Entre Nous.

A spoonful of sugar

2005/2006 International Cupcake Tour

Stop 6:  Grand Central Baking Company

 

A few weeks ago I made a visit to Seattle's Grand Central Baking Company to sample their cupcakes.  Grand Central's Pioneer Square location is housed in the historic Grand Central Arcade.  Their pastries can be enjoyed by the fireplace or on the cobble-stoned patio. I just adore the buildings exterior, but it was far too chilly to eat outside.  Unfortunately on this visit there was only one flavor of cupcake remaining.  Luckily it turned out to be pretty spectacular.  The flavor was gingerbread with cream cheese frosting.  The cake was moist and the frosting was delicious.  I would like to go back when the have more of a variety of flavors available.   I've heard rumors that they've had such flavors as mojito and peanut butter and chocolate.

 

Out of a possible 5 cakes, 1 being the lowest score

Frosting: 

 

 

CupCAKE:

 

 

Appearance:

 

 

Total Score:

The back story

Today was spent in Seattle on a quest for the perfect tea cup for Beth's Tea Cup Swap.  First stop was Fremont, no luck.  But I was happy to discover that the Jamie Joseph necklace that I've had my eye on at Les Amis was still there.  Then we went to Great Jones Home, which was, surprise surprise, actually open on a Monday.  Then finally made it to The Market.  I stumbled across the perfect teacup at Antiques at Pike Place.  Unfortunately I can't show pictures because that would spoil the surprise.  But lets just say I'm going to have a hard time parting with it.  Then I picked up some of my favorite Market Spice tea and my quest was complete.  So then we headed to Cafe Campagne for a leisurely lunch.   I had the Croque-savoyarde (Parisian ham and Gruyère with vine-ripe tomatoes and a green salad).  So delicious!  For dessert we headed to Grand Central Baking Company for cupcakes (review to come soon).  Then ended our day in Seattle, as usual, at University Village.  I made several Valentine's Day purchases from Williams-Sonoma (heart shaped pink marshmallows!!).  Then we walked to A La Francaise for a snack for the drive home.  But after 26 years they're closing!  So if you live in the Seattle area I recommend taking a trip to A La Francaise before January 21st to bid them farewell.

Bake-sale chic

2005/2006 International Cupcake Tour 

Stop 5:  Macrina Bakery

 

About a month ago I sampled cupcakes from Macrina Bakery & Cafe, and I'm just now getting around to blogging about the experience.  Despite the deceptive appearance, these cupcakes are nothing to write home about.  Perhaps they had been sitting in the case for a while, but I feel a well made cupcake should be able to hold up to a few hours in the display case.  On this visit I sampled two flavors, a chocolate cupcake with ganache frosting and a devils food cake cupcake.  Both were D-R-Y.  In my opinion the worst thing a cupcake can be, is dry.  I expected the devils food cupcake to be exceptional, as it cost $3.50, and was topped with sugared berries.  Unfortunately it was bland.  The chocolate cupcake with ganache frosting was just so-so, as well.  I think a return trip will be necessary to find out if this was an off day, or if Macrina Bakery cupcakes are always this disappointing.   Regretfully these cupcakes are going in the "all fur coat and no knickers" category, pretty on the outside but...

 

Out of a possible 5 cakes, 1 being the lowest score

Frosting: 

 

 

CupCAKE:

 

 

Appearance:

 

 

Total Score:

Legalize frostitution

2005 International Cupcake Tour 

Stops 3 and 4: Pasta & Co and A La Francaise

 

Last weekend I consumed cupcakes from not only one location but two.  Yeah, cupcakes have become my new vice.  Pasta & Co and A La Francaise are both located at University Village, near the University of Washington. Although neither place specializes in cupcakes they do sell several scrumptious looking cupcake varieties ("looking" being the key word).

 

Pasta & Co bakes their cupcakes in the most eye-catching silver cupcake holders (is that what they're called?).  The cupcakes themselves are appealing because of their ordinariness.  No sprinkles or other decorative elements.  Simple and straight to the point.  The chocolate cupcake possessed a moist cake and the frosting was decent, not spectacular or anything.  It was "regular" as you might say in Spanish.  I expected quite a bit from the other cupcake as the cake was almond flavor with a cream cheese frosting.  Unfortunately I was to be disappointed as the cake was dry and there was way too much frosting for my liking.

 

Out of a possible 5 cakes, 1 being the lowest score

Frosting: 

 

 

CupCAKE:

 

 

Appearance:

 

 

Total Score:

   

 

The cupcakes sold at A La Francaise are a bit more visually daring, topped with chocolate chips or coconut.  For the price and the size I desperately wanted to fall in love with these cupcakes.   I am such a fan of A La Francaise, they have not done me wrong up until this point.  But unfortunately their cupcakes were not up to my standards.  I'll get straight to the point.  They were dry.  Plus they were cold, kept in a refrigerated display case.  I mean really, who does that?  The frosting was so-so.  Overall a big huge disappointment.  Of course I will give them a second chance because everyone has an off day.  But really I expected so much more.  

 

Out of a possible 5 cakes, 1 being the lowest score

Frosting: 

 

 

CupCAKE:

 

 

Appearance:

 

 

Total Score:

 

[girl with cupcake by Elizabeth Hendler, desserts display by Wayne Thiebaud] 

Let them eat cupcakes

The 2005 International Cupcake Tour

Stop 2:  Dahlia Bakery

On Sunday I sampled cupcakes from Seattle's Dahlia Bakery.  Dahlia Bakery is located right next to Dahlia Lounge, one of the four restaurants owned by chef Tom Douglas.  Dahlia Bakery sells desserts, pastries and breads from all of Douglas’ restaurants.  This tiny store front bakery creates the most spectacular cupcakes. 

 

Dahlia Bakery sells cupcakes that they refer to as "fancy cupcakes".  The cupcakes come in a variety of flavor combinations all topped with a "fancy" frosting flower.  If you're inclined to purchase a bunch of cupcakes they resemble a bouquet of flowers. 

 

These cupcakes are a bit tiny.  I wouldn't go so far as to call them mini.  But they are quite a bit smaller than the cupcakes sold at Cupcake Royale.  And in regard to cupcakes, size does matter.  I wish they were a tad bigger but only because they are so delicious.  Maybe their size is ploy to get one to purchase several at a time? 

 

I was thoroughly impressed with both the cake and the frosting.  They're so visually lovely and they taste just spectacular.  The cake was moist and the buttercream petal frosting melts in your mouth.  They were simply perfect in every way aside from the petite size.  I highly recommend trying these cupcakes on your next trip to Seattle. 

 

 

Out of a possible 5 cakes, 1 being the lowest score

Frosting: 

 

 

CupCAKE:

 

 

Appearance:

 

 

Total Score:

 

   

   

I'm dying to give 15 cupcakes BUT due to the size I must take away one cupcake.

Have your cupcake and eat it too

So on Saturday I made a visit to Cupcake Royale.  This was my first stop in the 2005 International Cupcake Tour that I am participating in.  Beth at Just My Cup of Tea came up with the idea and I among other people volunteered to participate.  I'm reviewing Seattle's cupcake offerings.  Participants include United States residents and beyond.

 

Cupcake Royale has two locations one in Ballard and one in Madrona.  Cupcake Royale shares space with the coffee shop Verite Coffee which is also owned by the two girls who started Cupcake Royale.  Luckily I'm a fan of the cupcake+coffee pairing.  Owners Jody Hall and Kim Thomas promote themselves as Seattle's FIRST specialty cupcake bakery.  I've only been to the Ballard location but plan to venture to Madrona soon enough.  Cupcake Royale is always booming.  Never have I entered the shop without there being a slight wait. Their hours are superb, during the week they are open until 10:00pm and on Saturdays you have until midnight to fulfill your cupcake cravings.  Apparently the cupcake frosters at Cupcake Royale are referred to as "frosterias".  Cupcake Royale has a variety of cupcakes ranging from Peppermint Paty to Dance Party with Holly Hobbie.  I think I'd love these cupcakes just for their names and appearance alone.  Other names include: Lemon Drop, Ultra Violet, Chocolate Bunny, Triple Threat, Vanilla Bunny, and Ballerina.  Currently they are promoting their Autumn Cupcake Festival flavors (Apple Spice with Caramel Buttercream, Pumpkin with Cream Cheese Frosting and Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting). They also offer baby sized cupcakes for the babies in your life.  If the cupcake itself wasn't enough they also offer cupcake toppers.  Which some might regard as gilding the lily, I just had to buy a handful.  They also carry a variety of T-shirts and hoodies in all shapes and designs.  Some include such slogans as "legalize frostitution".  But back to the cupcakes.  Only the freshest "Mom approved" ingredients are used at Cupcake Royale and the cupcakes are baked daily (all the dairy products are hormone free).  After baking the cupcakes are hand-frosted with buttercream frosting.  To go orders are placed in their bubblegum pink bakery boxes. 

 

The wait at Cupcake Royale can be frustrating especially if you are in a hurry or haven't had your first cup of coffee.  There is always much activity, people coming and going and children misbehaving.  I have found the staff to be a bit short.  They seemed unwilling or uninterested in answering my questions on my first visit.  They apparently want people to know EXACTLY what they want to order once reaching the counter.  I do understand that they want to move people through the line as quickly as possible but you can do so in a friendly manner.   Plus they overcharged us by $12 on our first visit.  Which was a tad annoying.  The shop itself is appealing enough but it's not the type of place where I could see myself spending a leisurely few hours.  There is just too much activity during the day.  I'd like to make a visit later in the evening when the kids are home in bed.  The cupcakes themselves are superb.  The size is just right.  The appearance is magazine spread worthy and they taste sensational.  My favorite cupcakes would have to be Peppermint Paty (chocolate cake, peppermint frosting, chocolate sprinkes) and Dance Party with Holly Hobbie (white cake, pink frosting, rainbow sprinkles).  Out of their three Autumn cupcake flavors I thought Pumpkin with Cream Cheese Frosting and Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting were both delicious but Apple Spice with Caramel Buttercream was just so so.  Despite Cupcake Royale's lackluster service I would HIGHLY recommend making a visit to Cupcake Royale a priority on your next trip to Seattle.  They even do weddings!

 

Out of a possible 5 cakes, 1 being the lowest score

Frosting:              

CupCAKE:

Appearance:

 

Total Score:

 

[The snarky girl in pink is Anna (a little girl I nannyed for in Berkeley) at her 3rd Birthday Party.  The cupcake ornament is from Anthropologie.]