Serendipity: Destiny With Frozen Hot Chocolate

Serendipity 3, located in the Upper East Side, is a popular place for both residents and visitors. This delightful restaurant and sweet shop, begun in 1952, is tucked into a cozy brownstone a few steps away from Bloomingdale’s. The shop fills two floors and is uniquely decorated with Tiffany lamps, black-and-white floors, Victorian posters and other peculiar adornments. The intimate size of the restaurant means there may be a wait during meal times.

Luckily my fellow blogger and Hawaii transplant, Pencilpantz, had made reservations. We were immediately seated despite the line of people inside the shop. Pencilpantz has been in NYC gaining worldly experience during the past year all the while focusing on her next goal of going to graduate school at Berkeley on the West Coast next year.

For my entrée I opted for the Shepherd’s Pie ($16.50). The minced meat and vegetable dish smothered in mashed potatoes was not spectacular but definitely good to finish and left enough room for the main event: dessert. The names of some menu items are cutesy and adds to the fun of just reading the menu. Try the Steak Char Char, Chicken Not So Little Soup or the Bi-Sensual Burger.
To top off the meal was the shop’s signature Frozen Hot Chocolate ($8.50, pictured). It is a massive slushy version of the warm drink generously topped with whipped cream. Note to Pencilpantz, next time I'm gonna order two. The concoction is irresistible for those with a sweet tooth. Other dessert items such as the celestial carrot cake, dark double devil mousse and lemon icebox pie sounded equally delectable. Check out amazon.com for a home version of the Frozen Hot Chocolate and other Serendipity 3 products

The restaurant is perhaps more known to non-New Yorkers as a setting for the movie “Serendipity” (2002). Therefore I was thoroughly disappointed that Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack were nowhere to be found. I’m guessing that maybe they were dining upstairs. Nevertheless it is an engaging romantic film worth discussing in a future post for its use of NYC locations.

The restaurant is a fun place to eat for the family. Prices are reasonable but plan ahead by making reservations and be sure to save room for dessert. Before or afterwards, head over to Dylan’s Candy Bar (Lexington and 60th) to choose from their huge inventory for more sweets that you can take home. For us, Pencilpantz and I wished each other good night as I would begin my first night of marathon play going.

Serendipity 3 is opened Sun-Thu 11:30am-12midnight; Fri 11:30am-2am. The restaurant is located at 225 East 60th Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave in the Upper East Site. Reservations accepted. Main courses run about $7-$18; and the sweet stuff $5-$17. More info including a complete menu at www.serendipity3.com or calling 212-838-3531.