[Photograph: Kathy YL Chan]

Heaven? Oh yes. It's been awhile since I've come across a dessert this sumptuous. Three perfect quenelles of hojicha ice cream, made in-house at Kyo Ya in the East Village, is enough to induce sighs of bliss. I'm no stranger to hojicha ice cream, but this was something else entirely, the roasted, nutty notes, captured whole in frozen form. And to complete, a duo of kinako shortbread cookies. The shortbread rounds are no afterthought, but it was clearly the ice cream which stole the show. By the way, if I could afford to eat a dinner of this caliber every night, you would find me right here at Kyo Ya, at the bar. There is little more to ask for.

Kyo Ya

94 East 7th Street, New York NY 10009 (map)
212-982-4140