[Photograph: Max Falkowitz]

Think about the Hungarian Pastry Shop and you're bound to think of strudel. But you may be better off with a couple of these Walnut Macaroons ($.85 each) instead. They're dense and rich but only lightly sweet compared to the average macaroon, and there's no mistaking the deep walnut flavor within the chewy crumb. Take a pair with your coffee and settle in with a good book: winter leisure at its best.

Hungarian Pastry Shop

1030 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10025 (map)
212-866-4230

About the author: Max Falkowitz is the editor of Serious Eats: New York. You can follow him on Twitter at @maxfalkowitz.