If ever there was a place that lived up to the hype, this is it. Dominique Ansel Bakery has been around for a long time, and not to pat myself on the back or anything, but I’ve been a fan since the very beginning. Of course Chef Ansel is best known for the famed and much imitated Cronut, and it is a good pastry, but for my money, there are better things at the bakery. The DKA is not to be missed, nor are the pillowy soft, lemon scented madeleines – fired off while you wait so you can eat them warm. The chocolate chip cookie is to die for, and I get their pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving every year (and I don’t even LIKE pumpkin pie!). Just so good.