By Aidann Gia
After returning back to New York City, I immediately knew that I had to get back into the food scene. The summer break brought me home, where I made food for myself and saved money for the school year. I craved Japanese cuisine after a long day at orientation, which led me to a chic and clean breakfast spot, known for the fluffiest and bounciest pancakes. My new peer, Thu Le, grabbed dinner with me at Fluffy Fluffy, a spot just around the corner from New York University.
The staff tended to us as soon as we entered the cafe-like establishment, aiding us consistently throughout the night. Our drinks were served first, and quickly. Thu ordered a mango speciality latte, while I opted for the mezmerising strawberry lavender refresher. My glittery, thirst-quenching drink had an ombre effect from the sparkling water to the strawberry syrup. Sipping on this beverage as I devoured my pancakes brought me to the realization that most refreshers are entirely too sweet, while the lavender flavoring and lemon slice garnish was far from overpowering. This drink was my new favorite non-caffeinated drink in the Manhattan, perfect for a sweaty and sticky day out downtown.
“I can taste the freshness in the mango and the milk froth makes the drink so creamy!” Thu reviewed. “Definitely a nice summer sweat treat.”
Her specialty latte almost resembled a fruit smoothie, though its consistency was much thinner. The restaurant had a wide range of fruity flavors for lattes, ensuring guests have options depending on their palette.
As for the pancakes, it seemed the menu was never-ending. We had difficulty landing on a choice for our main entrees. I finally selected the hazelnut banana pancakes, and Thu picked the blueberry cheese pancakes. My platter came with a small ceramic dish of chocolate, eventually drenching my fluffy pancakes with the smooth syrup. Her plate had a beautiful tiramisu dressing, caramelized lemons, and blended blueberries.
“The blueberry cheese pancake is so fluffy. Paired with the blueberry dressing and tiramisu, the pancake is the perfect amount of sweetness,” Thu commented.
The ambiance of the small business was quiet and calm, which we both needed from the chaotic lectures we had throughout our day. I deeply appreciated the kind and funny employees who helped us ensure our meals were Instagram worthy and to our liking. The furniture was modern and chic, emitting a vibe perfectly fit to our aesthetically pleasing meal.
“Overall, I had a great experience trying out Fluffy Fluffy,” Thu concluded. “The staff were friendly and there was a relatively short wait time. The atmosphere of the restaurant was comfy and well decorated.”
For students, especially those residing near the East Village, who are curious how traditionally fluffy Japanese pancakes compare to simple American ones, the Campus Clipper is offering a discount. To claim the offer, students need to show their valid student ID and coupon attached below.
