Doughnut Plant: Delicacies of the Pastry Kind

The Doughnut Plant on Grand Street (between Essex and Norfolk)
(photos: TheHopefulTraveler) 

As if the mere sight of the doughnuts wasn't enticing
enough, a sign outside heralds the shop's unique
doughnut flavors such as Orange Blossom Cashew.

Watching an episode of the television cooking competition series "Top Chef: Just Desserts" is where I first heard the name of baker Mark Isreal. When I learned he operated a popular and respected doughnut shop in New York City, the Doughnut Plant was on my radar for my next trip to Manhattan.

With a couple of nearby Metro stops, these delectable delights are within reach of any visitor to the city.  The shop is small so inside seating is at a premium. But that won't deter you after stepping inside or peeking through the windows. The scent of wholesome baked goods fills the air. Step in line and choose from a selection of cake and yeast doughnuts.

My choices for my first visit to the Doughnut Plant:

Chocolate Chip Cookie ($3.00)
A soft cake doughnut that imparts the straightforward flavors a
 chocolate chip cookie and doughnut. Soft cake is studded with
chocolate chips and pecans with more chocolate in the glaze
and the whole thing rolled in cookie dust.

Hazelnut Chocolate ($2.00)
Just one flavor of the shop's Doughseeds (mini, round-filled
doughnuts). Other flavors include Rose, Matcha Green Tea, Peanut
Butter & Blackberry Jam, Pistachio, Strawberry & Cream and
Wild Blueberry & Cream. These smaller yeast doughnuts
satisfies if you order just one or a dozen.

Coconut Creme ($3.25)
I love the flavor of coconut. These yeast doughnut are big and is
everything a doughnut should be: slightly crispy on the outside with
a flaky layer of glaze and filled with creamy goodness. You taste
more coconut than just something sweet. I ordered a second one
for the road.

Iced Latte ($4.30)
Mid-morning and a warm one at that. This cool concoction had the
light and refreshing flavor to pair with my trio of doughnuts.

Started in 1994, the Doughnut Plant moved from a Lower East Side tenement building in 2000 to its present location at 379 Grand Street (Metro Stops: Delancey [F] and Essex St [J,M]). Visit doughnutplant.com for more information. Open daily from 6:30am to 8:00pm. Cash only accepted. Another location at the Chelsea Hotel (220 West 23rd St, between 7th and 8th Avenues).

A very momentary lull inside the Doughnut Plant. Walk up the counter
and make your selection of yeast or cake doughnuts.

The seating even includes bright renderings of doughnuts.
(photos: TheHopefulTraveler)