Podcast Summary: "Your Favorite 'Little Treat' in NYC"

All Of It with Alison Stewart – WNYC
Date: November 6, 2025

Main Theme

This lively episode of All Of It explores the concept of "little treats"—small, affordable snacks or experiences that offer quick, joyful pick-me-ups in the day. Host Alison Stewart interviews Nikita Richardson, editor for the New York Times Food Section and creator of the Where to Eat newsletter, about the new NYT list featuring 46 favorite little treats in New York City. The conversation includes listener call-ins, memorable food descriptions, and a celebration of NYC's diverse snackscape and what "treat culture" means today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining "Little Treats"

Timestamps: 01:59–04:56

• Nikita Richardson establishes a working definition:

  • "A little treat is usually $20 or under… You can get it on the fly… You're going to finish it right then and there." (Nikita, 02:01)
  • The nature of little treats: no reservation required, typically immediate enjoyment, and rooted in comfort.
  • Broadening the definition to include savory snacks, not just sweets.

• Social and cultural context:

  • The trend has become more pronounced as people seek small pleasures in tough times ("it's extremely hard to kind of make it right now for everyone… Food is such a source of comfort…" Nikita, 02:48–03:50).
  • The influence of TV ("Treat yo self" from Parks & Rec), and Gen Z's “little treat” culture.

2. Listener Favorites: Community Call-In

Timestamps: 08:07–26:37

• The phone lines open to New Yorkers and neighboring area residents, who enthusiastically share their favorite little treats:
  • Chocolate Cake & Tea at Alice’s Teacup – "The most rich, decadent chocolate cake. And then a cup of tea just washes it down perfectly." (Dana, 08:22)
  • Ginger Cookies at Clementine & Oatmeal Raisin Cookie at Daily Provisions – "I don't go a day without my sweet treat. You guys validated me. I'm so happy." (Emily, 09:14)
  • Warm Rugelach from Lee Lee’s Bakery – "Every chance I get, I get some." (Sheila, 10:02)
  • Banana Bread at Anti Co & More Vegan/Gluten-Free Options – Celebrating inclusivity and variety (Rachel, 13:19).
  • Convenient Treats from Street Stands – "When I need a sweet treat… whatever kiosk, little like street stand is there… Kit Kat or Snickers because it hits immediately…" (Dominique, 14:00)
  • Pistachio Cannoli at Fortunato Brothers – A taste of Brooklyn that draws expatriates back (Natalie, 15:03).
  • Cheese Curds at Rosemary in Brooklyn – "The best cheese curds I've ever had in my life… with a blackened olive ranch that is so tangy that it just cuts through the fat." (Nikita, 17:37)
  • Other highlights: Vietnamese egg custard coffee at Larry’s Cafe, brown sugar and pear lattes at Rhythm Zero, ube cake at Buttercup Bakery, and roast pork buns at Mei Laiwa in Chinatown.

3. Expanding the "Little Treat" Concept

Timestamps: 04:03–11:48, 21:41–22:16

• Not confined to sweet or even food alone—some cited “sneaky snacks,” onigiri (Japanese rice balls), street hot dogs, or savory skewers as their go-to treats.
• Emphasis on accessibility and variety: “It kind of defies the logic of the sweet treat to be in a line sometimes… I think it should be immediate. The more accessible, the better.” (Nikita, 11:07)

4. Noteworthy NYC Spots

Timestamps: 06:02–07:30, 11:48–13:09, 17:37–23:18, 25:44–27:06

• Kellogg’s Diner’s Passion Fruit Tajin Icebox Pie in Williamsburg: A favorite for its unique flavors and open-24/7 status.
• Culture Espresso’s Cookies: A go-to for NYT staffers, especially the chocolate chip and corn cookies.
• Rosemary (Brooklyn): Cheese curds with blackened olive ranch.
• Larry’s Cafe: For Vietnamese egg custard coffee.
• Little Red Kitchen: Cinnamon roll praised by listeners.
• Rhythm Zero in Greenpoint: Brown sugar and pear latte.
• Make My Cake: Red velvet cake layered with cheesecake.
• Au Merveilleux de Fred: "All you smell is butter. It's heaven." (Kit, 25:34)

5. Observations on Treat Culture

Timestamps: 27:06–28:49

• Addressing criticism that “little treat culture” is overly focused on sharing/recording instead of simply enjoying ("…it's anything small businesses need, that they're going to share it… This segment is a testament to the sharing of it all.” Nikita, 27:31–28:08).
• The importance of supporting local businesses and sharing affordable joys, both online and offline.

6. Memorable Quotes & Funny Moments

• Nikita on sweet tooth origins: “My mom ate a cinnamon bun every day she was pregnant with me, which explains why I am who I am.” (Nikita, 04:03)
• Listener Emily, celebrating her daily indulgence: “You guys validated me. I'm so happy because my girlfriends always tease me… We gotta stop. It's Emily's time. And now I'm real and I'm live, so I'm very happy.” (Emily, 09:14)
• Nikita, on treat accessibility: "The more accessible, the better… I like to save the lines for really special occasions…" (Nikita, 11:07)
• Basil on favorite cakes: "You think you've had red velvet cake. I know you do. You haven't." (Basil, 20:34)
• Nikita, on NYC’s diversity: “I think that everyone should be able to walk into a shop, sit down for a slice of pie and a coffee… and just let the day wash away.” (Nikita, 28:17)
• Summing up NYC: “It literally… made you think, like, I live in the greatest city in the world that there are this many options.” (Alison, 21:56)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• 01:59 — Nikita Richardson defines a "little treat"
• 03:50 — Societal context: why little treats matter now
• 06:02 — Kellogg’s Diner Pie description
• 08:07–23:02 — Listener calls: favorite little treats around NYC and NJ
• 11:07 — Treats and bakery lines: experience versus immediacy
• 13:19 — Vegan/gluten-free options recommended
• 17:37 — Where to find cheese curds in NYC
• 21:41 — Savory and non-sweet treats: onigiri, roast pork buns
• 27:06 — Criticism of "little treat culture," Nikita’s response
• 28:17 — Final recommendations and segment wrap-up

Tone & Style

The conversation is enthusiastic, communal, and mouthwatering, blending food nerdery with genuine New York pride and warmth.

• Nikita and Alison frequently riff on NYC’s unparalleled food variety, peppering their conversation with humorous asides, personal anecdotes, and passionate foodie recommendations.
• The call-in segment is lively, filled with caller recommendations and spontaneous joy.

Notable Quotes (with Attribution & Timestamps)

• "[A little treat is] $20 or under… You can get it on the fly… You're going to finish it right then and there."
  — Nikita Richardson, 02:01

• "Food is such a source of comfort for all of us. And I think, like, that was kind of at the heart of what we were trying to do with this story…"
  — Nikita Richardson, 03:50

• "You guys validated me. I'm so happy because my girlfriends always tease me… We gotta stop. It's Emily's time. And now I'm real and I'm live, so I'm very happy."
  — Emily (caller), 09:14

• "You think you've had red velvet cake. I know you do. You haven't."
  — Basil (caller), 20:34

• "The more accessible, the better… I like to save the lines for really special occasions…"
  — Nikita Richardson, 11:07

• "We're all looking to share these small pleasures that we have, and we want to share them with one another."
  — Nikita Richardson, 27:31

Summary Table: Sample Little Treats & Spots

| Treat | Location (Neighborhood) | Suggested By | |------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------| | Passion Fruit Tajin Icebox Pie | Kellogg’s Diner, Williamsburg | Nikita | | Chocolate Chip/Corn Cookies | Culture Espresso, Midtown | NYT Food Sect. | | Ginger Cookie & Cappuccino | Clementine, Tribeca | Emily (caller) | | Chocolate Cake & Tea | Alice’s Teacup, Upper West Side| Dana (caller) | | Warm Rugelach | Lee Lee’s Bakery, Harlem | Sheila (caller) | | Pistachio Cannoli | Fortunato Brothers, Brooklyn | Natalie (caller)| | Cheese Curds with Blackened Olive Ranch | Rosemary, Brooklyn | Nikita | | Roast Pork Buns (cha siu bao) | Mei Laiwa, Chinatown | Alex (caller) | | Cinnamon Roll (Vegan/GF) | Bub’s Bakery, Manhattan | Nikita | | Ube Cake | Buttercup Bake Shop, Midtown | Basil (caller) |

Closing

The episode is a celebration of NYC’s food landscape—a tour of the city's affordable pleasures, from its classic cakes and cookies to its most innovative and diverse snack offerings. The tone is communal, joyful, and validating; an invitation for everyone, resident or visitor, to indulge in their own "little treat" and savor the variety that New York City has to offer.

Listen for food inspiration, snack recommendations, and the shared delight in the small joys that make city living delicious.