DISH OF THE WEEK: Anzac Bikkie at TAYLOR ST. BARISTAS

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

I meet a lot of Australians – probably more than most Americans. One of the things about Australians is that they travel a lot and on almost every tour I lead, I find there are at least two (often more). And we get to talking and over the years I have learned so much about Australian culture I feel like I should be an honorary Aussie.

One thing I have heard about (mostly on my food cart tours comparing it to a Belgian waffle) but never had the pleasure to taste was an Anzac Biscuit. I learned that these were first created for troops overseas during World War I as a cookie to travel the long distance and not spoil.

So when I saw something called an Anzac Bikkie at an Australian-run coffee shop in Midtown, I immediately knew what it was and what I had to do. I also knew that Bikkie is one of the common Australian abbreviations (this one for biscuit). They love to abbreviate everything – check out this video.

Taylor St. Baristas opened in Midtown a few years ago and sort of lays low in the NYC coffee scene. It’s the first US outpost of a London coffee company started by some Australian friends (they also take their coffee very seriously!!)

The coffee was as good as expected, but I was most excited about the Anzac cookie. I mean, I had waited all this time.

Now of course, while I have heard all about the cookie I had never tasted it so this could be the worst version out there, but if that’s the case, the other versions must be mind blowing. This version was both chewy in the center and quite crunchy all around.

It’s basically an oatmeal cookie but with the addition of golden syrup which gives it a distinct flavor. Golden syrup is kind of like a light molasses, but is made from beet sugar and has a very mellow caramel flavor. There were also chewy pieces of coconut throughout.

I waited so long to try this bikkie and I was not disappointed. Now when I have those conversations with the Aussies, I’ll have a bit of reference. Can’t yet talk about Vegemite as I haven’t tried it yet. That might have to wait a few more weeks. Price: $3.25