Doughnut Plant NYC, Chelsea

Every few weeks this year, we’ve been saying how much we want to head down to New York City for a little getaway. These comments would inevitably be followed by Oh, it’s so expensive…Oh, we don’t have the time, ad infinitum. Finally, last week we knew we just had to make something happen, or else we probably wouldn’t get the chance once summer break is over.

Normally, we bring snacks: some kind of trail mix, fruit, etc, but I must have had a few screws loose last Thursday and wound up bringing absolutely nothing in the way of free eats. (Oops). I did, however, bring a little piece of paper with some places to visit and their addresses. One of those places was Doughnut Plant NYC.

Remember the Krispy Kreme craze circa 2003? Don’t look at me like that! I remember the year because on my way home from my childcare job in 2003, I would stop at Krispy Kreme , even though I had to drive an extra exit past my house to get there. If I was lucky, the sign would be illuminated, secret code for super-nerdy fans like me to come in and get a free, freshly baked glazed doughnut.

(I may have gained a bit of weight while that Krispy Kreme was in business a few miles away from home. Don’t judge.)

Well. That shop eventually closed, and my doughnut addiction died down as well. I still love a good doughnut, but when your everyday options are limited to Dunkin’ Donuts, one learns to focus their sweet tooth elsewhere.

And now.

Now, darlings, Doughnut Plant has entered my life. Revelation! I wish I could remember which NYC blogger raved about these doughnuts, but oh my goodness, was she was right (Oh! It was Ashley!). These babies are better than pretty much every other doughnut in the world (I only state the facts, my friends).

We visited the Hotel Chelsea location and I squealed at the lack of long lines, which I’ve heard could be notorious. Which doughnut category to try? Yeast? Cake? Filled? We limited ourselves to just one, since I may have splurged on a vanilla latte at Grand Central upon our arrival to the city (but isn’t sipping overpriced coffee part of the NYC experience?).

Our pick, the coconut cream filled doughnut (square edition!), was simply scrumptious. What’s that Mary Poppins says? Practically perfect in every way.

There are more things to love about Doughnut Plant doughnuts besides their taste: everything is made fresh daily, using seasonal, fresh ingredients of the highest quality. Even their jams and fillings are made from scratch! I love it! The business has a lovely history, using the owner’s grandfather’s recipe, and Andy and I were tickled by the friendly service and overall atmosphere.

We sat right next to a woman who had just been hired, listening to the run-down from one of the managers. It was so much fun to overhear about the day-to-day minutiae of the business, and we got the impression that Doughnut Plant probably isn’t a bad place to work.

 When we finished snapping photos and had licked the last of the coconut from our fingers, we reluctantly left, with one last parting glance. The manager smiled and thanked us for coming, and we smiled in return, waving to the enthusiastic counter staff.

I can’t wait to go back and try more flavors.

What’s your favorite doughnut flavor? Do you have a favorite sweet treat you can’t resist? 

 

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Bagels and doughnuts…round food for every mood!   –Chandler, Friends