[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

Visually speaking, these dusty little shortbread squares aren't the most attractive baked goods behind the glass pastry case at Stumptown in the Ace Hotel. They sit next to bowls of cake truffles and a wide assortment of big round cookies and colorful tarts. But looks aren't everything, especially in the case of these heady and bold shortbread cookies. They're baked by Ovenly, priced at $2.50 apiece, and go by the name "Stumptown Shorty." It's more crumbly than crisp, with little caramelized pockets of burnt sugar throughout. A fun little twist and a perfect pairing that serves only to heighten the intensity of the espresso.

Stumptown at the Ace Hotel

20 West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001 (map)
212-679-2222
stumptowncoffee.com

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.