The all-vegan Baby Cakes bakery had some killer chocolate brownies.  Not sure anyone would ever be able to tell that these doughnuts were vegan and gluten free.  More coverage of Baby Cakes at the show coming soon.

Stay tuned for tons more coverage of the Sweet event including interviews.

New York Food and Wine Festival - Sweet Event on September 29th, sponsored by Godiva

New York Food and Wine Festival - Sweet Event on September 29th, sponsored by Godiva

I can’t believe how many Dessert Buzz favorites are attending the “Sweet” event at the New York Food and Wine Festival (Tonight!).  It will be a truly awesome event this for any attendee, so grab your tickets asap since this event will sell out. EVENT IS SOLD OUT! Pastry chefs attending the event who have been featured on DessertBuzz  include  Francois Payard (interview) of Francois Chocolate Bar, Gustav Tzoc (interview) of Abe and Arthur’s, Andrea Jarosh of Donatella, Michelle Park of Kyotofu, Karen DeMasco of Locanda Verde, Catrine Oscarson of Mas, Ludovic Augendre and Florian Bellange of Mad Mac, Johnny Iuzzini of Jean Georges, Alison Kave of First Prize Pies and Ron Ben-Israel Cakes,  Details below.

Andrea Jarosh's Sfogliatella dessert from Donatella

Karen DeMasco Mini Rhubarb Pie

Mad-Mac's Macarons

Catrine Oscarson's plated dessert from Mas

Francois Payard's peerless Opera Cake

Alison Kave's S'mores pie from First Prize Pies

Chocolate Bench from Gustavo Tzoc

The Kyotofu chocolate cupcake

Event takes place Friday, September 30th at 9:00 p.m. $175.00 at 82 Mercer.  For more info go here or click on the logo above.

New York Food and Wine Festival - Sweet Event on September 29th, sponsored by Godiva

I can’t believe how many Dessert Buzz favorites are attending the “Sweet” event at the New York Food and Wine Festival this year.  It will be a truly awesome event this for any attendee, so grab your tickets asap since this event will sell out.   Pastry chefs featured on DessertBuzz  include  Francois Payard (interview) of Francois Chocolate Bar, Gustav Tzoc (interview) of Abe and Arthur’s, Andrea Jarosh of Donatella, Michelle Park of Kyotofu, Karen DeMasco of Locanda Verde, Catrine Oscarson of Mas, Ludovic Augendre and Florian Bellange of Mad Mac, Johnny Iuzzini of Jean Georges and Alison Kave of First Prize Pies.  Details below.

Andrea Jarosh's Sfogliatella dessert from Donatella

Karen DeMasco Mini Rhubarb Pie

Mad-Mac's Macarons

Catrine Oscarson's plated dessert from Mas

Francois Payard's peerless Opera Cake

Alison Kave's S'mores pie from First Prize Pies

Chocolate Bench from Gustavo Tzoc

The Kyotofu chocolate cupcake

Event takes place Friday, September 30th at 9:00 p.m. $175.00 at 82 Mercer.  For more info go here or click on the logo above.

The Kyotofu chocolate brownie

“Mommy, did you get those yummy vegan brownies from Kyotofu instead of those bags of Reeses peanut butter cups you usually get?  Oh happy happy joy joy!”  That’s what your kids will say if you score these brownies this Halloween!  Really.  Ok, maybe not.

Saturday night I stopped by one of my favorite dessert destinations in NYC, Kyotofu.  I’ve written about them before and even celebrated my birthday there once.   I always stop by for one of their “souffle” cupcakes whenever I am in the theater district.

On Saturday I spotted something new in their bakery case: vegan dark chocolate brownies.  Recent experiences with Vegan Divas and Candle Cafe have made me curious about just how many good vegan desserts there are in this city.  Only one way to find out!

Cupcake from Kyotofu

Kyotofu’s vegan brownie is excellent.  It has a very rich dark chocolate flavor and was pretty moist – they’re more cake-like rather than fudge-like.  It actually tasted pretty similar to me to their souffle cupcakes – maybe a bit heavier as a brownie should be.  It was every bit as good as the (gold standard) Vegan Divas chocolate brownies.

Kyotofu vegan brownie is solid

So there you have it, another vegan dessert that can hold it’s own in a tough foodie city (yup that’s right I said it “VEGAN!”.

I was in the theater district on Saturday evening and all night long I was thinking about a quick trip to Kyotofu, one of the original destination dessert restaurants in NYC.    I have always been a big fan of their cupcakes which are really more like little souffles but I had never tried their macarons.  Which is odd since I tasted nearly half of Manahattan’s macarons a few weeks ago.   Eating a few more for comparison was just a good idea.

a nice looking macaron

The passion fruit macaron with chocolate ganache inside was a solid winner in my book.  A perfectly soft but not stale outside and a smooth layer of chocolate paste inside.  I asked when it was made and the host wasn’t sure but it seemed like it was either very early in the morning of that day or at around noon.

passion fruit macaron from Kyotofu

The strawberry macaron was more straight forward.  It had the same nice texture as the passion fruit macaon but it was strawberry through and through.  No Ganache of any kind inside.

Of course, Kyotofu also has plenty of fancy plated desserts too.  I actually once celebrated my birthday their with 6 friends but unfortunately, that was one of the posts that was lost when DessertBuzz crashed back in Feb.

Recommended: Kyotofu chocolate and green tea cupcakes and passion fruit and chocolate ganache macaron

Kyotofu is located at 705 9th Ave (48 and 49th St)