Levain Bakery. Location: Upper West Side. 74th St. and Amsterdam. Scene: Tiny Bakery. Food: Cookies. Cinnamon Buns. Brioche. Bread.

Chek Recs:

1. Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie (above).
2. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookie (above)

I am confident and excited to announce that Levain Bakery is my absolute FAVORITE place in New York or really the entire world. No one can top these massive, six-ounce, chocolate chip cookie monsters which overflow with gooey chocolate morsels and dough. There are four flavors: Chocolate Chip Walnut, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin. All cookies are crafted flawlessly and each bite breaks carefully into your mouth slapping a permanent smile on your face. These precious goods are pretty unbelievable, and every bite is over-the-top delicious and better than the next. You’ll need a moment of silence to take in the outrageous cookie bomb after you consume. Also, attention nut-haters: don’t worry about the walnuts, they don’t harm the cookie. If you live in New York City and haven’t been to Levain, you have basically committed a sin. You will not taste anything better than Levain Bakery cookies! 

***Treat: Believe it or not co-founders Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes created the cookie recipe while training for an Ironman because they needed  something high in calories. Well, sounds good to me!

Other locations: East Hamptons and Harlem. Plus UPS shipping is available.