With Halloween upon us, spooky vibes are in the brisk air. In New York City, people are preparing for the upcoming holiday with creative treats and cocktails. This city definitely has a sense of humor when it comes to fall foodstuffs! Check out these New York restaurants and find yourself both spooked and satisfied:
Dylan’s Candy Bar
Across from Bloomingdales at 60th Street, this two-level store offers sensational and seasonal candy to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Dylan’s Candy Bar has two locations, but only this one has a sit-down café on the second floor filled with whimsical cupcakes, savory apps, ice cream specials and creative candy cocktails like the Pop Rocks Explosion, Espresso Yourself and Butter Believe It.
For a grown-up spooky treat, try The Toasted Marshmallow cocktail that embodies the chocolatey marshmallow flavors of a s’more with a graham cracker crust rim, vanilla and whipped vodkas and Godiva caramel, with toasted marshmallows bobbing along the top of the glass. This smoky sweet treat is an autumnal campfire treat in a martini glass. 1011 3rd Ave., (646) 735-0078
Magnolia Bakery
Magnolia Bakery is the spooky cake master! This iconic bakery has several locations around Manhattan offering fun fall treats. For seasonal flair, sample your way through the selection of sweet cupcake confections with innovative toppings (think sugared cranberries, pumpkin pieces, raisins, pecans, apple bits and salted caramel). Try the harvest apple, s’mores, carrot cake and devil’s mocha. Muffins, scones, bread and cakes that capture the Halloween spirit are available at all Magnolia Bakeries. Locations throughout Manhattan
Beetle House NYC
This goth bar in the East Village is loosely based on Tim Burton’s cinematic spookiness and, as you might imagine, it goes big on all things horror and Halloween, including custom-made savory treats, potions and elixirs. Pick your poison: the Coco Skellington, Bio-Exorcism, This is Halloween! and the Beetle’s Juice cocktails all boast a creep-tastic slant. The food menu includes the disconcerting disclaimer, “ALL MEAT SOURCED LOCALLY FROM 100% INNOCENT HUMANS CAPTURED WILD ON THE STREETS OF NYC.” 308 E. 6th St.
Baked by Melissa
With treat boxes full of bite-size macarons, cookies and cupcakes from this local chain, your Halloween is sure to scare up a good time. Treats like mini pumpkins, eyeballs and ghosts in electric tie-dye, brownie batter flavor, chocolate caramel and Bavarian cream flavors make for boo-tiful baked delights. 13 locations throughout New York and New Jersey
Cipriani Dolci
Located in Midtown under the grand skies of the Grand Central Station concourse, this charming Italian café offers top-notch drinks and eats. In staying with the fall theme, a top-requested cocktail is the Masaryk: white tequila, grapefruit and lemon juices meld with cinnamon-infused sugar syrup. 89 E. 42nd St., (212) 973-0999
What is your favorite fall treat? If you find yourself in Manhattan, stop by any of these places for a seasonal taste of spooky fall!
- Photos: Christine Tarlecki
