A.K.A.: The day I had my cake and ate it, too at two iconic locations.  I was in NYC for all of 6 hours today and somehow found my way into Two Little Red Hens and Laduree, all in one morning. My cousin Ann and I had made plans to go to Laduree, but luckily happened upon TLRH after a casual breakfast at Viand on the corner. After all the rave reviews we’d both heard, we had to go in.

I had heard of TLRH before, and I believe I’d even tasted one of their cupcakes, but the store felt like a dessert epiphany. It was more than just cupcakes— the cozy bakery filled its walls with cakes large and small, tiny bite-size cupcakes, cookies, scones, and biscuits, among other delights, served alongside piping hot lattes. My Cousin Ann and I ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the gorgeous sweets.

I settled on six miniature cupcakes (because I wanted to try pretty much everything there, and the mini allowed me a great variety without great guilt). From top left, clockwise: yellowcake with chocolate frosting, yellowcake with vanilla frosting (my boring favorite), red velvet cake, Brooklyn blackout, peanut butter fudge, and carrot cake.

After boxing up these tasty treats, and asking too many questions about the beautiful cakes, we made our way down to Laduree at 71st and Madison, taking a break for some Parisian delights. I had heard all about Laduree more than once from my friend Lindsay, who spent a semester living in Paris. Now that the patisserie has opened in NYC, it was on my must-try list. I was able to enjoy the authenticity, too— Laduree ships it’s macarons from Paris daily (so their secret recipe doesn’t get out!)

You can just sense from the magnificent windows that you’re walking into a special store. It has a European feel to it— naturally— as you find yourself gazing longingly at the variety of delicate sweets, from macarons to madeleines and tiny soaps shaped like French pastries.  With the girls in the store dressed in the pink aprons worn by their counterparts in Paris, Laduree is truly an experience.

Though seemingly difficult, I was finally able to painstakingly choose 8 macarons, making sure to bring at least one of Lindsay’s favorites back to Philadelphia with me.  They were wrapped up in a delicate box, placed in a beautiful bag, and I signed the receipt on a silver tray. Tres chic.

Upon returning to Philadelphia, we spent some time browsing (for our registry?) at Williams Sonoma, then grabbed dinner, and took our tiny sweet macarons to the park. Actually, sitting right in front of Parc. How Parisian.

We didn’t finish all of them, but we did get to sample some of the rainbow variety I brought home which included: raspberry, coffee, milk chocolate, amazing almond, pistachio, vanilla, and salted caramel.

I have to say, despite the quick trip and lengthy amount of time I spent on MegaBus today, it was a delightfully sweet Thursday.  I think my sweet tooth is sated… at least for now…