When the November chill sets in, not all good things come to an end. So long as pumpkins are harvested each fall, there will always be an abundance of pumpkin treats waiting to be devoured when the cool weather rolls around. Thankfully, Morningside Heights is endowed with a few talented chefs who incorporate this ubiquitous fruit into classic recipes.
Pumpkin bread may be found on virtually every street corner, but it is rarely worth a second bite. Camille’s (116th and Amsterdam), on the other hand, is worth countless bites. At $1.75 per slice, it serves by far the moistest pumpkin bread in the neighborhood, infused with chunks of walnut for a slightly nutty flavor in every other bite. Ordering an entire loaf is tempting.
If walnuts don’t strike your fancy, head to Westside Market for the pumpkin bread loaves sold by the salad bar. Instead of being made in the market, these are baked by Lauren’s Homemade Cakes on 555 Riverside Dr. (A 6-inch-long loaf is $4.99.) Though not as moist as Camille’s slices, these are equally as fluffy and absolutely delicious when warmed in the microwave.
Silver Moon Bakery (105th and Broadway) offers a couple of treats that should not be missed. Resembling the quintessential neighborhood bakery, with large windows displaying bakers kneading dough and decorating cakes, this gem whips up unforgettable pumpkin macaroons ($1.75 each). Two soft, orange macaroon cookies sandwich a dollop of sweet pumpkin cream—a tiny yet decadent treat. The pumpkin tart ($5.75), served in small, individual sizes, is decorated with a single pecan sitting atop a glossy surface. The smooth texture and thin crust suggest a rather light, subtly sweet dessert.
As for entrees, the house pumpkin ravioli at Community Food & Juice proves that the restaurant has made a fierce comeback from the fire that kept it out of business for the last few months. Six large, tender raviolis stuffed with roasted pumpkin and butternut squash in sage brown butter sauce are garnished with Parmesan cheese and small, toasted pumpkin seeds. Pricier than the average ravioli dish, this seasonal addition to the menu is definitely worth $18.
Although dusk may arrive earlier and the piercing autumn wind may be bitter, perhaps it’s a small price to pay for the food that comes with the season. Besides, extra layers will surely hide the aftermath.
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