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D'aiuto Baby Watson Cheesecake
- Nearest Transit:
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34 St - Penn Station (A, C, E)
28 St (1, 2)
34 St - Penn Station (1, 2, 3)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 4:30 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
58 reviews for D'aiuto Baby Watson Cheesecake
Review Highlights
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"The place has a wide variety of cookies (yum." In 12 reviews -
"Their apple fritter is awesome." In 4 reviews -
"It's an old school pastry shop located." In 4 reviews
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58 reviews in English
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Review from Janeen B.
Manhattan, NY
5/14/2012
I'm gonna save you a lot of time here...
Get the Cheesecake.
Get the Cheesecake and ONLY the Cheesecake.
Everything else taste like poo...
However, the Cheesecake is one of the best in the city. A little denser than Junior's, but more flavorful.
Seriously. Just get the Cheesecake here. Everything else might look good, but I'm telling you now....ONLY GET THE CHEESECAKE.Listed in: May Challenge!
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Review from Rita Y.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2012
We stumbled on this small, old shop while walking to the Highline. I had hoped to retry their cheesecake after a family member brought home one of their cheesecakes from NYC years ago.
So, while walking down this street, I spotted the name and told Hubby I had to go get a slice even 'tho it was 10AM in the morning and I was going to eat dessert!
I liked their plain cheesecake more than Jr's. but it's not as good as I remembered it decades ago. The place had 2 young women working there and the place looked run-down. They had a picture of Baby Watson, which used to adorn their boxes. Yup, it's the Baby Watson Cheesecake.
Another customer ahead of me had purchased some pastry, took a bite outside the store & spit it out and charged back in & I heard him thump it down on the counter. Must've been stale but really no need to throw a hissy fit like that, just get a refund, Mister.Listed in: Stomping Around NYC
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Review from Alexandra C.
New York, NY
4/3/2012
Yeah the Baby Watson cheesecake is gooood!
I love this old school bakery. The only other item I've tried was their delicious chocolate italian ice.
Will definitely return! -
Review from Louis L.
New York, NY
5/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Lavazza coffee is only $1. Get the polish danish thingy! No need for starbucks if your close to this place and its been there over 80years!
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Review from Atif I.
2/12/2012 1 photo
There's always the exception to the rule.
I've had a simple rule about places that toot their own horn: "best pizza/cake in New York/world" - avoid them like the plague. This rule has worked out just fine in avoiding establishments where the hype exceeds the reality, and which are mostly tourist traps.
I've also followed a 30 minute rule to not consuming desserts I've purchased. Experience has taught me that these need time to come to terms with the reality of the room.
Further, I've also believed that: "in crust we trust", is a worthy ideal to live up to.
D'aiuto breaks all three rules while delivering a superior experience. I honestly can't say that theirs is the best cheesecake in town, let alone on earth. However, I've never had a better refrigerated cheesecake than I've had from here. One that makes you feel like a celebrity. No, really: the Celebrity Cheesecake, with no crust, and topped with a layer of chocolate mousse that is coated with chocolate ganache tastes like no other cheesecake when served out of the refrigerator. The first time I tried it, it was straight from their freezer and tasted like ice cream cheese cake, but letting it thaw in the refrigerator (not room temperature), I could barely stop licking the knife I was using to cut the creamy slices out of it!
I've also gotten a cannolo from here, which had ricotta cream freshly piped in, and dusted with copious confectioner's sugar that helped my friends figure out, without any CSI kit, what I had been up to. I've also ordered cheesecake slices (pumpkin, brownie), and the "Baby Watson" cheesecake (coated in caramel) that have only been competent at best.
So, while you don't need to miss your train while rushing out of Penn Station for the rest, truly there's no shame in being a celebrity whore here. This would be the exception to the rule. -
Review from Marijke W.
3/17/2012
I had my doubts... I'm going to be honest. Cheesecake without the crust? I mean, yes, in your average store-bought cheesecake, the crust is never worth it, but in a bakery? I expected it. But, it was truly delicious. Very thick, rich and completely worth having to deal with Penn Station at rush hour. I had a slice with turtle flavour (for the uninitiated: chocolate, caramel and pecans) and my mother had something with fruit on it. Utterly delicious. I'd have it again if I was in NYC. It does live up to its name unlike so many things touting that they're the best.
My only gripe is that you can't really sit. Just carry it out and eat somewhere else. But this is a bakery, not a cafe, so what was I expecting? :) -
Review from John R.
New York, NY
3/25/2012
Quick, easy, and delicious. The red velvet cheesecake was delicious - and they were nice enough to write a happy birthday message for our friend while we were there - in nice handwriting :) Prices were good too - all under $30 (initially tried to get a cake from a diner....$65 at the stage door diner....no thanks). Definitely recommend this place.
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Review from Steven W.
9/15/2011
3.5 stars--Solid bakery if you live in, or are staying in the neighborhood.
My daughter and I tried the Celebrity cheesecake (ganache topped) milk chocolate/regular cheesecake mix (I think), some rugelach and a hamentashen.
The cheesecake and rugelach were 4 star good, while the hamentashen, while huge was 2 star dry and flavorless.
I wouldn't go out of my way for D'aiuto's, but if circumstances were right, I wouldn't hesitate to go back and get more cheesecake and rugelach. -
Review from Danielle W.
San Diego, CA
9/17/2011
This is probably the best original cheesecake I have ever had. I was lucky and used to live a block away from the old location in Hell's Kitchen. If all they sold was original cheesecake this place would have 5 stars from me but they also sell flavored cheesecakes and other bakery items like cookies and such. I have tried a variety of their cookies which are pretty good and most of their flavored cheesecakes which are good but do not compare to the plain original cheesecake this is why I had to deduct 1 star.
The cheesecake is very creamy and the perfect balance of sweet to tartness. It is classic New York style. They sell these by the slice as well as in a mini size and a full size. For me 1 slice isn't enough so I usually opt for the mini size so I don't overindulge too much. Since I no longer live in NYC I make this a must on my to-do list when I do return. Looking forward to my next visit in December for some yummy cheesecake. -
Review from Sarah C.
9/24/2010
Other places may dress up their cheesecakes with all sorts of bells and whistles, but at Baby Waton's, the cheese stands alone. The cheesecake here is a crustless wonder. Unlike pie crust, which is, when done right, deliciously tender, flakey and buttery, cheesecake crust is generally unexceptional- sweet and crumbly, but forgettable. D'aiuto's cuts straight to the chase, skipping the dense graham cracker crust and focusing on the dessert's defining element: rich, creamy, sweetened cheese.
It's a good strategy, because cheesecake is decadent enough on its own without weighing it down with a cookie crust. Some might miss the contrast of taste and texture that you get with a crust, but without it, you really get to appreciate the unsurpassed richness and heavenly creaminess of the cheesecake. It's so perfectly dense and moist that one begins to wonder if other bakers only add a crust because their cheesecake can't hold up without the support of one. It also doesn't hurt that by eliminating the crust, D'iauto's has rendered their delicious dessert gluten free.
Of course, this is not to say that all cheesecakes should be crustless, just that to find one this delicious that is was quite refreshing. D'aiuto's makes a variety of fruit and nut toppings for their cheesecakes, I suggest that you start, like I did, with the unadulterated goodness of the plain, original recipe cheesecake. It's a textbook example of everything New York cheesecake aspires to be. -
Review from Jenn T.
New York, NY
11/23/2010
Every year, for the past blahblahblah many years I've been in existence, my family gets our pies and cheesecakes for Thanksgiving from D'Aiuto's. If you haven't started this tradition yourself, you should go ahead and start it now. And anyone who begs to differ can (enter really profane and inappropriate phrases). For real.
It's an old-school kinda place, and I think the same old lady that works there was there when I was little girl. Shuffling back and forth behind the counter, you can't be anything but patient with this lady because while she's old, she makes some damn good desserts. My favorite is the tri-color cookies; they're like little cakes layered with jelly and covered in chocolate. And the cheesecake of course. And the banana cream pie. And the apple pie. And the... you get the idea. -
Review from Jeff L.
Brooklyn, NY
11/28/2010
I'm a big donut fan and their donuts are among some of the best in the city. Not only are they large and inexpensive (less than a dollar), the D'aiuto donut's chewy and slightly-malty interior really shines. Their glazed donuts beat the crap out of Peter Pan any time of the day. Also if you're really hungry, try the giant apple fritter. It could practically feed a family of four and its perfectly fried so that the edges are just crisped and the center is just cooked through but still moist and chewy.
I've been trying to get them to go back their old chocolate frosting which was thicker and less likely to flake off, but so far this effort has yielded no results.
Oh yeah, and they have other pastries and cheesecakes too...
PS - This place is also yelped separately as " D'aiuto" and I wrote the same thing there too. -
Review from sean I.
Astoria, NY
2/27/2012
the place has some of the best deserts and sweets, however the customer service is terrible. I walked in and asked the girl in there (annah) if the cookies were soft. she gave me the worst look ans said "yes"... I ordered a bunch of things and then said, can you please make sure they're soft. she turned her head and said "yes yes, I said yes" in a loud and very rude and condescending tone.. and made a hand gesture criticizing me for being a gay man... I really have loved the place and the foods, but after that experience... I will advice all those that I know to avoid eating there for the horrible and most terrible customer service and the homophobic gestures.. Please advise others..
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Review from Raquel Y.
New York, NY
5/23/2011
delicious! My hubby got me one as my bday cake and it is SOOOO good.
Not too sweet, just perfect! -
Review from Your M.
New York, NY
10/13/2010
Awesome Cheesecake, bad service.
Unfortunately, cheesecake is the crust less kind (like S&S Cheesecake, although S&S is better). Tastes better with fruits on it, personally. But it doesn't disappoint, and will satisfy your sweet tooth. They get three stars, though, for always screwing up my order. I said pretty clearly "PIECE OF CHEESECAKE", not an entire box, and last time, they tried to sell me cheesecake without strawberries because the lady next to me decided to change her mind and go for a banana split donut. Douchecanoes.... -
Review from Max S.
1/28/2008
You won't find a better cheesecake. Period.
The service is terrific. There is nothing that makes me feel warmer on a cold winter evening than being called "Hon", "Dear," or "Sweetheart," by, who has to be the sweetest old lady on the west side.
The cheesecake is fresh and has that perfect homemade taste with a perfect texture on top - not too flaky and not too soft, and a perfect consistency inside.
It just doesn't get any better than this. The End. -
Review from diana y.
7/28/2008
There is no crust on this cheesecake, it's literally just the cream cheese filling. Lots of it. And tasty. A large marble chocolate cheesecake sets you back $26, but it's worth every penny.
However, every other goshdarn thing in this joint tastes like it came out of an EZ Bake Oven. Really poor quality amateur stuff. I ate a holiday cupcake there once that dyed my entire mouth blue. As far as I understand, grown-up food isn't supposed to dye your tongue like a push-up pop. Their "lobster tail" is hard and stale and tastes like a bunch of old flour. Their homemade Italian ice is WAY too sweet, even for someone like me who enjoys her monthly lapse into a diabetic coma. I got some chocolate rugelach one time that I spat out. It tasted like waxy old bread.
Really, really hit or miss. But mostly miss. Stick with the cheesecake and you'll be alright. -
Review from Billy A.
7/20/2007
Such nice service, too. Haven't sampled the house specialty yet, but the boxes of cookies and cannolis were a hit with the family. Big time.
I should mention that the cannoli are filled as you order -- no soggy shells here! -
Review from HamiltonHeights H.
Manhattan, NY
7/25/2008
I shoulda had the cheese cake because the $2.25 giant chocolate chip cookie was stale and soggy and cold.
I threw some of it away and I never EVER throw away cookies. EVER! -
Review from Michael B.
New York, NY
5/19/2009
You know how in the Legend of Zelda games, while smashing pots, you occasionally get lucky and are rewarded with a coveted red rupee? Except you don't know ahead of time which pots will give you the rupee?
That's a bit what this bakery is like. They have almost anything you want, but there are two qualities: okay and AWESOME.
The problem is, you don't know ahead of time which will be AWESOME. So far, I can confirm that the cheesecake is AWESOME (I'd estimate it's worth at least 15 rupees), but the cupcakes are just okay (1 rupee only, if any).
OTOH, if you happen to be wandering around Midtown Hyrule and your stomach wants sweet rupees, get out your wallet sword and get cracking on your quest for D'Aiuto rupees. -
Review from Chante R.
6/18/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I had a hunkering for a canoli soooooo I stopped in. This place reminds me of the bakery in Bklyn - very historic, authentic and I can tell I will get something yummy from here. I got me a canoli and an assortment of shortbread cookies - not the cheesecake that they are so famous for (wasn't in the mood). I was not disappointed! The canoli was good-not great but whenever I crave one I don't have to trek all the way to Arthur Ave in the Bx. The cookies?! OMG...love them! They are even better the next day with a cup of tea. Delicious...next up is the cheesecake...whoa!
Listed in: Edible Sweetibles
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Review from Kate B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/8/2009
I love this place!
I picked up my date in Times Square and we decided to walk to Tribeca to his friend's book release. Along the way, we passed a window full of tempting pastries and doubled back to sample the wares.
He got an almond biscotti, which he said was awesome and tasted like homemade.
I couldn't decide, but they had a lot of signage around advertising their apple fritters, and I figured they know what they do best. That was a good call. Their apple fritter is awesome. Super sweet, with big, flat chunks of apple in the dough. It's also a monstrous beast, size-wise. I ate about 1/3 before I admitted defeat and packed it into my bag for another day.
The nice lady behind the counter also gave us a free doughnut! She said it was because they were closing. I think it's because I tipped. Either way, my favorite kind of doughnut is a free doughnut.
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I was also amused that they had a Chocolate Mouse Cake. Not chocolate mousse. Chocolate MOUSE. It was nearly jet black with rich-looking frosting, and studded with little rodents made from icing. Maybe it was a tribute to Veniero's health code violations. It sure was cute! -
Review from b L.
New York, NY
3/28/2006
The best cheesecake in the city comes from this unlikely bakery across the street from Madison Square Garden. Don't bother with anything else (i've tried the tiramisu cake, the palmier, and an apple muffin-cake-thingy, none of which was anything to write home about) - go straight for the plain New York cheesecake - it's creamy, silky, and tangy; rich, but not too dense. Crust-lovers be warned - this is a crustless cheesecake.
*The other favorite cheesecake in the city used to be the lemon cheesecake at Union Square Cafe, but i didn't see it on my last visit there (some time in 2004/5?). -
Review from Rey P.
Manhattan, NY
6/15/2008
I like cheesecake, but I don't seek it out -- not the way I seek out doughnuts. Real doughnuts -- yeast made, slow risen, lightly fried doughnuts -- like the ones they had here. These are good solid doughnuts. Plus, you get a taste of old New York (maybe even some old New York attitude) to go along with your sweet treat.
I think Donut Pub will always be my special doughnut spot, but the ones at D'aiuto's have a homemade quality that you can't deny. I had a jelly, and it was a hearty treat: a nice sourness in the dough, great texture, enough powdered sugar to make an embarrassing mess of myself, and plenty off oozing strawberry jelly. When I've been by, it doesn't seem like they put out new ones mid-day, though, so head over in the morning to get them fresh.
A friend also sampled a couple of the chocolate-dipped lace cookies and was quite pleased. Definitely worth a trip, even if you're not that into cheesecake! -
Review from Evon L.
New York, NY
1/14/2011
One of the better cheesecakes to be found in the city. Yes, it's crustless but I didn't miss the crunchy stuff as much as I thought I would. My little slice ($17 for the smaller sized whole cheesecake) was creamy without being overly dense, with a bit of a zesty undertone, which cut through the richness well. Jury still out on whether the cheesecake would be better without the scattered sugar granules on the top.
If it's only a few short blocks out of your way, stop in at this old-world bakery and pick up dessert. -
Review from Evan B.
Manhattan, NY
11/20/2010
Although I haven't sampled any of their other goodies, my is keyboard currently scattered with crumbs and smeared with icing from the best apple fritter I've ever had the pleasure of putting in my face.
Prices and staff are decent, and they have tons of different cakes, if that's your thing. I'd give D'aiuto another star or maybe two if they made bread, but they don't. They only make desserts. I love desserts, who doesn't, but without bread I only have occasion to come in here every so often. -
Review from Stef S.
9/26/2010
The place has a wide variety of cookies (yum!) and covers your basic italian bakery goods... biscotti, cannolis, cheesecake, etc. The people are friendly, and it's conveniently located by Penn Station.
The reason I give them fewer stars is because 1) they're pricey (4 biscotti cost $7.50!!), 2) the lady never told me there was a "small" size cannoli option and just automatically gave me the big ones (ugh, forgive me, stomach, I have failed you), and 3) the biscotti was a bit stale and not too flavorful.
Cannoli was tasty but definitely not the best one I've ever had. The filling just wasn't to die for!
I want the real stuff, man. But hey, you're still a cute old school bakery. -
Review from Bill S.
5/27/2010
Rainbow cookies in Hells Kitchen??? Baby, where have you been all my life!
This place is close to my favorite pizza place on 8th and 32nd. I never really understood what it was they were offering, Baby Watson Cheesecakes?
I walk inside and its an old skool bakery!? WTF!!!
Homemade Italian Biscotti, cookies and of course, cheesecake. I was giddy like a cheerleader when I bought biscotti with dried fruit.
Ozzy, sing it: Mamma I'm comin' home...Listed in: Bake 'em Dano!
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Review from Wendy T.
San Francisco, CA
10/13/2010
The cheesecake was unreal, alright. Unreal how Yelpers even gave it anything better than 2 stars. Ugh. What a Yelp-fail.
After having a fantastic cheesecake at Chickalicious, D'aiuto's was awful. First off, crustless. I didn't know that until I started eating the cheesecake. Everyone knows graham cracker crust is the best part! Secondly, it was dry and bland. Didn't taste like anything.
Bf got the tiramisu cheesecake and that was equally bland and gross.
I do not recommend this place! -
Review from latish s.
Jersey City, NJ
5/11/2006
A tiny shop, thats easy to miss. The cheesecakes however should not be.
The variety is not too vast but enough to keep you interested for a few visits. The service is basic "you ask you get". The cheesecakes are fresh, but served a bit too cold for my taste.
At 3$ a slice i think its good value. -
Review from Reed F.
Queens, NY
8/28/2009
BEST CHEESECAKE IN NYC
It's awesome. It's an old school pastry shop located
on a borderline seedy block of 8th ave. It's worth the trip to the
neighborhood to try it out. -
Review from Ben C.
7/31/2009
Four stars and counting......
Having just got back from D'aiuto's with 10 slices in plain, blueberry, pineapple, cherry and celebrity chocolate I can confirm an ample 4 stars for the delicious plain. I count my lucky stars I'm only visiting this great city or I'd end up in cheesecake rehab.
Cheesecake is not big or clever. Cheesecake costs lives. All the cheesecake in my fridge is mine. Do not touch my cheesecake. -
Review from Luda P.
New York, NY
12/2/2008
I'm no expert on cheesecake - basic or New York, so I have nothing to compare this to, but I can tell you that the cheesecake here tastes bloomin' gorgeous.
However, I bought a slice each for me and my boyfriend - big mistake - after polishing them off we both lay like pythons who'd swallowed a goat and were unable to move for hours. This stuff is insanely sweet and rich and delicious though - just don't eat too much. That said...I'm now ready for another slice I think........ -
Review from Jessie D.
New York, NY
Updated - 8/8/2010
I had this sweet bread that has pecan on the top - $1.95
Very moist, just right amount of sweetness, really big.
If you like fine pastry and also like substantial amount at good price, this is definitely the place to go.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/6/2010
This review is only based on their apple fritter.
I know everyone is talking about their cheesecake,… Read more »
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Review from Jenny W.
6/6/2011
Sort of frightening going into this place BUT the cheesecake is so moist and soft and delicious and their hamentaschen cookies the size of my face so...I risk my life, order quickly, and happily munch away walking (quickly) home.
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Review from Matt E.
12/31/2009
There are much better bakeries and cheesecake places in the city to eat here. The desserts here are alright enough to stop in if you're in the area (by Penn Station) and get something but definitely nothing to go out of your way to get. The cheesecake tastes like any grocery store cheesecake I've ever had which is pretty dense but still tasty. The fruit toppings are very sugary and gelatinous (kinda like canned pie filling). Overall the place is kinda dirty and empty feeling and the workers mind as well be from any other food stand in the city (they certainly aren't the owners or related to them in anyway).
UPDATE: I've gone back on my search for the city's best B&W cookie and was very disappointed with the one I had here. I was assured by the girl that it was fresh yet the cookie was incredibly dry. Even had it not been dry the flavor was also lacking. -
Review from Nancy T.
Brooklyn, NY
6/17/2011
Wonderful desserts. Your mouth will start watering as soon as you walk in.
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Review from Holly N.
3/8/2011
After writing a review about such horrible cheesecake (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), I decided I should foil that review with one of excellent cheesecake. I used to live down the block from D'aiuto and thank goodness it took me at least 8 months to figure that out! D'aiuto is an old school dessert venue. There is no place to sit, no decorative doily's or lace lining the windows, there is no hype or overenthusiastic tourists, just good cheesecake. My favorite was the plain, because why mess with something so glorious? I've also sampled the pistachio and chocolate cannoli, filled when you order so that it's fresh. If you want a real slice of NYC, this is the place to stop.
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Review from Susan A.
3/7/2011
The cookies and cheesecake are top-notch. Cookies are fresh, flaky, and delicious scrumptioush chomp chomp chomp nomnomnomness. Have had the strawberry and blueberry cheesecake here to date and they have not disappointed. It's not too rich and it has the right amount of texture and character of a cheesecake. I am so glad I found this place.
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Review from sophie b.
New York, NY
10/15/2010
It's so hard to find good places to eat around Penn Station. This is the *rare* great bakery in that neighborhood. If you are in the area and don't want to buy some crappy packaged food, stop by D'aiuto's; their scones are heavenly.
