Best Pastry Shop?

Tribeca has Tribeca Treats, Duane Park Patisserie, and Bouley Bakery. Paris has La Patisserie des Reves?
Care to vote on your favorite?

'Tis the Season: Duane Park Patisserie

'Tis the season and I will be ordering my annual Plum Pudding from Duane Park Patisserie. I bring it to a friend's Christmas party in Brooklyn and I better not show up without it. Now if you're thinking "fruitcake", just stop right there. There is no comparison. This is a lush, moist concoction that would do Dickens proud. And of course it must be set aflame! The folks at the bakery will give you the instructions but here's how I do it: warm a 1/4 cup (or more) of brandy in a covered saucepan over a very low flame. Rum, whiskey or cognac will all substitute nicely. Pour the spirits over the cake, dim the lights and touch a lit match. You'll be rewarded with a lovely blue flame that will slowly die out (Who cares that your apartment doesn't have a wbf?). Serve it up with the hard sauce that Duane Park provides (I always order extra). Be warned: Caroling may ensue!

Shocking Confessions of a Sweet Tooth

If you can't be trusted to watch a plate of cookies or keep your fingers off the frosting, don't worry. You are not alone. Many of us can't resist the allure of something sweet. Take comfort in the confessions of a Tribeca Taste reader:

"I don't usually participate in the rumor mill, but…did you know that there's a respected educator who confesses to spending her entire Taste of Tribeca ticket at the Duane Park Patisserie Booth? If the kids only knew! I'm a fan of their hot chocolate. They steam up the thick, dark base in the latte steamer and it's so rich, you can almost chew it."

When You Need a Little Something...

Sometimes you just need a little something... Maybe you need to bring something for a party or a morning pick me up. If so, here are a couple of suggestions to help scratch that itch:

Duane Park Patisserie made the cutest cookies for Easter. What a hit with the family when we brought a box over!

Zucker's Bagels is a nice addition to the neighborhood. I always see a friendly face when I stop in to pick up a homemade yogurt or bagel with tuna. The coffee is good too.