Now, I was as confused yesterday as you must be now, for I never considered "delightful" and "magical" to be words that would describe anything directly or indirectly related to Russia, a country and people I more typically associate with death, unhappiness, Vladimir Putin, and the color black. Yet I tell you the truth, Cafe La Brioche is a special place.
As I walked in I was filled with a rush of excitement as my senses were bombarded with various hues of brown and tan from the breads and pastries, whites and yellows from various creams, jewel-like reds and blues from jelly and fruit toppings, and, of course, the most fantastic aromas! Indeed, I felt like Scrooge McDuck from Duck Tales diving into a giant room of gold coins and diamonds.
Cafe La Brioche is a place that just feels different. Of course, it is not entirely strange in New York to step inside a place that feels as if it belongs in another time or place, but in all my adventures I had never experienced a place like this before. There were breads, cakes, pastries, cream puffs, strudels, cookies, and Putin knows what else everywhere. Was I supposed to just start grabbing stuff? That cake over there - should I just grab a hunk with my bare hands and spread it all over my face like lotion?
I was in a bit of a hurry, so I took two things that seemed easy. One was a variation of a whoopie pie: a not too sweet cookie which tasted of whole grains, and a pumpkin-spiced cream cheese frosting. I also had a most unusual and excellent wafer cake that was filled with a delicious chocolate and honey syrup.
Further investigations are warranted, but what a cheerful, happy place.
Cafe La Brioche
Brighton Beach Ave, Brooklyn
