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... 
There's a "cupcake" shop in NY. They only just cupcakes. I don't know the name of it. It's on Avenue A, I think.
Posted by: Andrea | January 11, 2006 at 09:24 AM
hey there! i posted a link to your review! it will go up around 10:40 EST
thanks again for participating in the tour...it is hard work, but someone has to do it!
xo
Posted by: Beth | January 11, 2006 at 09:40 AM
Macrina should stick with bread...that's what they do best.
I stopped by Belle's on the way in to the office and got a fabulous Mocha made with Dark Chocolate (they use Cafe Vita coffee YAY!)...a Pear Almond Brioche Bun and a Jambon et Fromage on Baguette...I'm all set!
They nice lady behind the counter told me they are opening another Belle's right across from De Laurenti in the Pike Place Market. Cool!
Posted by: Steph | January 11, 2006 at 02:02 PM
Andrea, NYC really does have such an abundance of specialty cupcake shops.
Beth, thanks so much for the post. I've had such fun with the cupcake tour and will be sad to see it come to an end.
Steph, I concur that Macrina should stick with bread. Glad to hear Belle is doing well enough to open another location. Your breakfast and lunch sound sensational.
Posted by: Vanessa | January 17, 2006 at 12:43 PM