Levain Bakery

A bulbous chocolate chip cookie A cross-section with the half-circle cookie with two types of chocolate chips A bulbous chocolate chip walnut cookie A cross section of the cookie with walnuts and small chips

Levain recently opened a storefront on Newbury St, so I had to give it a try.

I understand why these cookies have made a splash; they are really unlike any cookie that I'™ve tasted so far. But I almost just don'™t want to classify them as a cookie - this is it'™s own unique pastry treat that I think is more of a cross between a cookie and a scone than just a cookie.

I got two because I feel like the chocolate chip walnut is their iconic cookie, but I also wanted to experience the double chocolate chip cookie, which is more in line with this experiment.

The double chocolate chip cookie has a thick outer crunchy shell. The bottom is well-baked and gives some good carmelized flavor to the cookie. Inside, it'™s like I have a ball of cookie dough in the center - chewy and sweet - I don'™t think I'™ve yet experienced a cookie that'™s taken me through the whole range of cookie textures like this. The two chocolates have a good bitter note - that'™s a good compliment to sweet hot beverages - and it was still a little melty from the oven since I went in the morning.

The walnut chocolate chip cookie, I think, is a little better balanced with flavors than the double chip, it'™s less bitter and the walnuts add a layer of nuttiness (and another kind of crunch!)