cherrypatter nyc
and great ideas for what to do too!
interview: made by molly
i’m so excited to have molly killeen’s recommendations for food and shopping in new york city, not only because it’s so interesting to see where a great baker loves to eat but also because she brings a much needed queens perspective to cherrypatter. as the woman behind made by molly, molly makes the most delicious coconut dream bars and last week i was thrilled to see her featured in the new york times by melissa clark for her st. louis gooey butter cake. molly, who had been the pastry chef at amy’s bread for nearly nine years, treks out to park slope every sunday with her husband and her adorable son to sell her goodies at our local farmers’ market. we are lucky to have her.
thanks so much molly for fitting us into your crazy busy schedule, and for inspiring our family to spend this past sunday in long island city and astoria checking out your favorite haunts. i especially loved that great little sweetleaf cafe and so we’ll be back in your hood soon.
shops:
top places for clothes?
anthropologie. the woolens and tweeds at brora, a scottish company (wait for the sales!), and the frye boot company, which has well-made leather shoes with great hardware in addition to their boot selection.
go to place for house gifts?
sarabeth’s blood orange marmalade with a jar of clotted cream, or a trio of sarabeth’s jams with homemade biscuits or scones.
favorite place for stationery?
i love the selection of blank colored cards and envelopes in kate’s paperie (pictured above). you can cut the edges of the cards yourself with scalloped scissors, and decorate with stickers or hole punches. the color range is incredible.
kids gifts?
i can get lost for hours in the schoolastic store in soho looking at their books and toys. it’s really hard to choose. but for gifts i usually turn to my mother’s company, shamrock quilts (). she and my aunt sew beautiful baby quilts, doll clothes, tiny pillows and little stuffed animals from a 1930′s pattern. they make kitty purses and handpainted wooden pull toys. every time i go home i “shop” in my mom’s stock!
for your mum or other women in your life?
cath kidston has everything a girl could want. beautiful fabrics, home decor, clothes, bags and miscellany. unfortunately their new york store closed so i visit them in ireland or england. they do have a website but the shipping is exorbitant.
what about the dad/husband/partner like person in your life?
for men i often go to molton brown for their jars of scrumptiously scented, multicolored soaps and lotions, or to the conran shop, which is chock full of interesting gifts.
wedding present ideas?
my favorite baking books, like once upon a tart or the sweeter side of amy’s bread.
where do you go for you?
vintage sewing patterns at the blue gardenia, or tuberose perfume from jo malone.
favorite shop – ambiance, service, stuff?
definitely anthropologie. i love the comfortable dressing rooms with great light and mirrors, and the open return policy. they almost always have something i covet.
favorite neighborhood place?
i love vintage furniture/homewares shops. two great ones are (pictured up top), which has shops on ditmars and vernon boulevards, and stray on skillman avenue.
food
favorite date night restaurant?
tournesol (pictured above) in long island city is a cozy french bistro full of golden light. it’s always abuzz but feels intimate.
with friends?
il bambino in astoria. the back garden is great, and the paninis, crostinis, soups and salads are made with a master’s touch. don’t miss the smoky tomato soup on saturdays.
for drinks?
lic bar in long island city. it’s dark, comfortable, and stylish with great paninis and sometimes bbq if you’re hungry.
favorite dish for dinner and where?
the eggplant parmesan or lasagna from in astoria.
best dessert?
i love ice cream. my favorite cone is a mix of hazelnut and dulce de leche from cones on bleecker street.
for breakfast or brunch?
sage general store on jackson avenue by courthouse square. on the weekends they make sourdough brunch pizzas in their wood-fired oven (note: call before you go though as they weren’t open this past sunday for some reason).
best latin american, asian, other?
i love the peruvian food at pio pio on northern boulevard and 83rd street. there are several manhattan and bronx locations, too. the food is simple but excellent (roast chicken, rice and beans, tostones, sangria) and the atmosphere is always joyful and fun. j.j.’s fusion kitchen and sushi bar on 31st ave in astoria has fresh, delicious sushi and japanese food. mavi, a turkish restaurant at 42-03 queens boulevard in sunnyside is unfailingly good. the food is surprisingly delicious in an unpretentious atmosphere.
favorite neighborhood spot?
seva on 34 street just south of 30th avenue in astoria. i feel kind of bad because i always order the same things, but the lamb spring rolls, chicken tikka masala and chana saag are so good that i can’t branch out. i crave these dishes at least once a week.
best coffee? best pastry?
sweet leaf cafe on jackson avenue in lic. cute little storefront with an 1800s feel serving perfectly brewed stumptown coffee. i love the dessert case at the on 34th avenue in astoria. i usually get flan, but they have dozens of choices like sugar dusted donuts filled with dulce de leche or towering fruit filled cakes topped with whipped cream.
your craving?
the irish sausages and bacon at the butcher block on 41st street north of queens boulevard. you have to cook it yourself, but their meats beat the many irish breakfasts i’ve had in ireland.