good dessert by 52nd st/6th ave?

[tinery]

Hey guys, I have friends visiting from upstate who want to meet for dinner and "experience real new york" so for dinner we're going to get chicken and rice. I was wondering if there are any really good places to pick up dessert (or possibly get a drink but I think we're more interested in dessert) in the area around Rockefeller center (not fancy). Thanks!

[tinery]

Thanks for all of the respones! Some of the places you guys mentioned seem a little out of my friends' price range (we're all poor med students). But right now on my list are Milk Bar, Minamoto, Magnolia, and Crumbs. So I'll see what they think.

I need to go to Bouchon and La Maison du Chocolat some other time when I can splurge on my own =)

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La Maison du Chocolat
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020

[michelleats]

A lot of great suggestions, here, but be forewarned that a lot of the Rock Ctr places close on the earlier side. I think Minamoto also closes around 7:30 most nights.

If you don't mind a short walk -- actually, you may want a walk after the chicken and rice platter :) -- walk west to Kyotofu for modern Japanese sweets. You could either sit down in the back, restaurant area to eat or the front bar area, or take your desserts to go. Prices are reasonable, many desserts are interesting, light and reasonably healthy, and they also have pretty good cocktails on offer.

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Kyotofu
705 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

[kathryn]

Magnolia at Rockefeller Center actually stays open fairly late. I think it's because it's on a street corner and not in the plaza itself. It's open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10pm every other night.

Magnolia Bakery, Rockefeller Center:
Monday - Thursday 7:00am-10:00pm
Friday 7:00am - 12:00am
Saturday 8:00am - 12:00am
Sunday 8:00am - 10:00pm

Momofuku Milk Bar hours:
mon-sat 8 am – 11 pm
sun 8am – 10pm

Minamoto hours (not sure about these, copied them from a random site):
Sun - Thu 10:00am - 7:30pm
Fri & Sat 10:00am - 8:00pm

Crumbs' (52nd/Bwy) hours:
Sunday: 10am - 9pm
Monday: 7am - 9pm
Tuesday: 7am - 9pm
Wednesday: 7am - 9pm
Thursday: 7am - 9pm
Friday: 7am - 10pm
Saturday: 10am - 10pm

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Minamoto Kitchoan
608 5th Ave, New York, NY 10020

Magnolia Bakery
1240 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Momofuku Milk Bar
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

Crumbs
1675 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

[uwsister]

Just wanted to say if you are concerned with budget, Minamoto is probably not a good choice. Their sweets are rather precious, one or two bites at most, so things can get quite pricey at the end. Not as much but same w/ Milk Bar - I like Milk Bar but I find their baked goods to be a tad bit overpriced. I think Milk Bar and Bouchon will cost about the same, then Minamoto and La Maison du Chocolat (pricier, obviously.)

I can't recommend Magnolia or Crumbs (especially Crumbs - I find them to be downright bad) so I'd probably spend a little more at Bouchon, Milk Bar, or Minamoto if it were my choice - but YMMV.

[kathryn]

Milk Bar items are big enough to split though, which may bring the cost down.

At Magnolia, skip the cupcakes and get some banana pudding or the ice box cake. The cupcakes are overrated IMO though visitors from out of town will probably want to try one.

[uwsister]

I would never share my crack pie! ;)

I second Magnolia's banana pudding and ice box cake. I used to like their caramel cake too, but the last piece was really dry.

[jester99]

i would go for La Maison and Bouchon and to add to that list, Milk Bar Midtown is right around that area too.

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Momofuku Milk Bar
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

[H Manning]

Jacques Torres, La Maison du Chocolat, Financier Patisserie and Bouchon have locations nearby. Not sure what time they close so you might want to pick up dessert before dinner.

For drinks and dessert, I would second the Modern Bar Room suggestion, Benoit and Ma Peche are also nearby. Marea also has a great bar and stellar desserts, though you probably should wear at least a nice dress shirt, nice jeans, and decent shoes since the restaurant is a bit fancy.

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La Maison du Chocolat
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020

Benoit
60 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019

Marea
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019

Ma Peche
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

Financier Patisserie
1211 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Jacques Torres
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112

Bouchon Bakery
1 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112

[uwsister]

The Bar Room at the Modern would be my first rec - but may be considered "fancy"? I think the atmosphere is pretty casual though. They have some of the best desserts in town - I haven't had a bad dessert there. Really high-quality and creative.

Another idea is Minamoto Kitchoan, which is a personal favorite. It's a Japanese wagashi/sweets store, everything exquisitely packaged and fresh and delicious. It's right around Rockefeller Center. No place to sit down and eat, but you guys are eating outdoors anyway?

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The Modern
9 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019

Minamoto Kitchoan
608 5th Ave, New York, NY 10020