Martha Frances Mississippi Cheesecake, New York City

We came here as the night was starting to wind down from yet another successful VT evening. A small hole-in-the-wall place with what amounted to seating areas for 3 groups of little more than four. I didnt eat here but it looked fantastic and the others raved of it. I will come back some time.

It does offer a nice selection of cakes and other baked goods and they are fresh and tasty (and expensive). But the owner is quirky on a good day and rude on a bad. I've lived in the area awhile and only used to go a lot because there isn't much else to choose from bakery-wise in the general vicinity. (there are better cafes/bakeries now, even the chain Le Pain Quotidien on Madison) But she has a rabid cult following for her cheesecakes, so it's just my apparently sole opinion that she's distracting enough to make me go elsewhere. If you are bringing guests to sit in, know that you're at the mercy of her mood. The plus side, is she always seems to be running out the door for something, like milk. So the hours are random b/c she's out a lot. It's a small space with a broken door (annoying in winter) and you'll end up listening to the owner's odes to her dog Rambo or how the chef across the street had to close because he was a drunk or about her latest date. Maybe that's the southern charm? I'm not sure, but not good for a romantic coffee stop. Also she's fussy if you only order beverages and will push a dessert order even when you're the only one there. I think it's worth taking the trip downtown or over to the UWS for a romantic or simply more pleasant evening rather than go here, but again the desserts are overall good and if you just get in and get out, you'll be fine.

Favorite Dish: People rave about the cheesecake.

A mind- boggling selection of the most delectable cakes, pies, and dessert offerings in all of Manhattan, all lovingly preserved recipes of a Mississippi Momma, whose daughter presents them with pride and passion. The Red Velvet cake is a wonderful mystery of moist, flavorful cake in the smoothest white, creamy icing you could possibly imagine...the pies, cakes, and cookies all have voices of their own, and each one calls out to you to be sampled ! Don't mis a chance to try a slice or a whole creation, either there with coffee or espresso or cappuccino, or to take home carefully & securely boxed. A true treasure !

Favorite Dish: You simply cannot make a bad choice here.
Everything is hand-made and spectacular, and the prices are quite reasonable, especially for Manhattan.