Shake Shack - Times Square

I popped into the Times Square branch of the Shake Shack located at 300 West 44th Street for a quick lunch.

I had the Shack Burger ($4.75), cheese fries ($3.75) and an Arnold Palmer ($2.25). It was cold outside so instead of having a frozen custard I had the daily hot chocolate - salted peanut butter ($3.75). It tasted like a warm Reese's peanut butter cup. Delish!

Wild Flour - Charleston

...is located at 73 Spring Street and is known for their pecan sticky buns. So I had to trek uptown to try one for myself. For only $2 you get a fresh from the oven sticky bun. I also had a small hot chocolate ($1.75) and took a mini vanilla cupcake ($1) with peanut butter frosting to go.

I notice that Charlestonian cupcakes all have a nice tall swirl of frosting.

Michael's Bridge Diner - Massachusetts

"M" took me to this "rustic" diner for breakfast. It's located on Route 70 in Lancaster. You can easily spot if down the road because there is a huge hay bale scarecrow at the parking lot entrance.

And once inside you can see the "prizes" bagged by the owner who is an avid hunter.

I had a hot chocolate with whipped cream and french toast.

"M" had the western omelette with home fries and cinnamon raisin toast.

The food was basic and good. The decor was quite interesting if you like stuffed and mounted animals.

The City Bakery

...is located in NYC's Flatiron District at 3 West 18th Street and is one of my favorite bakeries.

I love the rich, decadent hot chocolate ($4.50). On this day I also had a baker's pastry ($3.50) which was a pull apart sweet bun with cinnamon, raisins and walnuts and dusted with powdered sugar.

Tisserie

is a small cafe located in the DKNY store in NYC's SoHo at 98 Thompson Street. They offer wraps, paninis, baked goods and hot beverages.

I had an almond croissant ($3.25) that was bigger than my hand and mini hot chocolate ($1) that was served in something akin to a Dixie cup. The croissant was fresh and dusted with powdered sugar. And the hot chocolate was just enough to satisfy my chocolate craving without being too rich or heavy.

Cannelle Patisserie

is located in NYC's Queens neighborhood of Jackson Heights. This wonderful pastry shop/cafe is located in an unassuming strip mall. It is owned by a former Waldorf-Astoria pastry chef. On the weekend there was a long line of customers.

I had the egg and cheese croissant sandwich ($2.50), 12 oz hot chocolate ($2) and red velvet cupcake ($2.50). The croissant was buttery and tasty. The hot chocolate was pedestrian. The cupcake was moist, but did not have enough frosting to cover all of the cake portion.

I took home 2 macarons (chocolate and berry, $1/each) - both good and about the size of a silver dollar; napoleon ($2) which was flaky with tasty cream; and a lemon muffin ($2).

There was so many other tempting things it was hard to narrow down my selection so I will return. In addition to the pastries the cakes, breads and sandwiches looked very yummy as well.