[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

The Adore has been around for awhile, and those familiar with this tiny French-Japanese tea salon/cafe/lunch spot tend to be loyal, myself included. All breakfast pastries and sweets are made in-house, and it's one of the few places in this city that offers a wide selection of Mariage Frerès tea. Come in the early afternoon and have a financier ($2.75), jumbo in size with a slight crunch at the exterior and tender all the way though. To stay or go, your choice, but if you choose to stay, pick that last table on the second floor with serene views and windows overlooking 12th Street. The best seat in the house.

In addition to ground almonds, The Adore's financiers are made with almond butter, resulting in an intensely nutty, buttery creation. Couple with Iced Mint Tea ($4), a summer-only specialty of cold brewed black tea and plenty of mint. Brisk, clean, and refreshing. Almost makes the summer heat bearable.

The Adore

17 E 13th Street, New York, NY 10003 (map)
212-243-8742

About the author: Originally from Honolulu, Kathy YL Chan writes A Passion For Food, where she chronicles her eats and travels adventures between Hawai'i, New York and beyond. She firmly believes that there is always room for dessert.