[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

This could be breakfast, lunch, or dessert. I prefer it in the afternoon, with a cup of hot tea. I'm not a big fan of the ice cream at Van Leeuwen, but the waffles are incredible. Each one is made to order (they only have one waffle iron; for quick service, best to order this on a weekday), each one a huge round that takes up the entire plate. It has crisp edges and surface, a fluffy interior that releases steam with that first cut.

They do a few variations but the Caramel-Banana Waffle ($9.50) is my favorite. Warm toasted walnuts, an easy flowing, salty-sweet caramel with just a bit of smokiness, sliced bananas, and an impressive mountain of whipped cream. Sometimes I ask for the whipped cream on the side so that it doesn't melt too quickly. Capture a bit of everything in each bite, hard to go wrong.

Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream

48 1/2 East 7th Street, New York NY 10003 (map)
vanleeuwenicecream.com

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