A friend was taking a trip to Ireland and asked if A friend was taking a trip to Ireland and asked if I wanted her to bring me back anything. Would you believe me if I told you I asked for salt? I love picking up different varieties, whether we’re traveling or I’m just visiting a new shop. Maddie grabbed me a super cute one from her trip to Paris last year, and the Magic Unicorn Salt I get locally is another favorite. What’s yours?
One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a serious case of FOMO on the daily, gets hiccups more than anyone we know and has perpetual bed head. She’s quite the unique roommate but may be exactly what our home needed. 💛
I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw th I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw that @njdotcom had picked six bagel shops at the “best in the state,” and one was reasonably local, all the sudden I needed one. I was never one to fall prey to peer pressure, but I’m very definitely a marketer’s dream. 😂 Alfa Bagels is on Route 10 in Randolph and has a good assortment of bagels, including all the usual suspects, but with a few others like rainbow, Asiago and French Toast throw in for good measure. Their bagels always seem to have a nice chew, which I appreciate and I love their sesame one. My go-to order lately is a double toasted flagel with lox spread and tomato. Their lox spread is a little ho hum, but the bagel is delish. Check them out next time you’ve got a craving (or get motivated by a local news story 😝). What’s your bagel order?
✌🏻 ✌🏻
When you really really really want to be best frie When you really really really want to be best friends. 💛
When a stressful week with deadlines ends with Nat When a stressful week with deadlines ends with National Cheese Lovers Day, how could I not partake? Tbh, I wasn’t especially hungry, and the appetizers are always the best section of any menu, so the queso blanco from El Mejicano in town wasn’t too hard a choice. It’s smoky and cheesy and I could have licked the bowl clean, but a girl’s gotta have some boundaries. Happy weekend, friends! ✨
A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her of me and dropped it off in our mailbox, which really touched me. 💛 Life is too freaking short not to make conscious decisions to do more of what makes you happy, and to cut out the things that don’t. Rainbow Rowell said it best, “So, what if, instead of thinking about solving you whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.”
The face and the daily hiccups… 😍 The face and the daily hiccups… 😍
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Writing
  • Contact

Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Billy’s Bakery

April 12, 2008 · Narrative

tray-sma.jpgA few weeks ago, when Nicholas and I were running around doing errands in preparation for Easter, we stopped in at a local bakery to grab a few dessert items.

“I know the name of this bakery, Mama,” he said as I went to open the door, trying to juggle the door, Madeline and my purse.

“You do?”

“Yes, it’s Billy’s Bakery,” he said, with a big grin splashing across his face.

How cute is he?!  It wasn’t Billy’s, but I was tickled that he actually DOES listen to me when I ramble on about the best cupcakes ever. Swoon worthy, I tell you, swoon worthy.  I told him it wasn’t, but we quickly formulated a plan to go into the city and visit Billy’s, and we did the following weekend.

nick-and-me-small.jpgNo traffic in the Lincoln Tunnel, it seemed like we were pulling in front of the shop in minutes. Not only was there no traffic, but there was a parking space right in front! And if that wasn’t enough to make me think I should play the lottery, the bakery was uncharacteristically empty. All told, the place is super-tiny, its reputation much, much larger than its square footage. Right beyond the entrance, there are two small 1950s-style retro tables that can seat maybe 6 or 7 people … 8 or 9 perhaps, if you don’t mind getting extra-friendly with your neighbors.

Pleased with our luck, we plunked our things down to save one of the tables and walked over to the glass display case, perfect little pastel mounds before us, just waiting to be chosen. But which to choose? Nicholas went with a chocolate cupcake with pale green frosting, and me, a pink-frosted one (surely you’re not surprised?). My stepdaughter chose a pink-frosted one as well and The Husband?

The only person I know who comes along on a cupcake field trip and chooses Cherry Cheesecake. What can I say, he’s a work in progress. ;) Poor Madeline just got her bottle, but oh the treasures that await her when she’s old enough!

billys-sign-small.jpgOnce we had our treats, we sat down and dug in. Within minutes, they were just a memory, but what a good one… While we were waiting for Nicholas to finish up, I took a couple pictures and chatted up the girl who was doing the frosting (after I promised her I wouldn’t get her in the shot). I asked if she was sick of cupcakes, having to see hundreds of them daily, and she, surprisingly, said no. She allows herself one a day and still loves them as much as ever. My kind of girl.

Once everyone found out what we were up to that Saturday morning, they were quickly placing their own order for Billy’s Bakery cupcakes, and we have converted a few more people along the way.  Not yet a convert yourself?  If you’re in the area, do stop in and treat yourself.  The cupcakes are two bucks a pop, but I guarantee they’re worth every penny.

just-a-memory-small.jpg

Billy’s Bakery
184 9th Avenue
NYC, 10011
Tel: 212.647.9956
Store Hours:
Monday to Thurs 9am-11pm
Friday 9am-12am
Saturday 9am-12am
Sunday 10am-10pm

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    April 12, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    My DH would have done the same thing . . .

    Reply
  2. Patsy Kreitman says

    April 13, 2008 at 1:11 pm

    Ooooh, that might have to be a part of our next trip into NYC. Although, we’ll have to spend the rest of the day walking off those wonderful treats!

    Reply
  3. Sarah says

    April 13, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    Man, I could KILL for a cupcake! Good work on the culinary education front! I nominated you for an award at my site. The link is here: http://yummysmells.blogspot.com/2008/04/bittersweet-well-mostly-sweet.html. Congrats!

    Reply
  4. The Neighor (wife) says

    April 14, 2008 at 9:20 am

    These cupcakes are the BEST!!!

    Thank God they aren’t closer.

    Cate makes a pretty good copy.

    Reply
  5. The Neighbor Husband says

    April 14, 2008 at 10:03 am

    When Cate and the wife told be how much each cupcake cost ($2), I had my doubts of the idea of a cupcake being worth that much. We arrived home after our weekly dinner with Cate with our box of cupcakes. I said what the heck, let me see how good or not this expensive cupcake is. I want to go on record “THE BEST CUPCAKE I HAVE HAD IN QUITE AND I STRESS QUITE SOME TIME.” The only reason I am not saying the best ever is because I am almost trying to remember a better cupcake. But I can’t recall one.

    Reply
  6. sizzle says

    April 14, 2008 at 1:50 pm

    That’s it. I am definitely getting a cupcake this week.

    Reply
  7. Maria says

    April 15, 2008 at 10:56 am

    Those look good. What’s the cross street?

    Reply
  8. Cate says

    April 15, 2008 at 11:06 am

    Maria, on 9th Avenue between 21st and 22nd.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Storytelling…
Through photos.
Words. And recipes.

Archives

Categories

Instagram

A friend was taking a trip to Ireland and asked if A friend was taking a trip to Ireland and asked if I wanted her to bring me back anything. Would you believe me if I told you I asked for salt? I love picking up different varieties, whether we’re traveling or I’m just visiting a new shop. Maddie grabbed me a super cute one from her trip to Paris last year, and the Magic Unicorn Salt I get locally is another favorite. What’s yours?
One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a serious case of FOMO on the daily, gets hiccups more than anyone we know and has perpetual bed head. She’s quite the unique roommate but may be exactly what our home needed. 💛
I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw th I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw that @njdotcom had picked six bagel shops at the “best in the state,” and one was reasonably local, all the sudden I needed one. I was never one to fall prey to peer pressure, but I’m very definitely a marketer’s dream. 😂 Alfa Bagels is on Route 10 in Randolph and has a good assortment of bagels, including all the usual suspects, but with a few others like rainbow, Asiago and French Toast throw in for good measure. Their bagels always seem to have a nice chew, which I appreciate and I love their sesame one. My go-to order lately is a double toasted flagel with lox spread and tomato. Their lox spread is a little ho hum, but the bagel is delish. Check them out next time you’ve got a craving (or get motivated by a local news story 😝). What’s your bagel order?
✌🏻 ✌🏻

Pinterest

A friend was taking a trip to Ireland and asked if A friend was taking a trip to Ireland and asked if I wanted her to bring me back anything. Would you believe me if I told you I asked for salt? I love picking up different varieties, whether we’re traveling or I’m just visiting a new shop. Maddie grabbed me a super cute one from her trip to Paris last year, and the Magic Unicorn Salt I get locally is another favorite. What’s yours?
One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a serious case of FOMO on the daily, gets hiccups more than anyone we know and has perpetual bed head. She’s quite the unique roommate but may be exactly what our home needed. 💛
I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw th I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw that @njdotcom had picked six bagel shops at the “best in the state,” and one was reasonably local, all the sudden I needed one. I was never one to fall prey to peer pressure, but I’m very definitely a marketer’s dream. 😂 Alfa Bagels is on Route 10 in Randolph and has a good assortment of bagels, including all the usual suspects, but with a few others like rainbow, Asiago and French Toast throw in for good measure. Their bagels always seem to have a nice chew, which I appreciate and I love their sesame one. My go-to order lately is a double toasted flagel with lox spread and tomato. Their lox spread is a little ho hum, but the bagel is delish. Check them out next time you’ve got a craving (or get motivated by a local news story 😝). What’s your bagel order?
✌🏻 ✌🏻
When you really really really want to be best frie When you really really really want to be best friends. 💛
When a stressful week with deadlines ends with Nat When a stressful week with deadlines ends with National Cheese Lovers Day, how could I not partake? Tbh, I wasn’t especially hungry, and the appetizers are always the best section of any menu, so the queso blanco from El Mejicano in town wasn’t too hard a choice. It’s smoky and cheesy and I could have licked the bowl clean, but a girl’s gotta have some boundaries. Happy weekend, friends! ✨
A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her of me and dropped it off in our mailbox, which really touched me. 💛 Life is too freaking short not to make conscious decisions to do more of what makes you happy, and to cut out the things that don’t. Rainbow Rowell said it best, “So, what if, instead of thinking about solving you whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.”
The face and the daily hiccups… 😍 The face and the daily hiccups… 😍

Copyright © 2023 Sweetnicks · Theme by Vicki Harrison Design