The move towards glamorizing doughnuts began on the dessert menus of trendy restaurants (see
Starr's Buddakan or Keller's Per Se), where chic and homey were meeting in unexpected ways. Just call it post-modern comfort food.
Soon after debuting as a dessert, these newly hip rounds migrated to the bakeries of NYC. The City's Doughnut Plant became the epicenter of the upscale doughnut (Dean & Deluca and Zabar's). The formerly humble "donut" could now be found covered in (Valrhona) ganache or a fresh blueberry glaze.
During a food crawl this past July, I happened upon an alleyway dive that I recognized as the recipient of Philly Magazine's "Best Doughnuts, 2004" award. Painted in bold-type above the entrance was the name of this glorified breakfast cart, Lil' Spot. I walked in hoping to see dougnuts of a different breed, but I found myself staring at the face of Dunkin Donut banality. I was bummed, but a winning taste could have revived my fleeting hope for a really good fried confection.
I chose a thick vanilla-glazed doughnut and a handful of these mini cinnamon donuts that reminded me of Linvilla Orchird's warm cider doughnuts. My hopes were quickly dashed with a bite into the ersatz vanilla-glaze; this is the kind of treat that gives real vanilla a bad name. Next I munched on one of the tiny cinnamon rings (see picture at top). Immediately I got the awkward sensation that I was eating a fried "Chinese pancake." Although the sweetness of the cinnamon and sugar were potent, the sides of my tongue detected sesame oil and a hint of soy. For an instant I took pleasure in this perverse Chinese-American confection, but the eerie aftertaste erased any further enjoyment. I'm glad I passed on the "regular" glazed version.
Until Philly can shake itself from its passé carb-phobia and embrace this fried ring of cholesterol (ouch, doughnuts need better PR), I am left with only one decent doughnut purveyor, the Amish.
How I crave gourmet doughnuts!
One final note: An apple-filled beignet, the holeless French doughnut, is available at Le Petit Mitron in Narberth. It may not be a true substitute, but a fresh, airy, and lightly-sugared beignet should please those unsatisfied with its American counterpart. Around Philly, it's as gourmet as it gets.
Location:
Lil' Spot: 103 S. Juniper St. (intersects with Drury St)
Le Petit Mitron: Directly across from Narberth train station (on vacation until September 7th, 2005)
Just found your blog, and am very grateful for the time and effort you've gone to here. Great writing style, very useful innfo. Thx for information. I hope you do not think I am invading but I must say it is great blog. I need to get back to my mission. Good day for All.
Posted by: Poker Ohne Einzahlung | January 18, 2012 at 05:09 AM
Hey, you have a great blog here! With good writing and Nice writing style, Keep up the good work. Nice for share this article. This is Really nice tutorial. That's one thing I'm really looking forward. I'm definitely going to bookmark you! Looking forward to reading more from you.
Posted by: Poker Pollyt | January 18, 2012 at 05:08 AM
Just found your blog, and am very grateful for the time and effort you've gone to here. Great and varied taste.
Posted by: Poker Pollyt | January 18, 2012 at 05:07 AM
This is Really nice tutorial. That's one thing I'm really looking forward. I'm definitely going to bookmark you! Looking forward to reading more from you.
Thanks for information and good day for You. Till next time.
Posted by: Poker 50 | January 18, 2012 at 05:07 AM
This is Really nice tutorial. That's one thing I'm really looking forward. I'm definitely going to bookmark A Lil' Spot with poor results! Looking forward to reading more from you.
Thanks for information and good day for You. Till next time.
Posted by: Poker 50 | January 18, 2012 at 05:06 AM
It's only a minor stuff. It will pass very fast.
Posted by: click here | May 26, 2011 at 06:41 AM
In a recommendation. You should add a score system to give a general idea that how it is that place and if it deserves your hard earned money.
Posted by: Generic Viagra | March 23, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Wow, its so realistic.Thanks for your great post.
Posted by: Well known site | January 24, 2011 at 01:23 PM
I hear that only the smaller donuts are the ones made in house at Lil' Spot. We thought they were pretty good (having tried cinnamon, glazed, and ones with sprinkles) but unfortunately the place is closed on weekends. The cinnamon ones at Beiler's are tops, though. Be sure to try an apple fritter there, too!
Posted by: Ken | July 13, 2010 at 06:32 PM
I was bummed, but a winning taste could have revived my fleeting hope for a really good fried confection.
Posted by: childhood obesity statistics | June 30, 2010 at 10:20 PM
I have an allergy to quinine. It was discovered by accident when I
was a toddler. I was given tonic water and reacted with a rash. My
skin has always been sensitive and reactive to certain foods. It
wasn't until recently that I read about quinine-like substances in
certain fruits, such as grapefruit. My question is, what other foods
have compounds with a similar chemical structure to quinine? Thanks
kindly for your help.
Posted by: viagra online | April 27, 2010 at 12:52 PM
I hear that only the smaller donuts are the ones made in house at Lil' Spot. We thought they were pretty good (having tried cinnamon, glazed, and ones with sprinkles) but unfortunately the place is closed on weekends. The cinnamon ones at Beiler's are tops, though. Be sure to try an apple fritter there, too!
Posted by: Bluehensfan | August 18, 2005 at 08:07 AM