I think September really is the best time to visit New York. The first time I ever went that side of the Atlantic was about eighteen years ago and it was in September. What I remember most was walking. I loved the block and grid system. So easy to get around. Street level was fascinating. There was noise everywhere and street sellers. All manner of street sellers. The hot dog and pretzel vendors with queues around them jostling to stay orderly. This was where I saw my first ever doughnut seller. A little stand on wheels with poles and poles of doughnuts. I wish I had taken a photo of him but at the time my camera roll was full of the Empire State Building and Yellow Cabs, Broadway and the Statue of Liberty.
A rejuvenated meatpacking district
The area I remember this from was the meatpacking district. An odd place for a fish eating vegetarian to find herself. We were en route to or from the Circle Line and as soon as I smelled them I wanted them. Sugar. That smell of sugar from a doughnut entices me in seconds to savour something so incredibly bad but so delectably good at the same time. I had more than one of course and felt sick from the sweet. But that smell, that taste brings the New York pavement back every single time.
I visited this district again recently and it’s now of course home to some pretty cool and trendy places as well as The High Line. The High Line is a 1.45-mile long walkway built on a section of a disused New York central railroad spur. It’s a work of art that takes you above street level for a glimpse of life top down.
The High Line, NYC
Street Art viewed from The High Line
Looking down on everyday life
There are still street sellers but I didn’t notice the doughnut men. They seem to have all moved from their bicycles to ultra hip cafes. One such success story is Mark Israel, founder of The Doughnut Plant. His is a long history tracing back to 1910 and giving a glimpse into how American life has evolved. He started in the basement of a converted tenement building in 1994 baking doughnuts all night to his grandfather’s recipe and has since opened two cafes.
Doughnuts made to an ancestral recipe
We visited The Chelsea Hotel location as it was just a short walk from one of the High Line exits. It’s a minimalist but quirky place with doughnuts on the walls as well as the menu.
Doughnuts on the walls …
Doughnuts on the tables…
Coffee is most certainly the right beverage to counter the sweet, sugary but not sickly creations. But there is also artisan tea. The milk comes from a New York dairy.
Just coffee or tea
Each doughnut was so utterly perfectly balanced.
Lemon
My favourite – Rose
The girls preferred the chocolate rings
Can you smell them?
The Doughnut Plant is at The Hotel Chelsea on 220 West 23rd Street and 379 Grand Street. You can also buy their doughnuts at all sorts of locations in the city. Check their website for specials.
These beauties remind me of some of the works of art in the best Parisian patisseries selling eclairs. So gorgeous.
You’re right it is a true artisan product with some lovely history too. Great they use his grandfathers recipe still
Mmmm, yes. I can smell that lemon one definitely! 🙂 Love those decorations too!
Aren’t they fabulous? My girls wanted to take them home
Fabulous photos Urvashi – they’ve got me wanting to book a flight right now! And yes, I think I can smell the doughnuts… and the coffee
Thank you Sarah. Every time I walk and see a naff Krispy Kreme it makes me yearn for great neighbourhood doughnuts like they have in NYC. But then I would be as fat as a pig so maybe not a bad thing
Well, great, now I want a doughnut 😉 Wonderful post and pics! Cheers, Ben
Thanks Ben. Had me wanting to go and make some too. A weekend project perhaps
This was a delicious blog, made me reach frantically for coffee and pastries at 10:17pm
Thank you and I hope the pastries were as good as these!
Hello! We are featuring the best of food & drink posts around the world and would like your permission to feature a trimmed part of your post in our site. I will add in your blog post link to the feature. Hope to hear from you soon!
Sure no problem
Fascinating post, and some gorgeous photos!
Absolutely gorgeous blog post! They look amazing and now I want a doughnut pillow!
Thank you and errrrm I’m sorry (!)
What lovely looking doughnuts. I haven’t been to NY for decades!
Tasted as good as they looked!
After seeing the GBBO doughnut challenge this week I certainly had the urge to make some – if not eat one. These look incredible. I think it’s sad the way really bad doughnuts have invaded our cities. The two big US brands are salty, flat in taste and are packed full of chemicals. A really good doughnut is a fantastic treat and a joy.
Fabulous photos, I want doughnuts now and a big mug of coffee!
Me too! Feeling peckish
That sounds fun!! I will mention it our Friday Newsletter 🙂