Evelyn's Kitchen

Tucked away in the vibrant New York City neighborhood of East Harlem, Evelyn’s Kitchen is a little hidden gem of a cafe with a big heart led by Ayala Donchin, who founded it as a catering company in 2009 after 15 years spent directing nonprofits and running a marketing firm. Named after her godmother, Evelyn’s is a family owned (and women led) bakery and cafe that makes from-scratch goodies, including their signature Pudgie. What’s a Pudgie? It’s a soft, chewy, doughy cookie, a handheld version of your favorite childhood desserts like banana pudding, s’mores, and Devil Dogs.

But Pudgies aren’t all this cafe has up its sleeve! Named New York’s Best Caterer for 2021 by NY Magazine, Donchin is whipping up an incredible array of elevated comfort food including mouth-watering wings, decadent brownies, rich blondies, and “sliders,” or cookie sandwiches.