Comments (1) Best Bakery - 2009
Salty Tart
With all that the Midtown Global Market has to offer in the way of sweets, it might seem surprising that relative newcomer Salty Tart consistently has a crowd gazing through its glass cases. That is, until you realize James Beard Award nominee Michelle Gayer, whose desserts can be found at La Belle Vie, is behind this bustling, buttercream-laden bakery. Customers debate whether to buy stacks of perfectly rounded macaroons or the enormous flaky croissants to take home while eating large oatmeal/chocolate chip/sour cherry cookies on the spot. Ignore those who say cupcakes have gone the way of bacon as a food trend and order the white-chocolate lemon cupcake, top-heavy with sweet shavings that are balanced by a core of lemon curd that smarts on the tongue. And be sure to bring some of Gayer's glory home with you. Her rich take-and-bake Valrhona chocolate brownies can secretly be passed off as your own.
