![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
NEW YORK — As we walk into Bibble & Sip in Midtown Manhattan, the space feels busy yet welcoming, with a lively energy flowing through the room as people order and chat. Our eyes were immediately drawn to the display of carefully crafted, almost too-cute-to-eat pastries, showcasing everything from their social media popular cream puffs and delicate cakes to neatly arranged cookies.
Beyond the desserts, a wide variety of drinks to choose from is presented, making it a harder decision to find the perfect pairing. As we checked out, we noticed a small selection of alpaca-themed merch, including pins and plush keychains, that adds to the café’s charm. We ordered the Panda Cake, Soup Dumpling, Lychee Berry, Raspberry Lychee Tart and Matcha Latte.
With a panda head on top of a layer of chocolate cake, the Panda Cake ($14.50), was far from our top choice. Once we cut it into four pieces, the white fondant of the panda overpowered all other flavors, and we felt like we were chewing into a pasty, creamy base. The miso caramel barely registers, its taste fading into the caramel mousse overpowering flavor. The panda face sits on the cake base, but as we dug into the base, it actually fails to break and requires multiple tries, making the cake unable to eat. If you really like creamy flavors, the panda cake is a good choice. Despite its appearance, the cake did not appeal to its attractiveness.
The Soup Dumpling ($14.50) was extremely aesthetically pleasing, decorated with a kawaii face, an intricately designed bamboo basket and an interactive squeeze bottle inserted on top. We enjoyed the subtle coconut layer on top of the vanilla tart basket, and thought the cream was rich but not too sweet. However, we felt that the pandan jelly center’s taste drowned out the vanilla mousse and coconut biscuit. The vanilla tart added a satisfying texture that contrasted with the pandan and coconut flavors. The squeeze bottle offered an interactive element, which was filled with a refreshing and chewy coconut gel mimicking the broth of an actual soup dumpling.
The Lychee Berry Pig Cake ($9.75) consisted of exemplary combinations, both in appearance and on the palate. The cake’s strong colors immediately drew our attention, with a mixture of reds and pinks making up the cake’s pig body. These colors were created from the crisp outer shell of melted Valrhona strawberry chocolate, which added a subtle, delicate crunch to each bite of the dessert that contrasted to the soft inner layers of white tea mousse, strawberry cream and matcha almond cake. Nestling within the glossy strawberry chocolate, the cake added a subtle matcha aftertaste that paired seamlessly with the airy mousse and heavier cream. None of the flavors overpowered the other, instead building on top of one another and enhancing the overall berry flavor of the cake of the strawberry cream.
The Raspberry Lychee Tart ($10.25) ended up being one of the standout desserts for us. A vanilla tart filled with raspberry cream, white chocolate ganache, and topped with a raspberry macaron and an alpaca-shaped vanilla macaron, the visuals didn’t disappoint. Right as you bite into the dessert, the raspberry flavor of the cream hits strong and as bright and tangy as expected, giving the tart the sharp, refreshing edge that keeps it from feeling too heavy or sweet. Small pieces of lychee fruit in the cream also added a nice textural contrast and added a slight floral sweetness that paired surprisingly well with the raspberry. Crunchy and buttery, the crust provided a satisfying contrast to the smooth cream. The cream itself was a highlight as well: not too oily or overly soft, making each bite feel clean and well-balanced. The raspberry and vanilla macarons placed on top of the tart elevated the whole experience. The perfectly chewy interior of the shell and smooth, firm filling made the effort spent on every detail of the dessert clear. In addition to adding a touch of charm, the macarons also paired well with the tart itself, adding an extra layer of texture and a slightly sweeter note that complemented the tangy raspberry and floral lychee.
Unfortunately, our expectations were let down by the Iced Matcha Latte ($5). We ordered the matcha with no added sweetness, anticipating a bold flavor profile. While we were expecting a rich, nutty aroma, the matcha tasted overwhelmingly milky and diluted. The cup lacked a vibrant green that we were anticipating and instead was a pastel green after being mixed. Although relatively cheaper than its other New York City counterparts, we recommend skipping the matcha latte when ordering if you prefer a strong grassy taste.
Bibble & Sip provides a stimulating atmosphere and their attention to detail reigns clear through merchandise decor and pastry display. Fitting for New York City standards, the treats we got were priced on the higher end, ranging from $10-$15. However, if you’re in the area and want a dessert or drink, this place may fulfill your needs. Overall, Bibble & Sip not only provides an assortment of desserts but is also a place to enjoy the delicacies of the city.
