📍Ciao Gloria, New York City

Ciao Gloria is an Italian-inspired cafe and coffee shop. I've walked by a handful of times. Every time the line looked long or I was on my way elsewhere. This morning was not like those days. I was walking down to the subway near Barclays and I couldn't resist stepping in for a treat.

I see why it's been so busy the other times I considered it. With so many wonderful-looking options, it can be hard to choose. Every table inside was occupied. Some outside tables were busy too despite the wind and threat of rain. I wanted a cinnamon bun. I didn't want to carry the cinnamon bun back to my apartment. I figured I could get it another day. I got the Chocolate Chip Cookie instead, it fit in my jacket pocket.

I like a wide chocolate chip cookie. This one is baked to a satisfying buttery chew on the edges and a soft chew in the center. With each bite, the cookie got softer and chewier the closer to the center I got. The texture changes with each bite like a journey. The cookie had a light hint of caramel throughout, this tells me the cookie was baked at a higher temp.

The cookie itself was not overly sweet. Sugar is necessary to get the texture right but it wasn't fighting or masking the chocolate. I didn't ask but it tasted like there might have been some darker chocolate mixed in with milkier chocolate offering varying degrees of sweetness in the cookie.

I enjoyed this cookie. I owe it to myself to go back and try more things, especially that cinnamon roll.

If you enjoy reading these as much as I enjoy sharing them, please consider buying me a coffee. I might just write about it. ☕ Buy me a coffee.