The block which houses this gourmet doughnut emporium may seem an unlikely and out-of-the-way choice of location, but the line stretching out the door on weekend mornings proves that the quality of the doughnuts here is well worth the trek.

A trip to Doughnut Plant is always bound to be unpredictable, since their flavors change daily, with the exception of a few standbys like crème brûlée ($3) and carrot cake (pictured above, $2.50). On a recent trip, I sampled both of these varieties and am now endlessly thankful that these will always be on the menu. Upon biting into each, my taste buds were treated to a little surprise. Bursting from inside the little puff that is the crème brûlée doughnut is a sinfully scrumptious burnt sugar-flavored cream with the essence of crème brûlée but the consistency of traditional doughnut cream fillings. But it’s the surprise lurking in the carrot cake doughnut that’s a true stroke of genius. My one qualm in purchasing this cake doughnut was the apparent lack of cream cheese frosting. Little did I know that it, along with a spattering of raisins, had been piped into the cake itself! It’s everything you love about carrot cake in a handheld, breakfast-friendly form.

Of the day’s rotating specials, I sampled the fluffier, yeast-based roasted chestnut doughnut, perfect for getting in the holiday spirit already permeating city streets and department stores. While the subtle flavor was indeed tasty, my one complaint is that it was slightly too subtle. Personally, I would have liked the doughnut to really go all the way with the flavor, as the crème brûlée and carrot cake did. That being said, it was by no means an ill-spent few dollars.

While you may not always be able to guarantee the availability of your favorite flavor at Doughnut Plant, what you can be sure of is a transcendently tasty breakfast at any time of day!

Posted by: Kim Partrick
Order: creme brulee, carrot cake, and roasted chestnut doughnuts
Price: $
Location: 379 Grand Street (at Norfolk)
Type of Food: Dessert
Veggie Friendly? Y
www.doughnutplant.com

via NYCgo.com

We take a break from our regularly scheduled restaurant reviews and deal posts today to look at a little Lower East Side gem I finally had a chance to visit this weekend. Economy Candy is a haven for all those seeking unusual treats, imported and old-fashioned goodies, and lots and lots of sweets (they sell in bulk, of course).

While my co-blogger runs there to get her Lion bar fix, I was excited to try the house chocolate (the s’mores bar was good, the almond bar better), yummy old-fashioned peanut butter cups, and Honees, milk and honey drops (a last-minute impulse purchase). Other goodies spotted include a four-pound gummy bear, giant Pixy Stix, violet chewing gum, and jars and jars full of every treat you can dream of (and others you can’t even imagine). Be sure to head down to Rivington next time you need your sugar fix!

Posted by: Nicole Price Fasig
Price: $
Location: 108 Rivington St. (between Ludlow St. and Essex St.)
Type of Food: Dessert
Veggie Friendly? Y
economycandy.com