The black and white is a soft cakey disc, half lemon-vanilla fondant and half chocolate, sold by the deli register. A bakery-counter staple across New York City since the 1900s.
Where to eat it: 4 restaurants across 1 city.
Glaser's Bake Shop on Yorkville's First Avenue claimed the cookie's American origin in 1902, though Hutch's in Utica argued for earlier dates. The form (a cakey domed disc finished with two contrasting fondant glazes) became a New York-borough delicatessen standard by the 1950s, sold from the same glass-front case as charlotte russe and rugelach. Jerry Seinfeld's 1994 stand-up routine, the 'look to the cookie' bit, sealed its national identity. Glaser's closed in 2018 after 116 years; William Greenberg Desserts on Madison Avenue (since 1946) remains the canonical bake. The cookie name in Boston is 'half-moon'; in New York it stays black and white.
Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Eggs
Tip from the editors. Flat side up is the New York convention. Some bakeries glaze the domed side; the deli counters do it flat for stacking.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
William Greenberg Desserts on Madison Avenue has baked the canonical black-and-white in the Upper East Side, New York City since 1946. Schnecken, hamantaschen, Linzer.
Tip: Order black-and-whites in the bigger six-inch size. Pre-order schnecken at Rosh Hashanah; they sell out a week ahead.
Worth the queue: Black-and-white cookie
Levain Bakery has baked the six-ounce chocolate chip walnut cookie in the Upper West Side, New York City since 1995. Two-tray racks, lines around the block.
Tip: The original Upper West Side basement counter has the shortest line at 17:00. Heat one for ten seconds in your hotel microwave.
Worth the queue: Chocolate chip walnut cookie
Russ & Daughters has slung appetising on East Houston in New York City since 1914: hand-sliced smoked salmon, sturgeon, schmaltz herring and bagels to take home.
Signature: New York bagel, Smoked salmon platter
Order: The Classic: Gaspe Nova lox, cream cheese, tomato, onion, capers on a poppy bagel.
Tip: The shop is for take-away. Sit down at Russ & Daughters Cafe around the corner on Orchard for table service.
Zabar's on Broadway has anchored Upper West Side appetising in New York City since 1934. Sliced lox, sturgeon, fresh-baked babka, and a famously argumentative counter.
Tip: Take a number at the appetising counter the moment you walk in; the bakery side has no number system.
Worth the queue: Black-and-white cookies, babka
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