The first time I bit into a
Bespoke truffle , I was instantly smitten. But the first time I met Rachel Zoe Insler, I was wowed. She's got the smarts and talent of a chocolatier trained in London, but the cool down-to-earth vibe of someone who's passionate about the city and can cop to loving Tasti-D-Lite.
Growing up, my favorite sweet was: Honestly, I think I've always been a salty girl, but a quick call to my mother indicates that I had a serious thing for Baskin Robbins' bubble gum ice cream, which I received whenever she and I went to the laundromat together.
My favorite sweet now is: A mini coffee eclair purchased from a Parisian patisserie. It's one of the few sweet things I actually crave.
My personal Bespoke favorite: The Southampton tea truffle. I give the credit to the tea, which is so wonderfully aromatic. The good folks at Amai introduced me to it, and I've been using it ever since!
What I love about the East Village is: How dynamic my neighborhood is...which is 100% due to the people who live here and have set up small businesses here. Since I both live and work here, there are full weeks where I don't leave the East Village but want for literally nothing in terms of fun, food, drinks, entertainment or people-watching. Plus, it's close to Brooklyn, where so many of my friends have migrated!
Truffles or pralines: Truffles to make....pralines to eat!
White, milk or dark: Dark
Caramel, ganache or cream: Caramel....salted, if possible. Plus, sugar is so fascinating to the latent scientist in me.
The perfect pairing: A night off with my fianc and a bottle of red wine.
I'd love to create a flavor for: My mom. She doesn't really like chocolate, but I think if I make something with enough nuts and salt, I'll win her over!
Kitchen essentials: Spatula, ladle, palette knife and scraper. Induction burner and chocolate melter are non-essential but SO helpful!
Style essentials: I usually work in yoga pants and clogs, so I'm not all that stylish, but I have been loving my lavender bandanna from Montana Knox, my new neighbor on Extra Place. It's nice to cover my hair in style when I'm in the kitchen.
Chocolatiers I admire: My mentor, Keith Hurdman, and Kee Ling Tong, who is my one-woman-chocolate-shop-pioneer inspiration.
I'm most inspired when: I'm spending time with my amazing friends and family.
How much is too much? When the mail carrier you've never met tells you look exhausted....it's too much.
Favorite movie snack: Popcorn with copious amounts of salt and a "small" diet Coke that is about 36 oz.
Guilty pleasure: Tasti-D-Lite and Diet Coke. I try to eat only real food....but Tasti-D and DC are so fake and yet SO GOOD.
Other favorites: Music: Jack Johnson on a day off...nothing says "relaxation" like that; Gnocchi, eaten preferably in Italy; New York, Paris and Montalcino; the movies, Clueless & Clue.
The first time I bit into a Bespoke truffle , I was instantly smitten. But the first time I met Rachel Zoe Insler, I was wowed. She's got the smarts and talent of a chocolatier trained in London, but the cool down-to-earth vibe of someone who's passionate about the city and can cop to loving Tasti-D-Lite. Growing up, my favorite sweet was: Honestly, I think I've always been a salty girl, but a quick call to my mother indicates that I had a serious thing for Baskin Robbins' bubble gum ice cream, which I received whenever she and I went to the laundromat together. My favorite sweet now is: A mini coffee eclair purchased from a Parisian patisserie. It's one of the few sweet things I actually crave. My personal Bespoke favorite: The Southampton tea truffle. I give the credit to the tea, which is so wonderfully aromatic. The good folks at Amai introduced me to it, and I've been using it ever since! What I love about the East Village is: How dynamic my neighborhood is...which is 100% due to the people who live here and have set up small businesses here. Since I both live and work here, there are full weeks where I don't leave the East Village but want for literally nothing in terms of fun, food, drinks, entertainment or people-watching. Plus, it's close to Brooklyn, where so many of my friends have migrated! Truffles or pralines: Truffles to make....pralines to eat! White, milk or dark: Dark Caramel, ganache or cream: Caramel....salted, if possible. Plus, sugar is so fascinating to the latent scientist in me. The perfect pairing: A night off with my fianc and a bottle of red wine. I'd love to create a flavor for: My mom. She doesn't really like chocolate, but I think if I make something with enough nuts and salt, I'll win her over! Kitchen essentials: Spatula, ladle, palette knife and scraper. Induction burner and chocolate melter are non-essential but SO helpful! Style essentials: I usually work in yoga pants and clogs, so I'm not all that stylish, but I have been loving my lavender bandanna from Montana Knox, my new neighbor on Extra Place. It's nice to cover my hair in style when I'm in the kitchen. Chocolatiers I admire: My mentor, Keith Hurdman, and Kee Ling Tong, who is my one-woman-chocolate-shop-pioneer inspiration. I'm most inspired when: I'm spending time with my amazing friends and family. How much is too much? When the mail carrier you've never met tells you look exhausted....it's too much. Favorite movie snack: Popcorn with copious amounts of salt and a "small" diet Coke that is about 36 oz. Guilty pleasure: Tasti-D-Lite and Diet Coke. I try to eat only real food....but Tasti-D and DC are so fake and yet SO GOOD. Other favorites: Music: Jack Johnson on a day off...nothing says "relaxation" like that; Gnocchi, eaten preferably in Italy; New York, Paris and Montalcino; the movies, Clueless & Clue.
