You saw vegan chef Chloe Coscarelli win Food Network’s Cupcake Wars back in 2009. Now seven years, three cookbooks, and one uber successful vegan flagship restaurant in West Village later, she’s returning back to her roots with vegan bakery, Sweets by CHLOE. Opening its door just a week prior, the bakery has already garnered a solid following.
I ventured to Bleecker Street late afternoon on a Sunday with my best friend Chloe in tow (for humor purposes). Next door, Coscarrelli’s first by CHLOE restaurant was filled to capacity. Without an empty chair in sight, Chloe and I ducked in to order our vegan burger and fries to-go before moving on to the more important part, the dessert. This past year, by CHLOE has been joined with a second location in the Flatiron District, a third in Los Angeles, as well as an expansion to Soho and Boston coming soon.
After getting our order, we headed over to the bakery. For a space barely large enough to fit a couple of tables by the window, the tiny bakery still offers a staggering large selection. For sale is anything from a full layered cake, to matcha chocolate babkas, to push pops (check out the full menu here.) On one wall is a row of cards with puns like “You Wanna Piece of This?!” the other, a “You Batter Believe It!” neon lit sign. And just underneath that, three hot pink Swell bottles containing various milk alternatives. Per recommendation from a Sweets by CHLOE worker, we left with two cupcakes: PB&J and a classic Red Velvet. Toting our food to the nearby Washington Square Park, we ate on a bench watching the sunset.
The food was delicious. While I don’t think the burger and fries were 'convert-me-to-veganism' good, it was definitely 'check-out-more-on-menu' good. But this is all a given, judging by just the sheer amount of customers inside any By CHLOE.
But what about the cupcakes?!
The cupcakes were amazing.
The PB&J’s sweet frosting complimented it’s more neutral cake. And the Red Velvet’s moist texture got seemingly better with every bite. With these cupcakes (and I’m sure the rest of the selection), Chef Chloe proves once again that it can be done vegan and well. You’ll catch me there regularly from now on to try the rest of the menu.
But don’t take my word for it. Check out Sweets by CHLOE yourself at 185 Bleecker Street. Open Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM, Saturday to Sunday 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
