Alongside running her bakery ‘Cute as Cake’ in New York City, Stacy Donnelly has the enviable job of being the official pie consultant on Waitress, a Broadway musical that follows a waitress who dreams of using her pie-making talents to escape an unhappy marriage.

So what the heck is a ‘pie consultant’ and how does one acquire such a gig?  The musical’s producer hoped to give the show’s set, which resembles a small-town diner, an olfactory experience, so decided to introduce the smell of freshly baked pies into the theatre. The audience can smell it as they enter the house, while it bakes in the oven. Stacy’s role as ‘pie consultant’ involves baking the pies eaten in the show as well as those sold at the theatre. She’s also been providing tutoring on dough-kneading and one-handed egg cracking to the actors. Here, Stacy shares her best bites to enjoy while visiting New York City.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BugySxnnWno/

Dough Doughnuts – Flatiron District

Dough is a celebration of the beloved doughnut and is the brainchild of chef, Fany Gerson, who was inspired by her Mexican heritage to create a range of signature doughnuts that strike the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Popular flavors include blood orange, hibiscus and toasted coconut.

Murray’s Bagels – Chelsea

Bagels are a way of life in New York and Murray’s Bagels has become somewhat of an institution in the city that never sleeps. Making bagels the old fashioned way, Murray’s is the place to grab a bagel on the run. They offer a wide selection of traditional classic bagels such as pumpernickel and salt that can be filled with everything from smoked Nova lox, scallion schmear and pastrami.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtoSla4FpFY/

Gallagher’s Steakhouse – Midtown West

This classic New York Steakhouse has been around since the 1920’s and with a prime location in the heart of the theater district, it’s seen its fair share of Broadway icons and celebrities over the years. The décor is heavy with nostalgia and its walls are lined with black and white photos of celebrities and sports stars.

Gradisca – West Village

A visit to this family-run restaurant located in a brownstone in the heart of the West Village, is like stepping into a trattoria in the heart of Italy. The authentic Italian menu is in large part thanks to the owners mama who gets flown to New York City from Bologna several times a year so she can hand roll the pasta they’ve become famous for. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwsOKr-h0eq/

PJ Clarke’s – Lincoln Center

Known for it’s raw bar and comfort foods such as burgers and mac and cheese, PJ Clarke’s is a true New York establishment that has, in the opinion of Nat King Cole, the ‘Cadillac of burgers’! Established in 1884, it feels like a relic from a bygone era and has played host to a myriad of famous faces including Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly and Jackie Kennedy Onassis.