A Good Cake Is Hard to Find (in Manhattan)

Leske’s Bakery To the Rescue

Cupcakes! Cupcakes! All I see are cupcakes! An old friend of mine and his fiance flew up all the way from Tennesee to elope in New York. After 8 years it was wonderful to catch up and finally meet his better half. Yesterday we met up at the NY Marriage Bureau located on Worth and Centre.

After a brief wait, the Justice of the Peace delivered the vows with enviable panache. He emphasized “if there is anyone here who objects,” pausing to look around the room to a response of many giggles. The newly married couple went off with the photographer for a few hours which gave my friend Amir and I ample time to find a cake. Finding a cake the day of is oddly difficult in Manhattan. Using Amir’s phone we came across many bakeries – from Crumbs, to Baked By Melissa, even Balthazar, none of which had cakes but cupcakes galore (and pastries). We were about to purchase a gigantic cupcake when J called and asked where we wanted to meet for dinner.

Amir suggested Park Slope. Back in Brooklyn We told the couple (J&J) that we’d meet them at Rice Thai an excellent restaurant located on 7th avenue between 8th and 9th. The fates helped by putting us on an express train. Leske’s had a beautiful strawberry shortcake available and the even wrote Congrats J&J for us. We arrived with enough time to pick up the cake, walk over to the restaurant and request they store the cake in the fridge.

We ordered individually. I got the drunken noodles with chicken which was delicious with just a touch of heat. I love the way those flat noodles trap in the heat. The couple got Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodles. Amir checked out the Seafood special which had a nice tang. He and I texted secretly to decide when the best time was to get the cake. I went to the bathroom and requested the waiter bring out the cake. The cake was a hit and they had plenty to bring back to the hotel on their first day of wedded bliss.