Gourmet Puddin'

Chikalicious Dessert Club

(204 E. 10th St b/t 1st & 2nd Ave)

http://www.dessertclubchikalicious.com/

Everytime we walk by this cute little place on a Saturday night, it's mobbed. Literally elbow to elbow. But at 5pm, it's pretty quiet. So that's when were able to enjoy a steamed vanilla custard (yum), and adult chocolate pudding (rich), and a 'smores cupcake (clever). The puddings were cheap at $3.50 and the cupcake was $2.25, but only because the 'smores flavor is considered a "deluxe" cupcake, the regular ones (like their red velvet or black & white) will only cost you $1.60!

The Verdict: cheap & chic

Gourmet Puddin'

Recession dumplings!

Vanessa's Dumplings
(220 E 14th St, b/t 2nd & 3rd Ave, New York, NY)

Hard not to notice the giant sign for $1.29 "Recession Price" dumplings as we walked by Vanessa's Dumplings. We decided on the pork & chive flavor and got 5 huge fried dumplings. Service was a bit rude, but the dumplings were pretty tasty.
The Verdict: Good for a quick snack in the East Village.

Recession dumplings!

Artichoke Pizza

Artichoke Basille's Pizza & Brewery
(328 E 14th Street b/t 1st Ave & 2nd Ave, New York, NY)
http://www.artichokepizza.com/

Tiny space, big lineup. $4 slices. Artichoke slice was thick, crusty and delicious. Crab slice was a goopy mess but so full of crabby goodness - LOVED IT. Inhaled my pizza crammed up against a garbage can, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. Hubby and I exchanged slices for a second to taste each other's pizza(he had the artichoke, I got the crab) and we couldn't wait to get our original slices back from one another. I guess we don't have exactly the same taste afterall.
The Verdict: Makes me salivate just thinking about it!

Artichoke Pizza

Pork bun from heaven...

Momofuku Milk Bar & Bakery
(207 Second Ave at 13th street)

http://www.momofuku.com/bakery/default.asp
Been waiting forever to try David Chang's famous pork bun (2 buns for $9). Thrilled to report that it was as good as all the hype! Pork belly virtually melted in our mouths. On lookers were salivating watching us eat them. I'm Chinese, so I've been eating pork buns my whole life (a.k.a. char siu bao) and these buns were truly delicious. Can't wait to go back and try the pork bun w/egg and the "volcano" (they were sold out when we went last week). Compost cookie was tasty but not as good as the cornflake/marshmallow cookie. My husband didn't like the cookies - he said that all he could taste was butter!
The Verdict: Can't get enough!

Pork bun from heaven...