Haute 5 Comfort Foods in New York: The Feasting Time of Year is Here

The holidays are a time of frantic frenzy for last minute gifts, hustle and bustle in the Fifth Avenue crowds, and capping the day’s events by snuggling with friends to warm toes by the fire. From quick-fix food remedies for the holiday panic, to goodies even a holiday party hostess with the most particular palate will adore, Haute Living has 5 comfort food categories to satisfy the crave and bring it home.

Hot Chocolate
Visions of swirling hot cocoa and soft billowing marshmallows will calm, relax and warm even
the weariest of souls. With locations scattered across the city,

Mariebelle is a convenient decadent treat. European made with water or American with Milk, house favorites are “Aztec” and “the Spicy,” which arrives in a steamy effervescence of Nutmeg and Cinnamon.

A stroll past the holiday lights and a spin on the ice rink at Bryant Park isn’t complete without a
polished stop at Lily O’Brien Irish Chocolate Cafe. Hang your Bauers at the door and indulge in a secret recipe calling for 100% Belgian chocolate carefully melted at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and a heavy whisking and fresh topping of whipped cream, marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate flakes.

For a trip the whole family will enjoy, Jacques Torres at 350 Hudson Street offers a near modern-day Willy Wonka adventure. Transforming cocoa beans into chocolate bars before your eyes, Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven is a world of childhood dreams coming true.

Gingerbread Houses and Decadent S’mores
Follow the breadcrumbs for a gingerbread affair with Pastry Chef Jen Yee at Charlie Palmer’s
Aureole. Chocolate Gingerbread Dessert is made with sweet chestnut, cranberry and roasted
pear. It wouldn’t be a surprise to find Hansel and Gretel far behind.

Manhattan’s well known Tuscan eatery located in Gramercy,

Beppe, serves an ultra-luxe S’more. A coconut-graham cracker crust is baked, covered in a Valhrona chocolate ganache, delightful homemade marshmallow, and then broiled until charred and bubbling. Finished with a healthy serving of homemade cinnamon gelato and a swirl of extra chocolate sauce, it’s a tried and true comfort dessert as a menu hot seller for 8 years running.

Icing on That Cake
Sweet revenge offers holiday spirit with an edge-Sweet, drink and be merry cupcake pairings.
With unions such as their signature Sweet Revenge cupcake and an Argentian Malbec or German Weihenstephaner, they offer a unique experience for a cocktail hour sugar rush.

Desserts by Tawny Ong offers Red Velvet Cupcakes fit for the holiday express to the queen of
hearts. Formerly of Magnolia, the native New York baker offers a selection of delectable treats
from fine ingredients like Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, organic eggs, and fresh milk. Their
company philosophy to make you grin with holiday cheer? “Cupcakes tend to put smiles on
people’s faces. And that’s what I love about baking them.”

Bring the Beef
Just in time for the holidays, this comfort delight is only served in black truffle season from late
December to the end of March. The DB “Royale” double truffle burger by Celebrity chef Daniel
Bouloud is a classic luxury treat for the carnivore at heart and found at DB Bistro Moderne.

Across the street from the festive Rockefeller Center, the double eagle steak house Del Frisco’s, offers home hospitality and a passion for perfectly prime aged, corn-fed beef straight from the fields of the Midwest to your table with a view. It is located for a luxurious meal post visiting the tree and the Radio City Rockettes. Don’t forget to bring the black card.

Truffle Mac and Cheese
If hunger pains call for a comfort food of opulence, the all-time classic mac and cheese may be
just the remedy. Prepared by chef John DeLucia of New York Waverly Inn & Garden, and topped with shavings of $1,900 a pound truffles, the dish is not for the price-tag weary and will run about $45 to $95 a serving.

Restaurant Marc Forgione, who recently earned a Michelin star in the 2010 Guide for Chef
Forgione’s culinary work, presents a truffle mac and cheese that leaves mom’s big K blue box in
the dust. With dinner options such as Bell & Evans Chicken Under a Brick, Smashed Yukon
Potatoes, complete with Pan Drippings, the Tribeca spot brings it beyond home for the holidays.