C is for City, Cookie and the Character Who Loves Them Both

By DIANA DENZA
July 28, 2011

Published: November 4, 2010

Craving a delicious cookie but in need of a reason to indulge? We have three. First, if you’re reading this, you’ve managed to come out of midterms alive and  that deserves a reward. Second, with thousands of shapes, sizes and flavors of cookies to choose from, New York is a hot spot to satisfy that sweet tooth.

Celebrate the birthday of Cookie Monster, a beloved Sesame Street character, with a delicious dark chocolate peanut butter chip cookie or a tasty oatmeal raisin cookie from Levain. (Anna Smyczynski/The Observer)

And third, there’s a birthday that may have slipped your mind. Don’t start checking your Facebook birthday events list, because this childhood friend isn’t into the whole social networking craze. Cookie Monster, the beloved blue resident of Sesame Street, celebrated his birthday on Nov. 2. So  to celebrate this very special day, have a cookie or two in his honor.

Bouchon Bakery
WHERE: 10 Columbus Circle
PRICE: Approximately $3 per cookie
PHONE: (212) 823-9363
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Best of the Best: TKO (Thomas Keller Oreo) Cookie

In general, Bouchon Bakery is out-of-control good, but the TKO will make you feel like a kid again. Even the most mature of us won’t be able to resist enjoying the sugary white chocolate filling sandwiched between two chocolatey cookies. And it’s so much better than those cookies you stole from the cookie jar years ago.

City Bakery
WHERE: 3 W. 18th St.
PRICE: $10 for full dessert
PHONE: (212) 366-1414
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Getting There: N, Q, R to 14th St. and Union Square
Best of the Best: Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

The cookies at this bustling Union Square spot take dessert to a whole new level. The oatmeal raisin cookies are moist, flavorful and have an almost scientifically precise ratio of raisins to dough. Science nerds, rejoice! You may have just stumbled onto a deliciously sweet new subject of study.

Levain
WHERE: 167 W. 74th St.
PRICE: $4 per cookie
PHONE: (212) 874-6080
Hours: Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Getting There: 1 to 72nd Street
Best of the Best: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookie

These scone-sized cookies prove that bigger really is better. If you love anything with peanut butter, these chunks of sweet and salty peanut butter chips will make you forget all about those Reese’s Cups you usually snack on. The warm, doughy center might even be enough to make you eat the whole thing in just a few bites. Words of advice: go hungry.

The Treats Truck
WHERE:Locations throughout the city
PRICE: Approximately $2 per sandwich
PHONE: (212) 691-5226
Best OF THE BEST: Caramel Creme Sandwich

Now it’s easier than ever to give in to your sugar cravings, so why not indulge in a sweet treat? The truck, which is located at a different street corner each day, boasts a phenomenal three-layer caramel crème sandwich cookie. The perfectly gooey center is enough to leave you happy to have sticky fingers.

Cookie Road
WHERE:94 Franklin St.
PRICE: $2 per cookie
PHONE: (718) 383-8094
Hours: Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Getting There: G to Greenpoint Avenue
Best of the Best: Grasshopper Bar Cookie

When those adorable little girl scouts come knocking, pass on the extra box of thin mints. Instead, try the Grasshopper Bar Cookie at Cookie Road. This cookie’s fudgy base is layered with peppermint and ganache, giving those pint sized do-gooders some fierce competition.

Tribeca Treats
WHERE: 94 Reade St.
PRICE: $12 for 12
PHONE: (212) 571-0500
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Getting There: 1 to Chambers St.
Best of the Best: S’mores cookie

Bring the bonfire to the big city with the cinnamon-laced graham cracker and marshmallow cream sandwich cookies. The gooey marshmallows and rich chocolate will make you relive your childhood days of singing songs around the fire at summer camp. Just make sure you don’t start belting out a tune in public.

Jacques Torres
WHERE: 285 Amsterdam between 73rd and 74th Sts
PRICE: $2.50 per cookie
PHONE: (212) 414-2462
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 pm. Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. -9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Getting There: 1 to 72nd St
Best of the Best: Chocolate Chip Cookie

The rich colors and cozy leather sofas inside this charming little European-style café will draw you in, but the cookies will make you stay. The classic chocolate chip cookie has never been so delightful. The rich, chewy batter is home to luscious melting chips of high quality chocolate. How can something be so creamy and delicious? The world may never know.