The Black Hound Bakery in the East Village (blackhoundny.com). A-mazing delicacies. Seriously, these guys don't mess around. They'll apparently have these fabulous fall and winter cakes soon (how whimsical and merry-- cakes to celebrate seasons). At mention of this by his coworker, Ian gave a silent nod, murmuring that he would indeed be purchasing one the first day of their arrival. Of course I had to try a treat: I selected a checker board ball (the ones displayed on the right) and promptly devoured it in the subway station on the way to the L.