Baltimore - June, 2019

On a visit to Baltimore in mid June, 2019, we were reminded of something we should have taken to heart long ago.  If you are serious about ferreting out boutique, elite donuts, do not expect to find any in the afternoon hours unless you are visiting a 24-hour donut emporium.  On a first—an ill-fated donut safari—we came up empty after trying to visit two spots. Alas, alack—that mistake will never be made again. 

But did that stop us? No!  We managed to get donuts from these places after all.

Donut Alliance

Web Site: Facebook

Address: 4311 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21214

Phone: 410-627-4597

              

Rating: 

When in search of the perfect donut, do not let be discouraged if you cannot get there within operating hours.  One of my donut buddies, Phyllis Segal-Denaburg, is a very successful business woman and marathon speed walker.  Who knew she was also an extraordinary donut locator and securer?  We had wanted to visit Donut Alliance in Baltimore.  It came highly rated.  But, we were quite distressed to discover that they have very limited hours—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 am – 2pm only.  These hours did not align with our Board meeting hours, so the laws of physics absolutely would not allow us to scope out this emporium in person.  However, Phyllis—being tenacious and quite dedicated to the cause—hired a LYFT driver to pick up 1-1/2 dozen of these beautiful and scrumptious delights (with one for the driver, of course).  I tasted a vanilla glazed Pride donut (rainbow sprinkles of course) and it was delicious.  We should all be allies of Donut Alliance.  Worth a trip.

Full Circle Artisan Palace

Web Site: None

Address: 3528 Chestnut Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211

Phone: None

              

Rating: 

We were so disappointed that we landed at the doorstep of Full Circle Artisan Palace after they had closed for the day.  Like many small, boutique donut shops, Full Circle advertises that its closing time is 3:00 pm or “when we sell out” – so when we arrived at 2:15, we were too late. Once again, Phyllis came through. Her tenacity and commitment truly paid off.  She went out of her way to return to Full Circle early Saturday morning with her donut-loving son in hand—both to document the donuts photographically and to taste them. Here is her report:

Delicious, light cakey donuts. Light as a yeast donut and cake like. Amazing innovative flavours-filled and glazed. I bought the sprinkle, the espresso and smore. And in true Safari style, lots of napkins and plastic forks.  I loved the shop, very cute and friendly. 

Thank you, Phyllis! 

New York City - June, 2019

Doughnut Plant

Web Site: doughnutplant.com

Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 (Grand Central Terminal)

Phone: 212-505-3700 ext. 112

              

Rating: 

Sometimes, you need to go back to a donutterie—either because it is just too scrumptious to miss or because you want to check out whether the vibe is different in another location.  In June, 2017 and then again in October, 2018 (with a guest blog in between by my donut buddie, Emma Silver), I visited Donut Plant in Manhattan and and reveled in the décor and delightful flavors. In June, 2019 I was in New York City and needed to satisfy a donut craving—so headed out to the Donut Plant kiosk in Grand Central Station with two donut-loving friends, including Emma.

While the real estate was different, the taste and appeal were exactly the same.  Donut Plant is one of the donut wonders of New York City and should not be missed.  Particularly fine this time around were the mini sky blue-iced donuts with the NY skyline and the mocha/chocolate.  If you are on the run in NYC, that’s no excuse to ignore your cravings for a donut.  Check out the Donut Plant’s kiosk in Grant Central Station.  You’ll be glad you did.