CamiCakes Continued…

Last time on Cupcake Crusade, Jeanne the fearless cupcake-eater and her gallant companion Steve set out for new horizons!  We wanted to 1) take this mission to new heights by adding video and 2) try some well-acclaimed Atlantian cupcakes.   Once we arrived, encountered the masses of people, and the camera started rolling, I pretty much lost my “fearless” persona.  But, all in all – mission accomplished!  ( You can relive all the excitement here: https://cupcakecrusade.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/camicakes-cameo/ )

Pre-visit, my online research led me to believe that CamiCakes is a top contender in the Atlanta’s best cupcakery debate.  Seeing the never-ending long line on the day of our visit (and actually, this was the busiest cupcakery I’ve been to Atlanta) validated that whole hunch.

While waiting in line (and sheepishly shooting some video footage), we spotted a menu on the wall with mouthwatering images of what CamiCakes had to offer.  (This came in handy since the long line blocked our view of the real-deal cupcakes.)

We picked out the following four cupcakes, took them outside to chow down, and jotted down these thoughts:

1) Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream (“classic chocolate cake topped with yummy peanut butter cream cheese frosting”) – the chocolate cake was so moist and fresh, it almost fell apart.  But boy, the flavor was good and the frosting was soft and fluffy.  Actually, the whole package was soft and fluffy – it made me want to just smush the whole thing in my mouth!

2) Chocolate Raspberry Almond Cream (“moist chocolate cake infused with raspberry puree, topped with cream cheese, toasted almonds and drizzled with raspberry puree”. Doesn’t that sound amazing! ) – this cake had the same crazy-moist thing going for it.  I didn’t notice much almond flavor, but the whole ensemble of chocolate, raspberry and cream cheese was bursting with make-your-mouth-happy flavor!  Heads- up: these cupcakes are no skinny minis and the cream cheese frosting makes it all quite filling.

3) Sweet Potato (“cinnamon and real sweet potato mixed in our yellow buttery cake and topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting”) – talk about bursting with flavor!  Our previously posted film footage showed me deeply inhaling the aroma of this bad boy, and Steve comments in the background that he could even smell it from across the table and behind the camera!  So, did it taste as good as it smelled?  Oh yea, it was a party in my mouth (is that expression overly used now?  Sorry if your answer is yes!) .  The flavors are very reminiscent of pumpkin pie, with a strong kick of cinnamon and I’m guessing nutmeg.  I loved this one and am contemplating a Top 10 spot for it.

4) Cotton Candy (Sorry I don’t have the official description!  I think because it’s a seasonal flavor, it doesn’t get a permanent spot on the online menu.  But let me try to sum it for ya…buttery yellow cake with two-toned pink and blue buttercream frosting) – both Steve and I thought this tasted like your standard vanilla cake with vanilla frosting.  (I felt bad for Steve because I think he was pretty jazzed about a cotton candy-flavored cupcake.)  Steve said it was still good, but for me it wasn’t especially memorable.

No shortage on frosting here

Another heads-up here – over half the cupcakes on CamiCakes’ menu have cream cheese frosting.  This general makes me frown, but Steve thinks cream cheese frosting rules.  Let’s take a vote!  Who’s right – me or Steve?? (post your vote as a comment below)

When all was said in done and smushed in my mouth, CamiCakes had two new fans under their belts.  Steve says it’s one of the best places we’ve been to in Georgia, and I may very well agree!

And now, we break. it. down…

CamiCakes Cupcakes / Atlanta (Buckhead), GA ~ Atlanta (Vinings), GA ~ Jacksonville (Tinseltown), FL ~ Orange Park, FL / www.camicakes.com

1. Price:  $2.50 – give it up for an under $3 cupcake, woot woot! / $28 dozen

2. Room temperature:  Yes, oui, si, ja…that’s all I got.

3.  Size:  Not jumbo and not standard…I’d say pleasantly plump.

4. Vegan or gluten-free options:  No, non, no, neine…I’m out of languages, sorry to any Asian continent followers.

5. To-go packaging:  For our four cupcakes, we got a pretty pink cardboard box (with standard dividers inside) and a logo sticker to seal it up.  Individually purchased cupcakes went in a plastic clamshell (without the interior braces)…not a fan of those, but what can you do.

6. Milk for sale?:  Get this, they had pink milk for sale!  Well, technically it’s strawberry milk.  But I’ve been thinking that the cutely decorated cupcake boutiques (especially the ones with pink decor)  should serve pink milk ~ it’s a simple, yet fun and festive touch .  Anyway, they had that as well as organic milk, bottled water, sodas, ice tea, Tazo teas…

7.  Other treats for non-cupcake enthusiasts you may have in tow: See answer to #4.

8.  Ambiance:  It’s a little bubbly and a little Ikea hip.  There were a few barstools so as to sit up near the main counter-area; four indoor tables along the wall (with pretty pink bud vases and fresh flowers – another nice touch!), and 2 or 3 outdoor tables.  The predominant, long cupcake counter is where it’s at though! I don’t know if it was the endless line running through the middle of the store or because most people take their cupcakes and run these days, but not a single soul was taking advantage of the indoor seating. 

9. Service:  Warm and easy-going, which I think is awesome given two elements that would’ve had me all kinds of frazzled if I worked there.  1) the endless line, out the door!  and 2) the credit card machine being down, so it was cash only.

10.  Three words to describe the CamiCakes experience:

1)  neighborly 2) bustling

 3) mouthwatering

Sprinkles – What Cupcake Dreams Are Made Of

I have been to Sprinkles, and it was good.  Crazy good, actually. 

It didn’t all go according to my daydream, but I still came out of the experience with a skip in my step.  No sunny and 70 degree weather on the day of our visit.  It was more like low 60s with severe thunderstorms circling about.  No front door parking with fed meter, either (I’ll admit, that really was a stretch).  But we did score a spot just around the corner, and the 35 cents in my wallet bought us 12 minutes on the meter.  Armed with an umbrella, our camera, a note pad, and our appetite – it was go time. 

See that little pink bunny graphic on the window? Thats Sprinkles there!

As we approached, I was relieved to see no long line spilling from the front door (especially since the storm of doom lurked overhead).  But getting through the front door was still a challenge as customers were aplenty.  Steve and I squeezed our way in and soaked in all up.   We had arrived!  I quickly scanned the premises for Candace Nelson and/or free mini cupcake samples…no dice.  But once we spotted the long-listed menu on the wall, an employee warmly greeted us and offered their assistance.  We placed our order, which was filled and ready to be rung up (by another friendly employee) after about 3 minutes.  I probably could’ve stood there in the crowd and people / atmosphere-watched for about an hour.  Steve on the other hand, was good to go after the 3 minutes were up.

Our Sprinkle bag in hand, we eagerly headed out to share our loot with family.  Here’s what we consumed:

~Peanut Butter Chocolate (“chocolate chip-studded peanut butter cake with fudgy milk-chocolate cream cheese frosting“):  The awesome peanut butter/chocolate combination with a fun texture was a group favorite.  Another thing going for it – chocolate sprinkles on top.  (Did I ever tell you guys I used to eat straight-up chocolate sprinkles with a spoon in college?  It was like the best cereal substitute ever.) 

~Red Velvet (“southern style light chocolate with cream cheese frosting“):  This cupcake is a beautiful thing.  I know I’ve said I’m not a Red Velvet fan, but I’m a fan of this Red Velvet.  Now I’m having to ask myself, will it replace Georgetown Cupcake’s Red Velvet in the #3 spot of the Top 10?  {Insert dramatic music here}

~Cinnamon Sugar (“light spiced buttermilk cake dusted with cinnamon sugar“):  This cake, like all of the others, was fresh and had fantastic consistency.  I loved the spice flavor, but really missed my frosting here (cue my inner frosting freak’s cries “why, oh why, is there no frosting on this cupcake?!”)  My mother-in-law mentioned that it was like coffee cake and I think she’s right on.

~Banana Dark Chocolate (“fresh banana cake with bittersweet chocolate frosting“):  This one also got a few votes for favorite, including mine!  I LOVED this cupcake.  Imagine fresh, homemade, out-of-the-oven, all-that-is-good-in-the-world banana bread with a soft and rich chocolaty frosting on top.  I will dream of you, Banana Dark Chocolate cupcake, every night until we meet again. (And, a big thank you goes out to the employee who brilliantly recommended this one for us!)

All in all, Sprinkles was a hit amongst the family.  They looked beautiful (cute little sugar button topping and all), and most importantly they tasted gourmet.  You certainly did not disappoint, Sprinkles (even Steve, who was initially a little miffed by the cramped quarters and high prices) – rock on!

And now, the break down!

Sprinkles Cupcakes / Washington D.C. location at 3015 M Street NW / www.sprinkles.com / Other locations include Beverly Hills, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, La Jolla, New York, Newport Beach, Palo Alto, and Scottsdale (Don’t see your hometown on this list? There’s hope – log on to their website and vote for their next location)

1. Price: $3.50 each / $39 dozen.  Ooof, these are some of the priciest I’ve encountered.  

2. Room temperature:  Why, yes!

3.  Size:  A solid “standard” size

4. Vegan or gluten-free options:   They make a Red Velvet cupcake in both the vegan and gluten-free varieties, hooray!

5. To-go packaging:  Our four cupcakes were sittin’ pretty in their brown, cardboard box with logo sticker (love that cursive font, btw).  And, hip hip hooray, they put the box in a paper shopper (bag) for easier transportation.   ~  I didn’t pick up any napkins or silverware on our way out, but did get a quick glimpse of those supplies.  I think the forks and things were wood or bamboo, which I think is super cool.  The less plastic in the world the better, right?!  After checking out their website, you’ll learn that sustainability is important to the Sprinkle’s philosophy and all of their packaging supplies are made from recycled materials (hooray, again)!

6. Milk for sale?:  Yes, hooray (once more, with feeling)!  Skim, organic, or soy.  Or sip on coffee, tea, apple juice, Pellegrino, water, or Coke (from the glass bottles – is it just me or do those bottles make Coke-drinking feel fancy? Either way, I love ‘um!)

7.  Other treats for non-cupcake enthusiasts you may have in tow:  Not so much…well, see the above beverages.  Does that count?  IF, though, you happen to have your dog in tow…who IS  a cupcake enthusiast then you’re in luck.  They have these mini “doggie cupcakes”  (that looked so pretty I thought they were for us humans), which are sugar-free and topped with a yogurt frosting for $2.50 each.  More for the cupcake enthusiasts – merchandise like t-shirts, hats, a serving tray, and cupcake mixes.

8.  Ambiance:  It’s a wee space, but very rad.  Sprinkles knows what’s up.  It’s like this neat blend of Scandinavian / mod melded with a dash of sweet and a hint of whimsy.  There’s a small, round (or was it asterisk)-shaped table set in each of the store’s two bay windows, so your chances of dining in can be compromised depending on when you visit.  On our Saturday evening jaunt, I think we were lucky just to be inside. ~  Despite the tight quarters and throng of cupcake-lovers, the space still had a sparkle to it.  (Maybe I should’ve titled this post “Sprinkles Sparkles”.  Care to weigh in? 🙂 ) 

Faces have been "sprinkled" to protect identities

9. Service:  Pretty awesome!  This place was packed to the gills, and the staff still seemed unruffled.  They were so calm and friendly.  I never felt rushed, and actually felt like they were happy to see me.  I think that calls for one more (and final) “hooray”!

 10.  Three words to describe the Sprinkles experience:

1) Distinguished  2) Cheerful  3)  Urban

Last word:  The Red Velvet and the Banana Dark Chocolate knocked my socks off, so you know what that means?!  Top 10 material, all the way!

Every Cupcake Has A Silver Lining

This week I went to visit the padres who live near Athens, GA.   During our outing about town, we drove by a sign that caught my eye – “Silver Lining Cupcake Co.”  I felt like my seven-year old self again, riding in the back seat of my parents’ car and spotting South of the Border on I-95, saying “can we please stop? Oh, please!  Oh, please!”.   Lucky for me, I have very cool and very sweet parents who were up the detour.

I must begin this review with saying, if you haven’t been to Athens, GA – go!  It’s awfully rad – a neat combination of artsy hip, laid-back southern, and progressive intelligence.  There’s lots of good food to be had as well, and in the seven years I’ve known Athens there’s always something new on the scene.  Enter – Silver Lining Cupcake Co.  They just opened their doors in late October 2010.  It’s housed in a funky, modern building along Baxter Street, yet the cupcakery still emits cozy comfort.  The smell of warm vanilla floating around, soft blue hued walls, hardwood floors, and a mixture of modern and traditional seating.

The cupcakes are located in the center of the counter, it what looks like a glass, cold-case but is actually just a glass case (room temperature cupcakes – hooray!)  Silver Lining had about seven different options to choose from that day, and I must say that these cupcakes were pretty.  Each cupcake was carefully frosted and thoughtfully decorated so I’d say Silver Lining definitely gets an A for appearance!  We picked out one Gingerbread, one Red Velvet (said to be a popular pick), and one Nutty Chocolate and had them packaged to go.  *Side note – the frosting coverage on these guys errs on the slender side.  My mom said that was a good thing.  Me, not so much.

 

Once home, I quickly divided each cupcake into three pieces.  My poor parents – little did they realize that the cupcake they each picked out would be spread out amongst the group but they rolled with the punches like champs.  (Did I mention that my parents are really sweet??) Sometimes, when I’m divvying up cupcakes like this it can get really messy but somehow this bunch remained quite tidy.  I think that’s a good way to describe these treats – tidy.  Anyway…we each enjoyed our three morsels and discussed once the plate was emptied.  Here are our highs and lows of the experience:

-The Gingerbread (our all around favorite). 

~The downside:  the description at the store said it was topped with a lemon buttercream, and while the buttercream was yummy the lemon flavor was timid.  Maybe a few pinches of lemon zest in there would do the trick.

~The silver lining:  the spice cake tasted very good and the consistency was perfect.  And the little gingerbread man cookie on top was cute and tasty, too!

-The Nutty Chocolate

~The downside:  the chocolate cake was pretty plain and quite dry, and unfortunately detracted from the fantastic frosting (see below)

~The silver lining: the hazelnut buttercream was amazing!  It was like Nutella-flavored mousse, which = genius!

-The Red Velvet

~The downside:  the cake was curious.  It tasted good, but the texture was interesting.  I described it as watery and my dad said “frothy”.  Some folks may really like an airy cake to balance out a rich frosting.  I myself would love a bit more density to the cake, maybe some more butter or cocoa in the batter…

~The silver lining:  delicious frosting – the kind that tastes like a blend of buttercream and cream cheese frosting.  I liked the crushed pecans sprinkled on top, as well.

And there we have it!  I wish Silver Lining Cupcake Co. much success as they spread cupcake happiness throughout Athens.  Now, the breakdown…

Silver Lining Cupcake Co. / 1075 Baxter St. Suite B102, Athens GA / http://silverliningcupcakeco.com

1. Price:  $2.50 each.  Hungry for more?  $14 for half a dozen / $25 for a dozen

2. Room temperature:  Yes!

3.  Size:  Petite.

4. Vegan or gluten-free options:   Not on display during our visit.  But they can be made, just give them a call with 24 hour notice.

5. To-go packaging:  White cardboard box with logo sticker on it.  This seems to be the norm now at cupcakeries.

6. Milk for sale?:   Yup.  As well as coffee, sweet tea, lemonade, hot chocolate, and water.

7.  Other treats for non-cupcake enthusiasts you may have in tow:  Hanging out with the cupcakes, we spotted a tray full of “cake bites”.  They take whole cupcakes and mash them up into bite-size balls, and then cover them with icing (0.75 each).   Non-cupcake enthusiasts may find these treats all too similar to cupcakes and could settle for a beverage.

8.  Ambiance:  Airy and sweet, without being overly sweet.  A guy wouldn’t feel like he was sitting in a doll house here (some cupcakeries give me that impression).  Lots of seating makes you feel welcome to stay and enjoy.

9. Service:  The staff was welcoming, helpful, and efficient. Plus, the place was very clean…and tidy, just like the cupcakes!

Thanks Mom & Dad for the cupcakes, your help with this review, and for stopping the car! 🙂

Our Southern Spree Begins!

Shortly after my move to Georgia, my good friends Beatrix & Manny* took me on a wonderful outing to explore Atlanta.  It was a great day – strolling through Piedmont Park with their beyond adorable pup, and then lunch at the tasty La Fonda.  Afterwards, they suggested stopping at a place for cupcakes (see, they really are good friends!).   We found ourselves sitting at a time-worn farmhouse table in the sun-filled, Belly General Store, each with a beautiful cupcake in front of us.  What great way to kick off “Cupcake Crusade in Georgia”!

Cupcakes in the sunlight = happiness!

Before we get into it, here are some fun little crumbs of info on Belly:

~Awarded “Best Cupcakes” in Atlanta Magazine 2004. 

~Located in a historic building that once housed a community anchor – Fleeman’s Pharmacy (and soda fountain!).

~Can be seen in the current movie Life As We Know It, starring Katherine Heigle and Josh Duhamel.  In the movie, Belly is converted into “Fraiche”, a gourmet food store/catering company owned by Heigle’s character.

After we enjoyed our dessert and before I headed home, I asked Beatrix and Manny if they would jot down their impressions of the cupcakes and email me later when they had the chance.  They got back to me right away with such well-written descriptions that I just had to paste in their write-up word for word.  (If I ever decide to quit this crusade, I say Beatrix and Manny should take over!)

Beatrix on the Red Velvet Cupcake w/Vanilla Butter Cream Icing — “Though I am not a cake expert, I thought that the cake was a bit dry.  However, on our walk back to the condo after you left, Manny and I discussed the chemistry of cake butter, and decided that any steps to make it more moist may have compromised the structural stability of the cake.  So we decided that it was probably fine.  The icing still remains a mightily impressive part of the experience, and I was profoundly awed by the icing, slowly melting in the sunshine.  You could taste every grain of sugar.  I can also see the advantages of serving a cupcake at room temperature, rather than cold, so that would probably rank as a plus on behalf of the establishment.  Finally, as I said, compared to some of the other cupcakes you have featured on your blog, I felt that these lacked ornamentation.  However, I believe you are 100% correct in your observation that the cupcake matched the ambiance of the establishment, and this is an important part of the experience.”

Manny on the Chocolate Cupcake w/Chocolate Butter Cream Icing — “This German chocolate cake does not disappoint.  The cake and icing had a nice contrast between not overly sweet and sweet, respectively.  The token dark chocolate chip in the base of the cupcake was a welcome surprise.  The cupcake had a generous muffin top (would that be cupcake top?) without the unnecessarily voluminous icing layer to make it considerably easier to eat than cupcakes that are more heavily iced — this was appreciated.  (Nota bene: this is a reference to an experience with a cupcake “cake” that was had at our nephew’s 2nd birthday.  A cake was made out of 2 dozen individual cupcakes and then slathered with an inch and a half of icing to create the flat surface of the cake.  Not only was it too sweet to eat, but a roomful of 2 year olds should not be allowed to eat that much icing!)”

*Beatrix and Manny are the pen names of my friends, which is further evidence of their exceptional writing skills!

Love the contrast of the sweet cupcakes sitting on the rough, wood planks.

Time to break it down…

Belly General Store / 772 N. Highland Ave. Atlanta, GA /  www.bellystore.com

  1. Price:  $2.00!  That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout!

2. Room temperature:  Yes!

3.  Size:  Standard

4. Vegan or gluten-free options:   Not so much.

5. To-go packaging:  Hmm, we dined in so I’m not sure about this.  Beatrix, are you up for a reconnaissance mission?!

6. Milk for sale?:   Yup.  You can also get coffee drinks, organic juices made to order, and even shots of wheatgrass.  I personally believe that taking one shot of wheatgrass will immediately eliminate any cupcake indulgence-related guilt .

7.  Other treats for non-cupcake enthusiasts you may have in tow:   Oh yes, in fact, I highly recommend coming by to check out their other goods.  You’ll discover a “selection of artisan products ranging from local to international” like organic fruits and vegetables, artisan cheeses, fruit juices, jams (I LOVE jam!), and even spaghetti sauce.  THEN, on their menu you’ll find freshly made, olive oil bagels; muffins; Georgia grits; handmade flour tortillas (the scrambled egg, cheddar, house mole & avocado sounds delish!); soups; salads; sandwiches; panninis; and a Nutella & banana panino (I don’t exactly know what that is, but I figure that anything with Nutella in it has got to be good).  Lots of yumminess to be had here!

8.  Ambiance:  Cool!  My kind of place – historic building (2 points!), hard wood floors and colorful soda bottles lining the walls.  Lots of natural light streaming in.  Kind of quirky and nostalgic.  Located in the historic neighborhood, Virginia Highlands.  No shortage on charm, that’s for sure! 

Thank you to Manny for his photography.

9. Service:  Everything was very tidy and the staff was friendly.  A cool feature,which Beatrix pointed out, was the little take-out window on the front of the store.  That way, folks walking through the neighborhood with their dogs can stop, stroll up to the window, and also enjoy Belly’s treats. 

I truly enjoyed my Vanilla Cupcake w/Chocolate Butter Cream Icing for its sweet simplicity, appropriate cake/icing ratio, soft cake and rich frosting.  So much so that I will find room on the Top 10  for this little gem!

~My dear thanks go out to Manny and Beatrix for your great contribution, your fun company, a memorable day, and a warm welcome to Georgia!

Going Back To Our Cupcake Roots

I hope you’re not too terribly disappointed with me (Doug, Becky, and Carla) for my failed attempt at a “reader’s choice”.  Last month, when I ventured to NYC for one night, I had high hopes for hitting a least one of your three suggestions, if not all.   But by the time I reached the Big Apple, I was sleep deprived and quite soggy (it rained the whole time I was there).  I did, however, muster up enough energy to walk over to Magnolia Bakery, which was just five blocks from my hotel.

Thoughts of failure lingered still with this game plan, as I had visited Magnolia Bakery months before.  But because it was months before Cupcake Crusade’s establishment, I decided to carry on.  Here’s what went down…

Notice the baker in the window, frosting a cake.

The Magnolia Bakery that I visited (1240 Avenue of the Americas) is smack dab in such an iconic part of Manhattan – Radio City Music Hall, the Rainbow Room, Rockefeller Center, Saks Fifth Avenue (actually on Fifth Avenue), are all just a stone’s throw away.  Yet, stepping off the bold and  bustling streets of NYC and into Magnolia Bakery is a complete transformation.  Did I somehow teleport to Charleston, SC…circa 1950?  The store is decorated in a sweet, southern, shabby chic style that I would love to model my entire house after.  Pastel pinks and blue, sea-foam green subway tile, creamy white bead board, black and white tile floors, chalk board menus, silver cake stand after silver cake stand filled with thick and fluffy cakes – heavenly!  And their cupcakes definitely matched the store , being the pretty little confectionery clouds that they were. 

Quick digression…Magnolia Bakery was one of the forerunners on the cupcake scene, opening its doors in 1996 in Greenwich Village.  Originally, cakes took center stage here but they often found themselves with leftover batter.  One day, one of the owners decided to put that batter to use!  Colorful cupcakes soon decorated their windowsills, and voila!, the cupcake craze was ignited!  Then, when Magnolia Bakery was featured on a Sex and the City episode back in 2000, the craze really lit ablaze.

Ok, back to business.  Knowing that I had to catch my train home shortly, I decided to get four cupcakes to go (so as to enjoy later with my husband and in-laws).  They packaged them up nicely for me in a box, and off I went.  Fast forward about 6 hours later, and the feasting commenced.  (I must note that I did not take photos of my cupcakes.  After bumping along for hours in the box, they didn’t look as pretty as they did in the store).   After cutting each cupcake into four pieces, we each had our own tidbits of Red Velvet, Lemon, Truffled Chocolate, and Classic Vanilla cupcakes.  Unfortunately, that’s all that I remember!  Well… that, and that my family and I were not impressed and maybe even a little disappointed.  Now, the bakery does have this disclaimer on its website:  “Magnolia baked goods are meant to be enjoyed fresh from the oven.  If you plan on storing them, we recommend placing them in an airtight container at room temperature only.”  If only I had had an airtight container with me on that trip and we might’ve had a completely different story to tell here.  But that may very well be the reason why these cupcakes were so underwhelming, too much time had lapsed from oven to mouth.  I should mention though that when I visited Magnolia months before Cupcake Crusade was born, I consumed the cupcake within 30 minutes of purchasing and I vividly remember swooning.  Was this because they really are swoon-worthy only when fresh out of the oven, or because I had not yet been exposed to all the amazing cupcakes that are now on my Top 10 list?  This keeps me up at night.  No, not really.  But maybe it’s reason enough to go back to Magnolia next time I’m in NYC.

Let’s break it down now, shall we?!

Magnolia Bakery / Rockefeller Center location -1240 Avenue of the Americas, New York /  www.magnoliabakery.com / Other NYC locations include Bleeker Street, Columbus Avenue, and Grand Central Terminal.  Can also be found in Los Angeles and Dubai (yup, Dubai!)

1. Price:  Classic cupcakes (vanilla and chocolate) = $2.75.  Specialty cupcakes (Red Velvet, Lemon, Devil’s Food, etc.) = $3.25.

2. Room temperature:  Yes, indeed!

3.  Size:  Standard

4. Vegan or gluten-free options:  I could only find a flourless chocolate cake on their menu.

5. To-go packaging:  Cardboard box with dividers, pretty logo sticker on top.  Or you can purchase 12 mini cupcakes (vanilla or chocolate), which come packaged in a classic egg carton.

6. Milk for sale?:  Yes – cold or steamed!  Chocolate and soy, too.  As well as coffees, teas, and apple juice.

7.  Other treats for non-cupcake enthusiasts you may have in tow:   Specialty cakes and pies, icebox cakes and pies, mini cheesecakes, brownies, cookies AND banana pudding (I should’ve gotten some of that to eat on the spot!).  Breakfast items include muffins and coffee cakes.  Don’t overlook their t-shirts (they were very cute), as well as cookbooks, aprons, eco-friendly bags, and sprinkle jars (“Magnolia’s own pastel palette of hand colored sprinkles”).

Aprons for sale (tutu not included...I think)!

8.  Ambiance:  Vintage sweetness.  See my ramblings above, paragraph 3.

9. Service:  Very pleasant.  The woman who packaged my cupcakes was friendly and patient.  And now that I think about it, the store was very clean.  I’m sure they get a lot of foot traffic/tourists here, but everything looked well stocked and tidy.

Even though the cupcake craze can be traced back to Magnolia Bakery, I’m a bit dismayed to say that it didn’t place on my Top 10.  Maybe next time…

Old Town (Alexandria) Cupcakes Get Taken to School

After the successful experiment on my niece and nephew, I wanted to continue this momentum.  So, my sister kindly volunteered her time to be my next test subject.  There is just so much work to be done that enlisting my family’s help seems to like a smart plan.

There were two cupcakeries in Old Town Alexandria that were on my radar – Lavender Moon and Alexandria Cupcake.  This duel had my sister’s name all over it!  The plan was to purchase a sampling from each establishment, then take them to her at work at a local, Alexandria middle school where she and a few coworkers would deliberate.

If you haven’t been to Old Town Alexandria, you must go.  And take advantage of the free King Street trolley to cruise the entire main drag.  Needless to say, both Lavender Moon and Alexandria Cupcake score points for their charming digs in this beautiful historic district (the 3rd oldest historic district in the nation!).

Lavender Moon

Alexandria Cupcake

Seating at Lavender Moon

First up – Lavender Moon.  The decor is a bit eclectic, curious, intriguing…almost fairytale like.  The cupcake display was there waiting for me at the back of the shop, and the lovely woman working that day described all that were on display.  She also informed me that they do bake fresh daily, using natural ingredients and lower sugar recipes.  I intended to buy three, but walked out with the following four cupcakes:

~Flourless Chocolate (topped with sea salt and almonds.  Made with almond flour).

~Buttermilk cupcake filled with Mexican Chocolate Pudding.

~Vanilla Bean filled Lemon Curd.

~Blood Orange Creamsicle (said to be a signature cupcake).

Seating at Alexandria Cupcake

Next up, Alexandria Cupcake located about 8 block away on King Street.  The scene here is a bit more modern and sleek.  The hardwood floors and exposed brick walls make for an interesting blend though.  The offerings were a bit more familiar, like Red Velvet, Strawberry, and Vanilla Bean.  I did receive excellent customer service here as well and the nice lady fielded all my questions.  I walked out with the following three (I stuck to my guns this time!) cupcakes:

~Strawberry (strawberry cake with buttercream frosting)

~Red Velvet (their signature – with a cream cheese and buttercream combo frosting)

~Dark Chocolate (with vanilla bean frosting).

With my colorful cupcake boxes I raced over to my sister.  She recruited three coworkers to taste test with her, so I quickly divvied up the goods and grabbed my notebook.  Here’s what these kind folks had to say…

Alexandria Cupcakes were first up.  The Strawberry wasn’t a huge hit and the cake was compared to Bisquick.  The Red Velvet was well received, however!  Everyone appreciated its moist cake and delicious frosting.  One of my sister’s coworker even said it made his tongue vibrate!  I’m pretty sure that’s a good thing, right?  He looked happy, so I’m going to go with yes!  Last but not least, the Dark Chocolate was up to bat.  And unfortunately struck out, with dry cake, bitter chocolate, and not so tasty frosting.   I snuck a small piece of this cupcake and thought it was kinda yummy – very whip cream-like frosting and rich cake.  That’s just me though!

Then, Lavender Moon took the stage and their inguinitive flavors generated some buzz.  The Vanilla Bean w/Lemon Curd was considered “just ok” and “kind of dry”.  The Mexican Chocolate Pudding was also thought to be dry.  The Blood Orange Creamsicle was enjoyed and compared to sherbert, but it’s cake got the Bisquick comparison also.  Then came the Flourless Chocolate and won over everyone with it’s “airy and light” frosting and brownie like consistency.  I got to sneak a bite of this one too and was Deeelighted!  This sucker is good – I highly recommend this cupcake, especially to all you chocolate lovers out there.   At the end of this great cupcake feast, Lavender Moon was crowned the winner!     And the Flourless Chocolate Cupcake will certainly make an appearance on the Top 10 list.

Let me break it down now, in dueling fashion!

Lavender Moon (LM)/ 116 S. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA / (I can’t find a website for them, but you can find them on Facebook).

vs.

Alexandria Cupcake (AC) / 1022 King Street, Alexandria, VA / www.alexandriacupcake.com

1. Price:

–LM:  $3 each

–AC:  $3 each / dozen: $33

2. Room temperature:

–LM: Yes

–AC:  Yes

3.  Size

–LV:  Average

–AC:  Average

4. Vegan or gluten free options:

–LV:  the Flourless Chocolate fits the gluten free bill, and it’s AMAZING!

–AC:  Gluten-free ($3.50) and vegan ($3.75) are both on the menu!

5. To-go packaging:

–LV:  Cardboard box with standard dividers.

–AC:  Cardboard box with standard dividers.

6. Milk for sale?:

–LM:  they have a little fridge near the cupcakes with several bottled beverages.  My brillant self didn’t think to look if milk was an option….sorry guys!

–AC:  bottled beverages like soda, water and Gatorade available.

7.  Other treats for non-cupcake enthusiasts you may have in tow:

–LM: just cupcakes here

–AC: mainly cupcakes here.  Sometimes they have mini cupcakes available, too.  I think that’s definitely worth checking back for.  Love me some mini cupcakes 🙂   Also, you can find peruvian alfajores cookies from time to time (thanks for the tip, Stella!).

8.  Ambiance:

–LM:  2 points for cozy! and 2 points for being in a historic building.  There is a small area with tables and chairs should you choose to dine-in and appreciate the artistic decor.

–AC:  Even thought I described the decor as modern, the hardwood floors and brick walls still lend a cozy feel.  Plus, it too is in a historic building –  yay for that.  Only one table and two chairs can be found if you’re looking to eat your goods right away.  If you do snag it, you can enjoy a great window view.

9. Service: 

–LM:  Very good!

–AC:  Very good!

Have you been to either of these establishments?  Tell me your impressions!

Sending out a great big thank you to K, T, S, and my dear sister C for your time, taste buds, and overall awesomeness!

Lavender Moon

Alexandria Cupcake

Found: Pinky, the Nomadic Cupcakery!

Today’s subject – Curbside Cupcakes.  This mobile cupcake company operates out of “Pinky”, their pink cupcake truck that makes multiple stops around downtown DC throughout the day.   I feel that Pinky and I share a common bond, in that we roam the streets in the name of cupcakes.  

 

I can’t tell you how excited I was to spot “Pinky the Cupcake Truck”. I felt like I stumbled upon Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.  I happened to be in southeast DC Wednesday afternoon and saw it parked by the Navy Yard metro (corner of M St. SE and New Jersey Ave).   Without any hesitation, I immediately turned the car around, parked, and got in the line of approximately 20 people.  I’m pretty sure that majority of the line-goers were business professionals, taking a quick snack break.  Everyone seemed to be in a jolly mood, almost like school kids in line at the ice cream truck.   

Once up front, I made my selection of 3 cupcakes – the Red Velvet (said to be their signature cupcake), Key Lime, and Strawberry w/Vanilla.  Because of the cream cheese frosting, I figured I had to eat the Red Velvet right away.  The other two (with butter cream frosting) I saved to eat later with my husband.  After all was said and…eaten, here’s what I thought: 

-The Red Velvet was still pretty cold upon consumption, and I had waited about 15 minutes.  It was still very good, though.  Nice dark red color, lots of creamy and sweet frosting…and what really pulled it all together nicely was the single chocolate chip on top of the frosting.  It’s amazing how something so small as a chocolate chip can make a lasting impression.  Nice touch Curbside Cupcakes! 

-The Key Lime was awesome!   I had to order this one because I recently attempted to make my own key lime cupcakes, and they didn’t turn out so great.  Curbside Cupcakes got it right for sure!  Simple and sweet –  vanilla cupcake with zesty key lime frosting.  

 -The Strawberry w/Vanilla did not disappoint either!  I originally bit into this one thinking it was the Red Velvet because of the red cupcake.  They look similar but taste oh so different.  Strawberry cake with vanilla butter cream.  Yummy, is all I can say…and that I want another one.  My husband too, he said this was his favorite.  

Note: both the Key Lime and Strawberry cupcakes were eaten hours after ordering, and were perfect – very moist cake and soft frosting.  SO worth the wait!   

Something else to keep in mind, Curbside Cupcakes can deliver their tasty treats for your next DC-area party, meeting, or event.  Just check out their website for an order form (2 dozen minimum). 

Let me break it down now! 

Curbside Cupcakes / various Washington, D.C. curbsides / www.curbsidecupcakes.com 

Note: You’ll receive updates on  Pinky’s every move and flavor availability if you “like” Curbside Cupcakes on Facebook.  You can follow them on Twitter, too.  One other option to find Pinky – sign up for the “email subscription” on their website. 

1. Price:  $3 each / half dozen: $15 / dozen: $27 

2. Room temperature:  No, they were cold upon purchasing…very cold, it seemed.  Just you wait though, maybe an hour, and they’ll be perfect. 

3.  Size:  Standard cake size, and generous amounts of frosting. 

4. Vegan or gluten free options:  The do have gluten free, but said they don’t recommend them to people with serious allergies since they bake in a facility with flour and don’t use seperate bowls. 

5. To-go packaging:  My selection came in a brown paper bag with a company sticker.  Looks like you get a nice box with dividers if you order 6+ cupcakes. 

6. Milk for sale?:   Just cupcakes here, nothing else. 

7.  Other treats for non-cupcake enthusiasts you may have in tow:    See #6. 

8.  Ambiance:   I guess this is constantly changing, but can most likely always be described as urban. 

9. Service:  These guys were moving!  One guy greets you, writes down your order, and handles the payment.  The second guy is filling all the orders.   All of this was done with sunny dispositions.   

Final Verdict:  Just because they’re on the move daily, does not mean these cupcakes sacrifice quality.  They’re hella good and so worth tracking down!  This was a hard decision, so we have a tie!  The Key Lime and Strawberry w/Vanilla will both occupy the #5 spot on the “Top 10”. 

Cute! Even the Hubcaps are Pink!

 

Strawberry w/Vanilla Cupcake

 

Red Velvet Cupcake

  

The Cupcakery That Ate Georgetown

Visiting Georgetown Cupcake, the subject of TLC’s new show DC Cupcakes,  has been something I was both anticipating and dreading.  There’s just so much hype orbiting this cupcakery that I feared it would cloud my objective.  Plus, I imagined the inevitable line would be somewhat disagreeable on a mid-August evening.  However, deep down I was dying to know – do these cupcakes live up to the frequent “DC’s best cupcake” proclamation?

My husband and I set out for this mission on Monday and arrived on the scene around 6:30 pm.  Enter the first obstacle we encountered on our journey – parking.  Driving down M St. has never been a cake walk, especially during rush hour.  So to navigate the swarms of cars and pedestrians into a (legal) parking spot is no easy feat.  Second obstacle – the line.  A fairly long line, out the door, too.  It probably took about 20 minutes to get up to the door.  Once at said door, we encountered a Georgetown Cupcake employee that some folks have deemed “the cupcake bouncer”.  This gentleman kindly passed out menus and fielded questions, like what the seasonal selections were this month (August = Ginger Peach and Cherry Cheesecake).  When the moment was right, he opened the door and allowed us to pass.  Third obstacle – quickly making your decision amidst all the commotion, beautiful confectionery, and dozens of hot and hungry people standing behind you.  No time to admire or marvel here folks, which is a shame because the cupcakes are certainly worth marveling at! 

The final obstacle may or may not be an issue for everyone  – seating.  There are a total of 3 tables inside the shop, and while they had a delightful, fresh floral arrangement on each, I got the impression that this was not a place to linger.

Steve and I made our selection of four cupcakes, in record time.  We were able to snag a corner table and eat somewhat removed from the masses.  Here’s what we experienced:

~Red Velvet:  I was pretty determined not to like this one, just because it’s so popular and again all that hype.  But, darn it all for winning me and my stubborn ways over.  It was soft and spongey, the red coloring wasn’t that awful stop-sign-red shade, and the frosting was a neat combination of butter cream and cream cheese.  It was topped with a petite, shiny lavender heart, which I thought was a cute touch.  (The “Simply Red” red velvet cupcake at Cupcakes Actually in Fairfax had similar adornment – I can see why these are popular at Valentine’s Day).

~Toffee Crunch:  A vanilla cake with surprise bits of toffee tucked throughout, topped with a toffee vanilla frosting and crumbs of Heath Bar.  This one I could take it or leave it.  I left it actually, after I had my bite, for Steve to finish off since he seemed to really like it.

~Cherry Cheescake:  This was one of the “seasonal flavors”, and its graham cracker crust bottom impressed me.  This was a new concept for me, and I really like it.  The cherry and mascarpone cheese cupcake with vanilla frosting made for a winning combination.

~Milk Chocolate Birthday:  I think it’s official, a vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting is now my go-to cupcake.  Add a few colorful sprinkles on top and I’m 6 all over again eating birthday cake in sheer delight.  This was a good version, and I especially loved the frosting.  The cake wasn’t overly sweet so it was possible to eat the entire thing without feeling a cavity coming on.

Before I break it down, I feel the need to justify all the line-goers to those that pass by and scoff.  Yeah, it probably does look pretty nutty to see SO many people lined up for just a cupcake.  But that’s just it, it is JUST a cupcake, a $2.75 cupcake, which is a little piece of luxury that almost everyone can afford.  And now that these cupcakes are featured on a TV series, it adds even more value (and more excitement) to our purchase.  An article on this local hot spot, by J. Freedom du Lac in Tuesday’s Washington Post Metro section, discussed how we’re used to seeing people line up (even camp out) for iPhones and iPads and those all cost a lot more than $2.75.  If purchasing a small baked good at a pretty bakery can brighten up a day without putting a serious dent in your budget, shouldn’t that be something worth understanding?  Ok, stepping down from the soapbox now!  Let’s break it down now…

Georgetown Cupcake / 3301 M Street, Washington, D.C. (flagship store)/ www.georgetowncupcake.com / Additional location at 4834 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda, MD.

  1. Price:  $2.75!  This was a surprise, given the all the fame surrounding this cupcakery as well as the affluent neighborhood.  I’ll take it though, and appreciate it – under $3 cupcakes are becoming hard to find.  Looking to buy in bulk?  $15 for half a dozen / $29 for a dozen.

 2. Room temperature:  Yes.  Actually…these may have been just a smidge above room temperature.  Or maybe I was still hot from standing in line?

 3.  Size:  Average.

4. Vegan or gluten free options:  None to be found on the menu.

 5. To-go packaging:  Pretty pink box with a graphic b&w sticker.  I loved the cupcake dividers, the nicest ones I’ve encountered, in that they keep the frosting above the dividers.  Loosing vital frosting on packaging can be discouraging.

Interestingly enough, you have to pay 50 cents if you need a box for a single cupcake, and you can choose to “gift wrap” an individual cupcake for $1.50.  Other to-go items:  I have a hunch that their utensils were those of the biodegradable potato starch kind, which gets a big thumbs up from me.  Napkins were no where to be found, so Steve had to ask for some.  Ask and you shall receive napkins!

6. Milk for sale?:  Yes!  They have that, soy milk, Izze sodas, teas, illy coffee (yum!), lattes, espresso – pretty much everything you’d expect at a cafe.

7.  Other treats for non-cupcake enthusiasts you may have in tow:    No, it’s all about the cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcake.  Their name isn’t misleading in the least.

8.  Ambiance:   If  you can see past the gobs of people, you’ll actually notice the interior is awfully lovely.  Hardwood floors, abundance of natural light, cleverly stacked silver cake stands to display the cupcakes, fun Warhol-esque art work on the wall, fresh flowers on the tables.  But the constant stream of people did leave the floors a bit untidy (it’s crumb city down there) and the table sort of dirty. 

9. Service:  They mean business at Georgetown Cupcake!  They’re efficient for sure, but they certainly didn’t seem like they wanted to chit-chat.  The whole process of standing in line and quickly ordering at the cashier made me feel like herded cattle…which I wasn’t thrilled about.  So, this got me thinking.  One of the reasons why I love visiting all these cupcakeries is, as I mentioned above, it’s a little sliver of luxury for me.  I step into each “boutique” and soak up the scents of vanilla, almond, and cocoa.  I admire the unique displays and sugary creations.  I enjoy all the colors of frostings and get excited about unique sprinkles or innovative cupcake toppings.  It’s inspiring and uplifting.  Maybe some people feel this way walking into Tiffany’s, a Porsche showroom, or even the Apple store.  They like to leisurely browse, try on, take a test drive, etc. of this exciting merchandise.  I find this excitement in cupcakes, which is why you will almost always find me ohhhing and ahhhing, waffling back and forth between flavors, asking questions about ingredients, admiring my surrounding, and so on upon entering a bakery.  At Georgetown Cupcake, I was deprived of this type of experience.  That sounds awfully dramatic, I know.  I’m just saying that having a tasty cupcake is very important, but having a tasty cupcake + an enchanting experience while purchasing and eating a tasty cupcake = me coming back for more!

Final verdict:  That red velvet really hooked me, so it will be sliding into spot #3 on the “Top 10”.  The “Milk Chocolate Birthday” was also a contender and can now be found in spot #7.

Cupcakes Take Fairfax

 This week, my husband and I set out to explore Fairfax Corner a bit – a newer, mixed-use development complete with movie theater, restaurants, shops, interactive water fountain, etc.  It’s seemed like a fun place to shop and stroll.  And what really completes this scene is the cupcakery, Cupcakes Actually. 

Cute and cool is how I would describe the shop, nestled on one of the main street-style blocks.  It’s a petite space, but they really made it beautiful.  We must of given away the fact that we were newbies because of all the “oh my”s and “oh, look at this one”s we exchanged.  The customer at the cash register seemed to be a regular and gave a rave review.  Some things we learned about Cupcakes Actually…

-Their signature cupcakes are the “dipped” selections.  They take a vanilla or devil’s food cupcake, top it with butter cream, and then dip the rounded top into chocolate ganache.  Looking at these, I felt a nostalgic pang for Dairy Queen’s dipped cone. 

-The “Simply Red” is their take on the universally popular red velvet, which is also a Cupcakes Actually top seller.  I thought the little red heart topping was a sweet touch.

-They’re currently offering a “Kid’s Cupcake” -each week is a new, fun theme (available Mon.-Wed.).  Also specially featured is a “Poolside Drink Cupcake” – envision pina coladas and margaritas in cupcake form.

So, having my husband with me did not expedite the decision-making process.  In fact, it probably took longer as I bounced ideas off of him.  I think 3 or 4 other people came in and ordered during our powwow. 

We finally settled on the “Actually Dipped Peanut Butter” and the “Mojito”.  Like I mentioned, the “Actually Dipped” cupcake had a devil’s food cupcake that was topped with peanut butter butter cream enveloped in ganache.  Divine!  The cake was perfect consistency, the butter cream was sweet but not too sweet, and the ganache  pulled in all together in perfect peanut butter / chocolate harmony.  The “Mojito” was almost too pretty to eat, with its little sprig of mint sitting right on top of the pillowy, pale green icing.  Again, the cake was just right!  And the whole combination was…interesting.  Not interesting in a bad way.  Just…hard to describe I guess.  I was telling Steve that my taste buds were confused – the icing tasted of creamy, mint ice cream but wasn’t cold like ice cream.  I’m not so sure I’m ready just yet for the “Poolside Drink Cupcake” – my taste buds aren’t ready for that type of complexity.  On a side note, both cupcakes we chose were $3.75 – the pricest cupcake I’ve had to date.

Let me jump in to the breakdown…

Cupcakes Actually / 11944 Grand Commons Ave. Fairfax, VA / www.cupcakesactually.com 

1. Price:  Ranges from $3.05 to $3.75 (but their online menu has a few priced at $3.95 and $4.00.  Speaking of their online menu – there are a ton of different kinds of cupcakes (w/photos) listed on here, it’s quite impressive!)   Also, buy 5 cupcakes and you get 1 free!

 2. Room temperature:  Yes, and ready for the eatin’!

3.  Size:  Seemed to be sized just right – not too big, not too small.  I’m sounding like the goldilocks of cupcakes here.  Since we’re on the topic of cupcake size (excuse me as I digress again!) – in this month’s issue of People Style Watch, the mag claims that regular sized cupcakes are out because “they’ve become expected”.  Mini cupcakes are said to be much cuter.  As for me, I’m all for cupcakeries incorporating mini cupcakes. I mean, I REALLY have a hard time choosing just one flavor.  Or even narrowing it down to two.  With minis, you could experience so many more flavors in one visit.   And yeah, they are pretty darn cute! 

 4. Vegan or gluten free options:  Their flourless chocolate cupcake seemed to be a top-seller, and their website does advertise a “weekly gluten-free cupcake”.

 5. To-go packaging:  Cardboard box with cupcake holders – kept everything nice and tidy. 

6. Milk for sale?:  Yes, as well as coffee, tea, and Hank’s sodas 

7.  Other treats for non-cupcake enthusiasts you may have in tow:   Just cupcakes here.  Well, hang on…they do have t-shirts, aprons, hats and such.  Does that count as other treats?

8.  Ambiance:   They did a great job on the design given a smaller space – like something out of an ELLE Decor magazine.  I loved all the blue tile work, the jazzy (blue-lit) menu, the glass and silver cake stands.  (I appreciate how their website picks up elements of this design, as well!)  The only thing missing was some cool, breezy music.  Not really a place to linger over your treats though – there’s one table inside and two outside.      

9. Service:  Excellent!  There was one woman working the front, and she was not only efficient but very friendly.  She offered up all kinds of information about the cupcakes.

 Final verdict:  The Actually Dipped Peanut Butter was the unanimous winner between me and my husband.  With the steep price as the only drawback, this cupcake will be landing at the #5 spot on the “Top 10” list.

Cupcakes in Clarendon!

This weekend, I had a Crate & Barrel errand to run in Clarendon.  And lately, it seems that I have now trained my mind to automatically think that any “errand” should also involve cupcakes.  A friend had mentioned a cupcakery in Clarendon a couple weeks ago, so I hit up Google again and found BakeShop.  Now my to-do list felt complete.

Clarendon is a vibrant neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia that has seen a serious transformation over the last couple decades.  The area is filled (or maybe even overflowing) with young professionals that quickly hop on and off the Orange Line, zipping back and forth between DC.  Trendy restaurants, boutiques, and chains (like Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, the Apple Store, Whole Food, etc.) seem to keep everyone happily entertained.  BakeShop is slightly removed from the neighborhood’s thriving main arteries, about 2 blocks from Clarendon Blvd.  This, I felt, proved to be a good thing.  Stepping off the beaten path and into the little shop was a respite from all the hustle and bustle.

   Here I was at BakeShop, where cupcakes are “baked daily from scratch in small batches”.  Once inside, it definitely felt like a breath of fresh air.  I had another one of those moments -one of those moments where once inside a new venue with cool decor, I’m looking around all wide-eyed, oohing and ahhing…to myself…probably looking very, very dorky.  Anyway, this place definitely has a cool decor.  Lots of natural light, summery yellow walls, blond wood furniture -it was sort of… minimalist meets sunshine.

Once I soaked up my surroundings, I narrowed in on the cupcakes.  They’re presented on various cake stands, sitting on the front-and-center counter.  (Beyond the cupcake counter, you can see what actually makes up and goes on in this bakery.  This open kitchen is yet another neat element to the breezy decor.)  There weren’t a ton of cupcakes for the buying.  Maybe four or five of each variety.  Still, I hemmed and hawed over which one(s).  I finally decided on the strawberry shortcake and the devil’s food cake.  Got them to go and headed home, where I quickly made and wolfed down 1/2 a P&J sandwich.  This was so I could indulge guilt-free, knowing I wasn’t just eating cupcakes for lunch *ha!*

Final verdict- heavenly!  I loved these cupcakes.  So much that I think they’ll go to the top of the “Top 10”!  They tasted so fresh, and had the perfect cake/frosting ratio.  After I few bites, I was desperate for more.   Little flecks of real stawberry were found scattered throughout the strawberry shortcake.  The airy frosting was pretty in pink, with just the right amount of sugar.  The devil’s food cake was a delectable combination of a rich, yet spongy chocolate cake with light vanilla frosting.  Cake to frosting ratio for both: A!  Their diminutive size was the only downside here.  But I definitely want to go back and try other flavors, like their 7Up cupcake and the Chocolate Nutella. 

Let me break it down now!

BakeShop / 1025 N. Fillmore Street, Suite G, Arlington VA 22201 / www.bakeshopva.com

1. Price:  $2.75

2. Room temperature:  Why, yes!

3.  Size:  These erred on the petite size.

4. Vegan or gluten free options:  They have a chocolate vegan cupcake.  *Little tip here – These are offered Friday through Monday, and it’s best to buy them on Friday when they’re freshly baked.

5. To-go packaging:  An individual, petite cardboard box (for each petite cupcake) and a little logo stick on top.

6. Milk for sale?:   I know I saw coffee, and iced coffee.  Darn!  This is one criteria I keep forgetting to observe.  Sorry I don’t have an answer here!

7.  Other treats for non-cupcake enthusiasts you may have in tow:    They have cookies, ice cream chipwiches, and oatmeal cream pies.  All which sound mighty fine to me!

8.  Ambiance:   I think I pretty much summed this up in my ramblings above.  BakeShop surely gets an A  for ambiance! (oh, look how nicely that turned out). 

9. Service:  Hmm…I’m not quite sure how to best sum this one up.  The two ladies working behind the counter weren’t all over me as soon as I walked in, which was probably for the best seeing as I had lost of oohing and ahhing, hemming and hawing to do.  So, I was left to my own devices there for a while.  Again though, I think this was for the best.  Once I did order, they were very kind and efficient.

Final Verdict:  Both of these cupcakes were equally fantastic, that we now how a tie (between the strawberry shortcake and the devil’s food cake) occupying the #1 spot in the “Top 10” list!