While in Montauk this week, I was absolutely ecstatic to see us pass a Levain Bakery, on our way to our final destination. I've heard about this delightful bakery having an outpost out East, but I forgot all about it, so you can imagine my elation when we came upon it. Deciding to hit it up on the way back from our trip, we stuck to our plan, as we indulged one last time before leaving our awesome local getaway.
Atmosphere:
Having a totally different feel than the Manhattan location, this one is located in Wainscott, NY, about 15 minutes West of Montauk, and fitting to its remote location, the atmosphere here is also very laid back. Unlike the Manhattan locale, this one appears to be a lot more spacious, and even has room for seating, which is nice.
When I came in, I didn't see many folks there, which was surprising since the city location is always packed and you always have to wait on line. Not here though, as I walked up to the counter right away, ordered and in about 2 minutes walked out with a piping hot cookie. And even though it was as easy as pie (I mean, cookie), there was something that was missing from the very enjoyable ritual of waiting on line in kid-like, sugar anticipation for that amazing cookie.
Cookie:
I decided to try a different cookie this time from my traditional chocolate chip walnut that I usually get. No...this time it would be the chocolate, chocolate chip and I couldn't wait to compare the two.
The size of this cookie was totally on par with its blond sibling, large and imposing, with a few melty bits of chocolate oozing from its inside. Once I took a bite though, things turned up a notch, as I experienced a chocolate explosion in the richest sense of the word. It's hard to describe properly, but the soft, fudgy inside of the cookie tasted like a marriage of the most spectacular brownie and a cookie. I loved the slightly crunchy exterior that gave you a few toothsome bites to juxtapose with all that soft, velvety goodness.
Service and Cost:
As I already mentioned, the service was really fast since the bakery wasn't busy. I liked that my server was cordial and friendly, and didn't possess the pretentious attitude of some of the other waitstaff we ran into in Montauk or Amagansett.
Costs are totally on par with its Manhattan sibling, and this bodacious chocolate cookie bomb set me back 4 well-worth dollars.
3 Mmmms
Levain Bakery - 354 Montauk Highway, Wainscott NY 11975
631.537.8570
www.levainbakery.com
You're probably wondering why I'm showing you a picture of a half eaten cookie, but if you've been to Levain Bakery even once, this picture will resonate. And if you follow me on Twitter, you've probably noticed I've posted about this delectable treat on a number of occasions - and since it's frequently on my mind, I just had to dedicate a post to it.
Atmosphere:
From a quick glance, Levain may appear to be just like any other bakery (no frills, small, a bit hidden) but once you start to approach it, the intoxicating smell will arouse all your senses. I can't even describe how happy I feel as I approach its simple storefront, ecstatic to breathe in that heavenly aroma of warm chocolate and freshly baked cookie dough.
Although you'll find yourself waiting in line at any time of day here, it's expedited quite quickly and even this mandatory ritual is part of the fun, building more excitement and anticipation.
I like that when your turn is up, your order is taken care of quickly and each time I've been, I always get a fresh, hot-off-the-cookie-sheet treat that makes me feel so so happy.
Cookies:
Even though Levain boasts various flavors of their famous cookies, including dark chocolate chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, dark chocolate peanut butter chip, the very reason to come here in my opinion is for their chocolate chip walnut cookie. It's what's put them on the map of dessert stardom and the main reason they'll remain there for a long time, so I think. For this reason, the latter cookie is the only one I've had here to date, and I strongly urge you to try it. Even if just once!
Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie - The first time I was about to try this cookie, I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it. And to be honest, it's like that each time - the intense anticipation of that life-changing gooey, chocolate treat is like nothing else. It's cookie crack, I tell you.
The first thing to notice is its sheer size - the cookie is not only enormous but its width is mighty impressive. Although it's technically a cookie, it can pass for a little cake.
And that brings me to my next point, which is the texture. As soft as a cake on the inside with crunchy outside edges, the texture of a Levain creation is like a piece of art. Taking a bite will set your tastebuds on a joy ride, as you'll experience an intermingling of warm, rich flavor, coupled with a healthy crunch of a delicious, chunky walnut. Even though I'm not sure they serve it, a glass of lowfat milk is absolutely necessary as a postlude. I say lowfat because any more richness would be simply obscene.
Service and Cost:
Even though Levain is a no frills kind of bakery, the staff is friendly and very efficient at getting people in and out the door. I haven't had any complaints and thus far, have experienced really nice, personable service.
Costs are expensive, at $4 a cookie, but so worth every penny - especially if you split it with another dessert fiend.
Levain Bakery - 167 West 74th Street, New York NY 10023
212.874.6080
1/2/3 Train to 72nd Street
www.levainbakery.com
