Dorothy Y.
Yelp
I've walked by this place multiple times on my way to Raku and I recall seeing social media posts about it, so I finally went to try it when I was in Soho. I'm definitely impressed by the simple refinement of their execution. It looks like a cutesy little place but it actually encapsulates so much effort. "Hype" doesn't feel like the right word to describe this. It's too elegant to be plastered all over social media with exaggerated facial reactions and getting messy with it.
I wouldn't say I like everything I ate, but I'd want to buy from here again. If you order single cookies ($7), they give a separate box per cookie. If you order a box of four, it's slightly cheaper ($26). Certain flavors cost extra.
I know a lot of people dislike their price, but considering their flavor and ingredients and execution and presentation and packaging, I think it needs to cost this much as well. Don't compare it with a $3 cookie, because it's not.
Their single cookie packaging is a sturdy box that comes in muted pinks, beiges, grays and such. I think the quad box is only one color, off white.
It's definitely extra, but I think it represents an elevated experience from just a $3 cookie. It would be great for gift giving or a special occasion.
Their cookies are palm sized, thick, soft (not crumbly and not necessarily chewy), with a pool of shiny ganache-like substance. They're all sized in perfect circles with perfectly circular pool of ganache. When you think about how uneven cookies or cupcake frosting can get (not in a demeaning way, just an observation of what is common), it's quite hard to reach this neatness.
I like the texture. It doesn't feel oily (but the box absorbs some oil) or cakey or sticky in my mouth/teeth. It's still soft even after being out in room temperature for four days (they only recommend three and putting it in the freezer if need to keep longer). I've noticed the cookie part underneath the ganache looks wet/denser than the edges. It's not obvious when you eat it but you can see it if you cut through to that part. I can't really taste the denseness, so this is tolerable.
I ordered a quad to try more: original, midnight, matcha, hojicha
Original
I like the texture of the walnuts and the abundance of coarse sea salt, but the ganache was a bit too sweet.
Midnight
This is my family's favorite. The black sesame is rich without being oily or bitter. The dark chocolate pairs well with the earthiness and color tone is match.
Matcha
This was a disappointment. The ganache was too sweet with the white chocolate base and the matcha tasted weak.
Hojicha
This is ok if you aren't expecting hojicha. I tasted no tea at all. Hazelnut flavor was more apparent. The piece of candy melt on top is orange flavor and the only one out of the ones I ordered with a piece on top. I forgot what the ganache looked like underneath, but the candy piece helps a lot with keeping the cookie look neat.
Overall this place isn't perfect but I admire it.