I went to visit one of my all time favorite bakeries on Monday, Levain. I rarely go there because the line almost always goes halfway up the block. Monday was different though, because I got there around 10:15am.
First of all, when I got out of the subway station on 72nd and Broadway, I had the option of exiting to the left or to the right. I knew for sure I needed to go to 74th street so I exited to the left and walked a block up. Well, Monday happened to had been a really cloudy and rainy day, so I didn’t need to wear my sunglasses, that are prescription. And I finally realized I was walking in the wrong direction at about 10 feet from the street sign on the corner. I seriously hate when that happens. I feel like such an asshole, especially when you have to re-walk past all of the same people going in the opposite direction. My resolution to this embarrassment is to cross the street.
I began to blaze a new trail to Levain and am back where I started, on 72nd and Broadway, but facing the opposite direction. For some reason this confused me, perhaps because this is where Broadway and Amsterdam intersect and I cannot figure out which street I am actually on. I decided to cross straight ahead instead of diagonally and of course, chose the wrong avenue. Eventually, I made it to Levain, about 10 seconds before it started raining.
I was very lucky to have only been the fifth person on the line. I was still able to fit inside this teeny tiny bakery, though I had to stand on the very top step. As I’m making my way towards the counter, a group of 3 girls walk in behind me, and then to the side of me, and then off the steps and on the floor in front of me. I don’t like to start a confrontation with anyone unless I’m sure of their actions, so I kept my mouth shut while I watched them take pictures and giggle with each other. When I became next in line, they seemed to have recognized the concept of queueing and slid behind me.
It was a very nerve wracking situation having to decide what I was going to order. I alway get the oatmeal raisin cookie, which is incredible, but I really wanted to try the chocolate chip walnut too. Plus, the double chocolate chip is amazing. Since each Levain cookie is 8oz in size, I really didn’t need to buy one of each. I applied my failsafe rational thinking to the situation at hand, and decided to purchase six cookies, two of the three flavors. Makes sense, I’m going to eat one, so I should buy five extra cookies. Still attempting to use rationalization, I told myself that I’d bring them home to my parents so that we could each have a flavor we wanted. And obviously, I needed more than one of each flavor. What would happen if my mom and dad both wanted a double chocolate chip! I needed the extras!
About $24 later, I walked out of Levain and had a clear understanding as to where I was on this Earth and how to return to the subway station. Getting home was easy-peasy, minus the three pound bag of cookies I was schlepping along with me. Even getting back on the subway later in the day, and taking a train from Grand Central was effortless, aside from the three pound bag of cookies I was schlepping along with me and the other items I was bring with my to my parents house. All in all it was worth it and I believe my parent’s stomachs agree. I knew the whole rational thinking was right all along! Occasionally, I happen to be a very smart cookie!
I hate that you called yourself that ugly name which you really are not.
Ask your nana if you are a really smart cookie.
I’ll bet she’s lived long enough to know a really smart cookie when she sees one and I see one each and every time i look at you.
You really are a smart cookie.
I went to visit one of my all time favorite bakeries on Monday, Levain. I rarely go there because the line almost always goes halfway up the block. Monday was different though, because I got there around 10:15am.
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Amazing Cookies!! Thank you!!!
I hate that you called yourself that ugly name which you really are not.
Ask your nana if you are a really smart cookie.
I’ll bet she’s lived long enough to know a really smart cookie when she sees one and I see one each and every time i look at you.
You really are a smart cookie.