Signature Chocolate Chip | New York City

On my last visit to NYC, DŌ Cookie Dough Confections was on my must-try list.  I had heard about it, watched a story on the TODAY Show, ogled their Instagram for months... I was GOING to try this dough. 

Their neon says it best, “dreams dough come true!” This safe-to-eat dough was my idea of a perfect bite.  Chip-to-dough ratio?  On point.  Sweet vs. salty?  Totally balanced.  The signature chocolate chip was classic in every way. I am in love.

A word of warning - it was RICH.  Remember how you used to leave a considerable amount of cookie dough in the mixing bowl and claimed you “couldn’t get it to scrape off” with a spatula?   And then do you remember proceeding to miraculously scrape it off and eat every bite?  Was that just me? When I baked cookies last week?  Okay... anyway! Eating a scoop of DŌ is just like that. It tastes exactly the same and, if you’re not careful, can feel exactly the same, too.  I had one scoop and it was more than enough.  But if you’re brave - go for that triple scoop!  Try every flavor.  Carpe diem!

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

DŌ is located in Greenwich Village and, like most NYC Cookie Tour stops, it’s a tiny little store.  It’s also a very cute little store!  It rivals my hometown favorite for a happy interior, so you know I lit up when I walked in.  It’s a tight squeeze and there will likely be a line when you arrive.  We had the luckiest trip - there weren’t long lines for any of our cookie stops!  We waited a few short minutes, selected our scoops, and scooted on out the door.  Even if we would’ve had to wait longer, it would have been worth it!

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

Greenwich Village is rife with unique restaurants and local flair.  Washington Square Park is just steps away from DŌ, so I recommend walking that way to find a place to sit.  You’ll see the arch and cross another must-see off your list while you enjoy your scoop.

I also saw several sandwich boards for some fantastic brunch deals in the area.  I’m curious, though, about a sign for a restaurant that had bottomless mimosas for 90 minutes.  Is this a thing in New York? Because if someone instituted this rule in OKC my friends would definitely get kicked out. And does the 90 minutes start when you order or when you get your first mimosa?  Who’s timing?  Do they say “glasses down!!?” Must you drop your champagne flute like it’s a pencil after a standardized test?  New Yorkers - if you can help answer these questions, I may go for a 90 minute brunch prior to my next cookie dough stop.

Enough about my brunch questions.  Let’s get to those cookie dough stats! Enjoy that fresh-out-of-the-mixer taste, my friends! 

THE CLASSIC | NEW YORK CITY

Schmackary’s is a happy little cookie spot.  It’s got a great atmosphere and even better cookies.  They have so many different kinds that it’s hard to choose just one!  Lucky for me, I’m focusing my efforts on chocolate chip.  It makes these decisions a little easier.  This chocolate chip was your beautiful, wonderful classic, hence its name.  It has a little sea salt on top that balances the sweetness of the chips.  It was chewy throughout with enough melted chocolate to make a mess.  Just the way I like it!

Cookies from Schmackary’s are all about medium-sized.  They’re not too rich, so you can eat more than one and not feel totally bad about yourself.   With that said, my second cookie was the Peanut Butter Patty.  MMM MMM!  I love a good peanut butter and chocolate combo.  And the ratio between the peanut butter cookie and creamy chocolate icing?  Perfection.  

With cookies like Schmackerdoodle, Sweet Corn, Cereal Killer and Maple Bacon, you’re going to need to take a few friends and try them all.

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

My friends and I visited Schmackary’s after a Sunday matinee of Hello, Dolly! *Everyone, please take a moment to bow to the queen that is Bernadette.* Schmackary’s is just off of Times Square, and is the perfect place for a post- or pre-show treat.  With a Broadway show and a trip to Schmackary’s, I was basically living my best New York life.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

You’re right on the cusp of Hell’s Kitchen when you’re at Schmackary’s, so there is good food EVERYWHERE.  We walked just one block over to 46th Street and had incredible hand made pasta at Becco.  All three of us had the Sinfonia di Paste, which is tableside service of the chef’s three daily pastas.  Oh, my.  Unlimited pasta plus a salad to start.  Becco is a true gem.  Be careful how many rounds of pasta you have—you’ll want to save room for your Schmackary’s stop!

P.S.

Schmackary’s is currently doing an online vote to see where their next location should be. OKC Cookie Tourists—let’s stuff that electronic ballot box and get that next location here!  VOTE HERE!

CHOCOLATE CHIP WALNUT COOKIE | NEW YORK CITY

Levain Bakery.  The legend.  It was at the top of my tasting list on my last trip to New York.  Before I left for the trip, everyone said I HAD TO VISIT LEVAIN.  In all caps.  Just like that.  I kept thinking to myself, “There’s no way that this cookie is that good.  It can’t be!”  Guess what?  IT WAS. 

A giant mound of chocolatey goodness, the Levain Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie is in a league of its own.  It is served so warm that it’s hard to get it to even stay put together!  This is one of those cookies that defies imagination.  How is it so big, yet so soft at the same time?  I don’t like walnuts, but they kept the cookie from being too sweet and added a nice layer to the texture. Do I like walnuts now?  How is this all possible?

I had a friend describe Levain cookies as a giant wad of dough.  I think that’s pretty accurate!  What’s incredible, though, is that this mountainous cookie has a crisp, golden brown outer layer.  Just underneath, there’s an extremely chewy, doughy center that melts in your mouth. And the chocolate?  It is everywhere.  I mean EVERYWHERE.  It was hard to take a beautiful photo of the center because I had chocolate all over my hands and, let’s face it, a gooey cookie just doesn’t really photograph well.  

In summary, there’s a reason why this cookie is the granddaddy of them all.  It’s one-of-a-kind.  Worth the wait.  A must-have. 

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

I visited the location on West 74th Street.  We were very lucky and the line was short when we arrived (little hint—they have a Cookie Line-Cam on their web site!).  Even the locals were amazed at the lack of people waiting.  When we got inside, we discovered why there’s always a line outside—aside from the incredible cookies.  The interior is simply a counter.  There is little space to sit or stand.  Make your decision quickly, because everyone wants to get through as quickly as possible.  The aroma from the cookies is delicious.  Grab a few and be on your merry way.

it was a snowy Saturday when two of my favorite Cookie Tourists and I visited Levain.  Instead of digging in right when we left the bakery, we walked across Central Park to the Met.  It was a dream New York day!  We sat in The Met’s cafe to eat our cookies.  I’m not sure if that’s frowned upon, but we did it anyway! 

WHILE YOU’RE THERE​

While you’re there, you have to try the ​Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie, too.  WOW.  It is incredible, too.  It is the same magical mound of cookie with the crispy exterior and gooey center.  The dark chocolate dough is just bittersweet enough.  It pulls apart and is also big enough to share.  Grab one of each and share with a friend!