Fluff

mmmCupcake and I decided that V-Day is for adventures in eating. So, we ran down to the West Village for dinner. We were going to check out the Peanut Butter Company. It was rumored that they had amazing peanut butter milkshakes.

Now, after my pre-Valentine’s adventure with mmmFries, you’d think that I would have caught on that it is just a bad idea to go to eateries with a sweet theme around this confectionary holiday. But no.

The line was long. The staff was frazzled. Too many tables were reserved for nut-loving couples. mmmCupcakes and I almost nixed the whole outing when we saw the coupling catastrophe inside this perky shop. But, for you dear readers, we persevered.

Plus, I really wanted a peanut butter milkshake.

Deciding to seek a main course elsewhere, we got the fluffernutter milkshake to sustain us on our journey to find an alternative eatery. As a child of a New England raised mother, I am very familiar with fluff sandwiches. In fact, I was often the only kid at the Texas elementary school lunch table with this particular sandwich. So, the fluffernutter shake really took me back to the day when I saw peanut butter and fluff as a main course – and not an indulgent dessert.

The shake had a superb texture. It was smooth with the added silkiness of fluff. Despite its peanut butter base, the shake did not clog the straw – a major blending feat. I did not end up with peanut butter mouth (a la the Got Milk? commercials), but I’m sure mmmCupcakes noticed how quiet I got while enjoying this shake.

I highly recommend it!

The Bob

Through mmmCupcakes, I learned about the confectionary heaven that is Sugar Sweet Sunshine. While mmmCupcakes is really the expert on this joint with cheerful decor to match its perfect icing, I recently stopped on by when on the LES with mmmFries.

Now, it’s generally not a good idea to go to a bakery on the day before the Valentine’s celebrations begin. Especially if that bakery is doing V-day special deliveries. Despite the fact that the Sugar Sweet staff was overtaxed with cupcake creation, the service was still excellent. And I’ve never seen cupcake trays roll out (and disappear) so quickly. Sadly, though, my favorite cake – vanilla vanilla, or the sunshine – was not available. Because baking was in overtime to keep up with the sugary sweet holiday.

Sure, there were sunshine cupcakes in abundance. But if you are at Sugar Sweet Sunshine, I highly recommend getting a slice of cake. The cake is a chunk of perfectly balanced cake-and-icing goodness. Yum. And a cup of coffee. That really maximizes the experience.

Luckily, mmmCupcake’s particular fav, the Bob (vanilla cake, chocolate icing) was available. So mmmFries and I both got a slice. The last two, too! We soon feel into a pleasant sugar-induced food coma. Even at the end of the day, the Bob cake was not too dry and the icing wasn’t even crunchy (in that been sitting out too long way).

As always, Sugar Sweet Sunshine holds the key to my heart.

verygoodburger

Cupcake here with the low down on goodburger’s burger*, mmhmm. A burger can never be too good (or too better?), however cleverly labeled. Thankfully goodburger lives up to its name with their grilled-to-order patties of perfection.

When you take your first trip to goodburger and stride up to the counter, you’ll notice a very important sign in front of the register that lists the various toppings for your burger: pickles, “hand-leafed” lettuce, tomatoes, mustard, ketchup, mayo, and thin-sliced red onion. Don’t be shy: order “the Works” for all of these delectable additions. It’s delicious, I swear. (If you take issue with one of them, the mustard for instance, say “the Works without mustard, please” – always say please. You’ll get your food faster.)

Let’s get real about the beef: goodburger’s meat achieves the certain “bovine perfection” they advertise with window-wide silhouettes of smiling cows (which may or may not curb your appetite). I found the “medium” to be slightly more rare than I like, though the sheer juiciness of each bite quieted my resistance to a little blood. For the non-meat eater in your life: Mmmfries sampled the “all natural homemade” turkey burger–a satisfying patty with yellow and red pepper mixed in with spices and, um, turkey–and gleefully praised its distinct flavor.

goodburger uses white and yellow cheddar to accent their cheeseburgers. Undoubtedly, the most forgettable part is the bun. This slightly stale white bread, generic casing for my divinely scrumptious cheeseburger disappointed me (but not enough to leave a crumb behind). goodburger’s buns need a swift overhaul (that’s to you, CEO) if it wants to compete with the likes of Westville’s Portuguese roll or the firm-enough breads found at other hamburger stands.

They’re neatly packaged in a white wax paper sleeve with the goodburger logo on the outside. Though this was a cute touch, I more fondly appreciated the throw-back burger joint detail at Shake Shack when they first opened.

All in all, I’d say if you get a goodburger, you done good. Or well.

*The midtown goodburger is just as good, er, great! as the Union Square location. Try all four!

Chunky Satisfaction

On our inaguaral mmmfield trip, Fries, Cupcake, and I went to Good Burger (Union Square locale) to see if they, in fact, were serving up a few good burgers. Cupcake has more on that – but I’m here to talk milkshakes.

The Fudge Brownie Shake…How to describe this “bovine perfection”? Two words – chunkily satisfying. With a flavor strikingly similar to cookies and cream, the fudge brownie shake has a unique texture chew mixed in with its ice cream smoothness. mmmFries confirms it – this thick milkshake will make folks flock to the yard.

One important lesson I learned on this trip, though, is that mmmFries, mmmCupcake, and I really need to beef up on our Popeye trivia. The G-burg decor had us stumpled. It’s always Tuesday. Say what wall decal? Really, who knew the strip featured such a savvy hamburger conossieur, aka J. Wellington Wimpy? He sounds like a guy I could get a meal with…

The Itis

Oh my god! That park has the ITIS!

Upon visiting Magnolia’s downtown (and original) cupcake shop recently, this was my first thought when seeing the park across the street. It was littered with cupcake boxes, sheets of wax paper, cups containing the remnants of banana pudding, cupcake wrappers, half finished lattes…Perhaps delightful to pigeons, squirrels, rats, and other urban wildlife, but certainly not fair to the neighborhood residents who frequent this green space.

As someone who appreciates the joy of picnicking in a park with cupcakes and other treats, I can see that the temptation that this NYC park space poses for Magnolia’s customers. In fact, I may have even braved 20 degree weather to participate in such shennanigans. But I find it completely unacceptable when those enjoy these confectionary creations do not clean up after themselves. There are quite a few trash receptables in the park available for use; Magnolia’s packaging does not need to become litter. Further, the park and the cupcake-created remnants are clearly visible from the bakery. Why would this bakeshop not see the problem their product creates for local residents and take responsibility for encouraging patrons to dispose of litter responsibly – or even lend a hand in cleaning up after their disposal-challenged customers?

All I can say is – Magnolia’s customers – please, eat responsibly.