Manhattan's dessert scene just got a little sweeter with the opening of Sweet Graffiti. This new bakery serves up a mix of innovative sweets led by Hospitality Department’s pastry chef Romina Peixoto. According to Eater NY, flavors from around the globe inspire their desserts such as the Oaxaca stuffed chocolate bar with unique mix-ins like mole, corn tortillas, and coffee, as well as the pad Thai cookies that blend peanut butter, lime, and coconut.

Located at 51 W. 32nd Street, adjacent to the Martinique Hotel, Sweet Graffiti also offers alfajores and flan in flavors like passionfruit and matcha, alongside playful frozen treats like flyers, a doughnut-shaped dessert, and fanciful ice cream bars. According to a report from What Now New York, Peixoto, with a background including stints at lauded eateries such as Le Cirque and Eleven Madison Park, aims to make the bakery a destination for those eager to sample her art-driven sweet creations.

Meanwhile, the health-minded shoppers of Stuy Town will soon have a new Whole Foods Market Daily Shop to explore. EV Grieve reports the store will be located at 409 E. 14th Street, between Avenue A and First avenues. This will be a smaller format compared to standard Whole Foods stores, focused on prepared grab-and-go options, fresh produce, and other essentials.

On a less sweet note, long-established Italian American restaurant Mama Mia has appealed to its community for financial support amid rising operational costs. According to Eater NY, the restaurant at 621 Ninth Avenue, which opened in 1971, is trying to keep its doors open following accrued debts. Co-owner Connie Rogers expressed the shared struggle among local vendors saying, "I keep asking other stores and vendors what's going on? Am I the only one here? And they say, 'No, Connie, you're not the only one.'" The genuine concern from Rogers reflects a wider economic stress faced by restaurant owners in the city.