New York’s Tastiest Apple Desserts
One of America’s favorite desserts is undoubtedly Apple Pie: It’s traditional, comforting, and well, very American. But there’s a lot more to apples than just deep-dish double crusts. From the Apple Cheesecake at Blue Hill to the Honeycrisp-layered Mille-Feuille at The Elm in Brooklyn, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite apple desserts, boasting the delicious versatility of the beloved fall fruit!
Toro
We’ve all heard that saying about New York: If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere, so it’s no wonder established restaurateurs feel the need to try their luck in NYC. That includes Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonette, who recently opened a Meatpacking District outpost of their Boston hit, Toro. And so far, the Chelsea hotspot seems to have what it takes with a menu of both classic and modern tapas using Spanish techniques and market-fresh ingredients. Our list of favorite bites is too long to share here (alright, we’re nuts for the Squid & Farm Egg A La Plancha), but whatever you start with, make sure to end your meal with the Goat Yogurt Mousse with Julienned Heirloom Apples and Licorice Caramel.
Blue Hill
If you can’t wrangle a reservation (or handle the out-of-town trip) to Dan Barber’s Blue Hill at Stone Barns, his West Village outpost is only a phone call and subway ride away. Since opening in 2000, Blue Hill has been utterly dedicated to showcasing local food, much of it sourced from its own upstate farm, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. And since it’s apple season, you’ll want to follow up your meal of Pastured Chicken with foraged Shitake Mushrooms with a wedge of Apple Cheesecake served with Toasted Almond Ice Cream, or Apple Compote topped with Corn Crumble and Buttermilk Sorbet.
Locanda Verde
Karen DeMasco may have left the building so to speak, but luckily for us, she’s permanently left her mark where pastries, and specifically, apples are concerned. The food at Andrew Carmellini’s cozy Tribeca restaurant tucked inside the Greenwich Hotel is Italian-influenced tavern-style cooking, which is a fancy way of saying Italian comfort food. Think Pumpkin Agnolotti with Brown Butter, Sage and Aged Balsamic, Roasted Diver Scallops with Sicilian Cauliflower, Pine Nuts and Capers, followed by a rustic Apple Crostata with Apple Cider Caramel and Brown Butter Gelato for dessert.
Read MoreThe Elm
Manhattan has no shortage of prestigious hotel restaurants to choose from, but Paul Liebrandt’s The Elm is a unique and welcome addition to the flourishing Brooklyn hotel and restaurant scene. Not that you need to book a room at the King & Grove to enjoy Liebrandt’s progression of shareable dishes, like Red Kuri Pumpkin with Crispy Sweetbreads, or Lobster Cassoulet for two. Technically, the Popcorn Mille-feuille, a Napoleon-style pastry served with Honeycrisp Apple and Caramel Popcorn is also meant for sharing, but we won’t pass judgment if you’d just as soon keep it for yourself. We certainly would.
Rouge Tomate
Just because this chic, Upper East Side eatery is all about achieving “Health Through Food” doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate dessert. Salted Devils Food Cake with Frozen Yogurt and Bananas sounds pretty decadent and delicious to us. Better yet, sample the cheese plate with Cabot Clothbound Cheddar with a freshly Roasted Apple Puree, Heirloom Apples, Celery, Black Walnuts and IPA Gelee.
Recette
No matter how old we get, we never lose our childish delight for candied apples (you know, the kind that come on a stick). Pastry chef Christina Lee’s adult version is much more sophisticated. Dine at Jesse Schenker’s quaint West Village haunt on the likes of Bone Marrow Toast with Trout Roe or Salt Cod Fritters and finish with a Caramel Apple accompanied by Milk Chocolate Caramel Custard, Peanut Butter Popcorn Brittle, Cranberry Sorbet and Puff Pastry – a decidedly grown up take on one of our favorite childhood treats!
Buttermilk Channel
Buttermilk Channel is one of our go-to spots in Brooklyn for refined American comfort foods, including their now infamous Fried Chicken with Cheddar Waffles, Duck Meatloaf with Onion Rings and Parsnip Mash, and a classic warm Dutch Apple Pie. Instead of cheddar, they offset the sweet fruit filling with a swirl of cream cheese, and instead of a top crust, it’s liberally paved with a crunchy brown sugar streusel.
Sweet Melissa Patisserie
This cozy little Park Slope café features strong coffee, calming loose-leaf teas and freshly baked pastries, ideal for grabbing on the go or enjoying in their lush back garden (weather permitting, of course). Our favorite cold weather treat, however, is their Caramel Apple Bread Pudding, a Crème Brulee and Custard-soaked Brioche layered with Caramelized Apples and served with a warm Caramel Rum Raisin Sauce. Died and gone to apple heaven.
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