THE SPOT: I love Partybus. This is a true local neighborhood bakery where Jacqueline, the owner and baker, is more often than not behind the counter and sweating in the kitchen. She started the business across the street at the Hester Street Fair from a bus her friends coined “the partybus.” The “party” in the bakery is certainly more chill than you might expect, as locals stop by for incredible pastries and sandwiches. They used to also make pizzas, but they seem to be on hold at the moment. This is also one of the few modern bakeries that also makes a black and white.
THE BLACK: Not pitch black like many industrial bakeries, this frosting is smooth with some actual notes of chocolate.
THE WHITE: The white is not spread terribly evenly and is on the sweeter side, but you can see and taste flecks of real vanilla throughout.
THE COOKIE: This is super browned and much closer to an actual cookie than any other black and white I’ve had before, which is usually more like a cake. The pastry is crumbly and buttery and a very well-made hefty base for the frosting on top. With little imperfections, you can tell each cookie is handmade and feels almost like a friend created it. It might not be as nostalgic as you’d expect, but that might actually be a good thing when it comes to the often maligned black and white.
THE RATING: 8.5 out of 10 from me for being a real cookie and its homemade blemishes are what add to its charm (and deliciousness). Sam probably wishes this came out of our own oven since he rated it a whopping 9.5.
| PARTYBUS BAKESHOP |
| 31 Essex Street (between Hester and Grand Street), Lower East Side (917) 262-0732 |
| partybusbakeshop.com |
