Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Co.

Om Nomz Hero Note to Self: You can never have enough peppercorns

Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company has an interesting history. It is not because of the stuff they are selling but it is actually the space they are occupying. Before it was transformed into a gourmet tea and spice shop, it was originally the Triangle Social Club, a stronghold for the mafia back in the knee-capping and cement shoes days. Showing how much New York has changed, what was once a spot for illegal activity is now a place where you can pick up a couple of ounces of a nice proprietary blend of an English breakfast tea. Plus Starbucks is apparently the new place for illegal activity and espionage because caramel frappes are the perfect drink to have while committing high treason.

Not only do I like eating, I do like cooking and stuff because it is fun, tasty, a required life skill and an easy way to impress girls. I am always on the lookout for spices and although I am not a avid hardcore tea drinker, I do like tea and I am also on the look out for new teas. Walking into the Sullivan Street Tea & Spice I am reminded of an apothecary and I have the sudden urge to make a potion of some sort. The walls and shelves are just lined with jars of spices and teas. The space is open and the walls are white making it comfortable as you browse through the jars. The store is basically split down the middle and half the store is teas and the half the store is spices. They have a good range of spices that range on the basics and a surprising amount of whole peppercorns. Not only do they have spices but they have spice blends such as jerk seasons or Herb de Provence which I picked up an ounce of. Their Herb de Provence blend is fragrant and robust and would be a great addition to a rub or as i used it on foccaccia. They have a good selection of salts which is something I did not really get a good look at but when I need a salt refill I will most definitely come here in restocking salt.

The tea selections is ample and not only do they blends and your basics, they have a selection of floral teas such as hibiscus and chrysanthemum tea. They are more than eager to help you out and answer any questions you might have. The spices and teas as sold by the ounce, which mean that you can buy as much or as little as you want and not be stuck with 10 ounces of dried parsley, I mean seriously McCormick, how much parsley does one person need?

Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company

208 Sullivan St 

New York, NY 10012 

Donut Quest Part Tres: Dough and Brindle Room

Om Nomz Hero Note to Self: Having a ex-dope head with a heavy Staten Island accent loudly telling the whole subway car her life story will most certainly wake you up

Colorful, Fresh, Tasty Donuts!

The Donut Quest continues! I am still in search and finding the best donut places that New York has to offer and on this quest, there are new places that are opening up and two of the newest and notable are the donuts at the Brindle Room and Dough in Clinton Hill Brooklyn. 

Dough Brooklyn Open Kitchen

First up are the donuts at Dough in Brooklyn. Even before I went to Dough, I already had high expectations and just had the feeling it was going to be good. It is like going to see a Jason Statham movie, even before you go and watch it; you know it is going to be hilarious for all the wrong reasons. But in the case of Dough, the founder Fany Gerson already has a solid reputation working in top pastry kitchens and running La New Yorkina. Her book, My Sweet Mexico is one of my favorite baking books and enlightened me on Latin American sweets and expanding my knowledge beyond churros and tres leche cakes. Dough is located in Clinton Hill right at the corner of Lafayette and Franklin Ave.

Dough Brooklyn, only indication of donut goodness

There is no real signage just a little banner in the window with the name of the place and can be easily overlooked. Except for a few counter side seats, this is mainly a takeout place which is not a big deal because donuts are the ultimate handheld treats. This is not a Baskin Robbins but there is a good amount of donut flavors to choose from and they are all neatly and proudly displayed in the front. All the donuts that they make here are yeast based donuts so if you wanted a cake donut, you are out of luck. They also had donuts holes that also looked good, but I did not get a chance to try them and will have to get them next time. They have the classics like vanilla, chocolate and sprinkles but they stay true to their Brooklyn roots, conjuring up seasonal and local flavors that they are making using the best and freshest ingredients. 

Donuts after the Jump!