Photo by StarChefs
More evidence that the East Village pretty much runs on sugar and butter these days (see Milk Bar, ChikaLicous, Sundaes and Cones, Lula’s Sweet Apothecary, et al) : Pastry chef Pichet Ong just opened Spot Dessert Bar on St. Marks, in a basement-level space that—contrary to its name—is a little hard to spot from the street. Worth keeping an eye out, though; you won’t find anything like Ong’s confections elsewhere in NYC. Recent home-runs: his Ovaltine ice cream, and the chocolate cupcakes with green tea frosting. Cupcaked out? Fair enough, but these pull their weight, with ultra-dense chocolatiness and luscious bits of apricot lurking inside. Also here: puddings to go, in flavors like huckleberry, Thai coffee, and macaroon. Here’s hoping Spot lasts longer than Ong’s ill-fated West Village dessert bar P’Ong. Coming soon: Ong hits up Nolita, when the Village Tart opens on Kenmare Street later this year.