Who doesn’t like to sneak spoonfuls of cookie dough when all the ingredients are mixed together in the bowl? Now your cravings can be satisfied with a visit to the new Sweet and Simple shop in Brookside. It’s a store with various flavors of safe-to-eat cookie dough…what a concept!
When I stopped by recently to check out the place, the manager explained edible cookie dough is a new concept for the Midwest– it’s already popular in California and New York. All flavors are made in house, followed by a cooking and chilling process. There is a “signature” flavor, which tastes like a basic vanilla flavored dough; other options include Birthday Cake, S’Mores, Finding Dory, Mint and Chocolate Bliss. Of course there are many, many toppings you can add (crackers, pretzels, nuts, sprinkles, candy, etc–.25 each) and the flavored drizzle squirts are free. One scoop is $5, two for $7.50.
Sweet and Simple also makes smoothies and milk tea (bubble tea) with several flavor choices–and some unusual ones, like white gourd, tamarind, and lycee. Local owner Diana Dang also owns BKS Nails in Brookside. She wanted to be in Brookside for this second business because of the neighborhood vibe, the friendliness of the people and how they support “mom and pop” shops and stores.
This bright, clean store has some indoor seating and a few games for kids–Scrabble and Connect 4, which is a nice touch…interactive play instead of screens! Hours are Monday – Thursday 10:30am-8:30pm; Friday and Saturday 10:30am-9:30pm and Sunday noon-7. Sweet and Simple is located at 326 W 63rd St, in part of the former Reading Reptile space. Stop by, enjoy a treat and welcome another new local business to Brookside!
places you can order ahead so you don’t have to talk to a human. But I do enjoy Starbucks coffee, generally the servers are friendly (excluding airport Starbucks in my experience!) and it can be less expensive than Roasterie. For example, a 16 oz bag of beans at Starbucks runs $14-$15; at Roasterie the 12 oz bag of beans start at $14. Lattes, straight gray coffee, expresso and teas are competitive in pricing. 
Father John Spicer, Rector, at St Andrew’s, has been watching the construction go on the past several months. He’s so excited about the new space, and eager to show it off to the Brookside/Waldo residents. As he explained to me, “We want this building to be a place of intersection between the church and the community.” St Andrew’s Youth Ministry will meet here, along with Boy Scout Troup 16 (here for more than 90 years!). Other groups are welcome: community meetings, business associations, classes for couples and parenting, financial seminars. Special events like wedding receptions, anniversary and birthday parties can be hosted in the space; there is a catering prep space/kitchen (alcohol permitted) and there will be a staffed coffee/snack bar with a special Roasterie Blend coffee named for the church. So if you are weary of working from home, or need a break while walking the trail, stop in the lobby of HJ’s, grab a beverage and relax on the patio!
Starting today, Monday April 16, the coffee bar will open at 10am, along with the deli and market. You can get coffee (or expresso, latte, etc) but no pastries or drinks with syrup. Owner Jake Imperiale says he’s changing the concept to “do it the Italian way” –meaning no coffee ‘to go’. Come in, order your beverage; it will be served on china and then you can sit down at a table and take the time to really enjoy your beverage. (And if you’ve ever been to Italy, you know that is the true Italian way to have a coffee. Linger and appreciate your drink, take the time to chat with your companion or sit and contemplate the day.)
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 