Believe it or not, temperatures in the Big Apple rose to the mid-fifties on Saturday!  And, to add insult to injury, it was sunny.  Not a single cloud in the sky (...post an early a.m. rainstorm, that is).  It was the kind of day that we typically don't see until mid-April.  Amazing.

After taking a ballet class together, Dara and I walked over to Stick & Pop, a "cake pop bakery" in Chelsea, for a much-needed sugar fix.  After all, I've been a devout cake pop'r ever since my first bite of Momofuku Milk Bar's "b'day cake truffle."  Oh, and let's not forget to mention the "birthday cake pop" at Starbucks. 

Holy cake balls!   

Left to right: "The Lunchbox" - Peanut butter cake with raspberry swirl dipped in peanut butter shell with raspberry drizzle / "Johnny Cakes" - Peanut butter cake dipped in dark chocolate, covered in pretzel and sea salt.A look inside "The Lunchbox," peanut butter cake with raspberry swirl dipped in peanut butter shell with raspberry drizzle.A look inside of the "Johnny Cakes," peanut butter cake dipped in dark chocolate, covered in pretzel and sea salt. Dara and I simply could not pass up sampling the two delicious peanut butter varieties on the menu.  There are, however, nine other flavors!  Click here to check them out.

Stick & Pop is located at 233 W. 19th Street (btwn 7th & 8th Avenues) in NYC

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On Saturday night, I attended the New York Junior League's annual Winter Ball.  Held at the gorgeous Pierre Hotel, everything - from the decor, service, food, music, ball gowns, and auction...to the overall flow of the event - was picture-perfect and on point.

NYJL Winter Ball 2012: a view from my seat at the dinner table

Congratulations to my dear friend - and Winter Ball chair - Emily! Job well done!~

On Sunday's only, there are a handful of Mexican street carts - selling art and food - perched in front of the Young Designer's Market, at 328 W. 14th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues).  One particular food cart, called "La Poblanita," is my personal favorite (...though I'm a bit biased, as I've not tried the other carts.  La Poblanita's food is too worthy!).  Every Sunday, you will find me here - with $2.50 in hand - to purchase one of La Poblanita's outrageously delicious pork gorditas.  The gordita's shell is handmade - sometimes, even while you wait - and deep fried on-location.  The interior of the shell is smeared with fresh crema and stuffed with chunks of pork, lettuce, pico de gallo, radish nibs, and topped with cotija cheese.  Plastic 'squeeze bottles' filled with homemade salsa verde and guacamole are on-hand for guests to personalize their individual gorditas/tacos.

Best $2.50 I've ever spent and, without a doubt, a treat that I look forward to all week. 

GET. HERE. NOW.  The cart has the words "La Poblanita" written on its right frame/wall. 

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Until we eat again,

The Lunch Belle