Every now and then, when I’m procrastinating on writing, I’ll update this with some favorite things and places. Feel free to share recommendations!
Bakeries (US)
Bagels & Schmear (NYC) – everything bagels!!!
Best Bagel (NYC) – even though it’s in Midtown, their bagels really are great
Chiu Quon (Chicago) – red bean pineapple bun, sponge cake (Da Ban was my favorite but they’ve closed!)
Court St Bagels (NYC) – all bagels, bagel sandwiches
Downtime Bakery (Philadelphia) – sourdough bagels and all their baked goods…don’t skip their cookies!
Edgar’s (Birmingham) – the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had
Floriole (Chicago) – cheesecake mousse (I’ve only had this once, but it was so good!)
La Cabra (NYC) – croissants, cardamom bun
Little Grace Bakery (NYC) – Basque cheesecake
Little Blue Owl Bakery (Philly area) – all laminated pastries and canelé (if they have it, the Korean garlic croissant is spectacular)
Ovenly (NYC) – alas, they seem to have closed, but I loved their pistachio cardamom bread and peanut butter cookies
Bakeries (International)
Chia Te 佳德 (Taipei) – pineapple cakes
Forn Fortino (Barcelona) – all of their breads
JONCAKE (Barcelona) – touristy, but their cheesecakes truly were top-notch!
La Violeta (Santiago) – chocolate truffles
Luna y Wanda (Madrid) – cheesecake
Origo (Barcelona) – cardamom buns
In Pomaire, Chile, there was a man selling alfajores near the main bus stop. They were the best alfajores I’ve ever had. I don’t know if he is still there, but if he is and you go, I hope you get a dozen of them.
Santo Bakehouse (Madrid) – canelé and any bread!
Yu Jan Shin 裕珍馨 (Taipei) – taro cakes, butter pastries
Literary Magazines
Brink – so well-made, full-color on matte paper, every issue has a theme and feels like a collectible book
The Dial – includes many translations and features great journalism too
The London Magazine – the poems they publish are consistently stunning
Only Poems – they are really engaged in the literary community, offering helpful advice and opportunities in addition to the wonderful online publication they run
Paranoid Tree Press – bringing back art and whimsy and true coolness in their zines, available through snail mail ❤
The Rumpus – they are my definition of indie in the best way, really kind and community-focused with poems, interviews, reviews you want to read
The Sun – not the tabloid, but a great mag with a huge audience and thoughtful editors
Yolk – they look so cool! great work and looks like an excellent print publication too
Winshen Liu 