"Bright, airy, and filled with plants and light wood accents, Tomoko feels a little like an extension of nearby McCarren Park, if McCarren Park served exquisite Japanese-French desserts. (Where are our tax dollars going?) The next time a mid-afternoon sugar craving hits, take yourself on a date to this Williamsburg pastry shop run by a Le Bernardin alum. You’ll find beautifully piped tarts, mochi, macarons, or maybe even a personal-sized pumpkin pie (one of our favorite treats here) in a glass case by the register. On Friday through Sunday, Tomoko also offers a three-course dessert prix fixe ($29.50), with recommended wine and tea pairings—your choices might include black sesame crème brûlée or hojicha chocolate souffle with sweet potato ice cream. The counter is reserved for prix-fixe diners, and seating is otherwise limited, so you might want to get your a la carte order to go and enjoy a sweet picnic. Even the takeaway boxes are precious here, printed with illustrated characters that look like they frolicked right out of a storybook. photo credit: Kate Previte Food Rundown Black Sesame Dacquoise If you get just one thing at Patisserie Tomoko, make it this. Two incredibly soft meringue cookies hug a luxurious black sesame creme (also available with yuzu and green tea filling). It’s like biting into a room-temperature ice cream sandwich. Yuzu Cheesecake Every spoonful of the creamy yuzu cheesecake is a hit of bright citrus sunshine, grounded by a bittersweet chocolate crumb crust. Chestnut Tart Rich but light, and not too sweet—we love how the chestnut cream pairs with the buttery, shortbread-y base." - Molly Fitzpatrick
