Seconds after reading this posting, I found this in my email.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/dinin ... ref=dining

Looks like it might never end. Although I am a fan of cupcakes. Not so much the craze. I love having a piece of cake but a whole cake is generally not feasible. I like nice sized cupcakes. The mini ones I could eat 6 before I realized it would be a problem. And I won't pay for cutesy decorations. Thats just silly. I think part of the fun of cupcakes is making them yourself and experimenting with different cake and frosting combinations. Plus I've been able to perfect a few cake recipes by making cupcakes.

I guess as a guy who lives by myself, the whole thing is gone and then return to real food for the entire cake in my fridge, some times we can't mange on not going to eat some cake in fridge but it is kinda hard once you seen it when you open the fridge.



_________________
Travel ins

I have gone back and forth on the cupcake craze. It was cute at first, then I got annoyed with the high prices and it being everywhere. I appreciate it's portion size for those of us that just want to satisfy a sweet craving for 1 or 2. When I bake, I prefer to bake a whole cake, but can't deny the cuteness of cupcakes sometimes.

Anyway, I was shocked to read today's edition of Chicago Magazine's "Dish" newsletter:

Dish Newsletter wrote: Sur La Table (52-54 E. Walton St.; 312-337-0600) is vacating its massive Gold Coast space right after holidays, and one of the new occupants of the space will be Sprinkles, a Beverly Hills–based cupcake place. “We have been looking for a Chicago location nonstop since 2005,” says Charles Nelson, an owner. “We had a really specific criteria of where we wanted to be: South of Oak, north of Chicago and between Michigan and Rush.” Bulls-eye. We are less surprised about SLT’s closing (and, potentially moving to another spot in the neighborhood) than puzzled by the eternal question: Who in God’s name is eating all these cupcakes?

That space is huge! Does Sprinkles really need ALL that space!?!

Pucca wrote:I have gone back and forth on the cupcake craze. It was cute at first, then I got annoyed with the high prices and it being everywhere. I appreciate it's portion size for those of us that just want to satisfy a sweet craving for 1 or 2. When I bake, I prefer to bake a whole cake, but can't deny the cuteness of cupcakes sometimes.

Anyway, I was shocked to read today's edition of Chicago Magazine's "Dish" newsletter:

Dish Newsletter wrote: Sur La Table (52-54 E. Walton St.; 312-337-0600) is vacating its massive Gold Coast space right after holidays, and one of the new occupants of the space will be Sprinkles, a Beverly Hills–based cupcake place. “We have been looking for a Chicago location nonstop since 2005,” says Charles Nelson, an owner. “We had a really specific criteria of where we wanted to be: South of Oak, north of Chicago and between Michigan and Rush.” Bulls-eye. We are less surprised about SLT’s closing (and, potentially moving to another spot in the neighborhood) than puzzled by the eternal question: Who in God’s name is eating all these cupcakes?

That space is huge! Does Sprinkles really need ALL that space!?!

That's insane. That would be like an American Girl Place of cupcakes (i.e. one of the circles of hell). I guess Dish says the cupcake place will be just one of the new occupants, so they're going to divvy up the space?

Sprinkles, a Beverly Hills–based cupcake place. “We have been looking for a Chicago location nonstop since 2005,” says Charles Nelson, an owner.

Please tell me that's only 2/3 of his full name.

happy_stomach wrote:

Pucca wrote:I have gone back and forth on the cupcake craze. It was cute at first, then I got annoyed with the high prices and it being everywhere. I appreciate it's portion size for those of us that just want to satisfy a sweet craving for 1 or 2. When I bake, I prefer to bake a whole cake, but can't deny the cuteness of cupcakes sometimes.

Anyway, I was shocked to read today's edition of Chicago Magazine's "Dish" newsletter:

Dish Newsletter wrote: Sur La Table (52-54 E. Walton St.; 312-337-0600) is vacating its massive Gold Coast space right after holidays, and one of the new occupants of the space will be Sprinkles, a Beverly Hills–based cupcake place. “We have been looking for a Chicago location nonstop since 2005,” says Charles Nelson, an owner. “We had a really specific criteria of where we wanted to be: South of Oak, north of Chicago and between Michigan and Rush.” Bulls-eye. We are less surprised about SLT’s closing (and, potentially moving to another spot in the neighborhood) than puzzled by the eternal question: Who in God’s name is eating all these cupcakes?

That space is huge! Does Sprinkles really need ALL that space!?!

That's insane. That would be like an American Girl Place of cupcakes (i.e. one of the circles of hell). I guess Dish says the cupcake place will be just one of the new occupants, so they're going to divvy up the space?

I guess I was too shocked to actually read the details!

Dish Newsletter wrote:...“We had a really specific criteria of where we wanted to be: South of Oak, north of Chicago and between Michigan and Rush.” Bulls-eye...

Given the neighborhood, one has to wonder what those blue sprinkles really are made of.

-Dan

I'm shocked SLT is closing. I thought they were doing quite well.

I stopped going to that Sur La Table the instant they opened one in a neighborhood you could actually drive to and park in.

I'm shocked SLT is closing. I thought they were doing quite well

.

It's just that one location that's closing. I've go to think the rents are pretty high there.

rickster wrote:

I'm shocked SLT is closing. I thought they were doing quite well

.

It's just that one location that's closing. I've go to think the rents are pretty high there.

Even for its size, that location is pretty cramped, especially compared to the new one at North & Clybourn (which also has free parking w/ purchase, as Mike mentioned...though they've been cool in the past about validating the ticket without purchase if you don't find what you're looking for).

I'd say it's even money that they're going to take a cue from Barney's, who ditched their former cramped location to move to a custom-built monstrosity across the street, and look for bigger digs (maybe the former Barney's space?), or they're going to bail on the Gold Coast altogether and tell folks to head to State & Chicago to take the red line to their North & Clybourn store.

Swirlz deal on Groupon: $20 for 1 dozen cupcakes.
http://www.groupon.com/deals/swirlz-cup ... newsletter

Pie Lady wrote:Swirlz deal on Groupon: $20 for 1 dozen cupcakes.
http://www.groupon.com/deals/swirlz-cup ... newsletter

I haven't been to this place, which is a bit of a surprise. Are these cupcakes good?

How do they rank compared to Molly's, Phoebe's, Sweet Mandy B's, More, & Sugar Bliss?

pairs4life wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:Swirlz deal on Groupon: $20 for 1 dozen cupcakes.
http://www.groupon.com/deals/swirlz-cup ... newsletter

I haven't been to this place, which is a bit of a surprise. Are these cupcakes good?

How do they rank compared to Molly's, Phoebe's, Sweet Mandy B's, More, & Sugar Bliss?

I'm not a Swirlz fan. Frosting kinda tastes like over-whipped margarine or something... a little off.

Haven't been to Phoebe's and don't care for Sugar Bliss either. If I were to rank, I'd say:
#1- more
#2- Sweet Mandy
#3- Molly's
And then I'd also add Bleeding Heart.

~M@

I didn't care for Swirlz. Out of the Lakeview places, I'd say Phoebe's and Molly's are tied, and I'd never return to Swirlz.

If you love frosting, the frosting-to-cupcake ratio at Phoebe's was nearly 1:1. The Death by Chocolate cake could have been a tad more chocolatey, but it was airy and fluffy and topped with rich, creamy, cocoa-laden frosting and chocolate sprinkles (always a plus, for me). The Peanut Butter Cream Pie was outstanding—the custard filling was rich but not heavy and the peanut butter buttercream was whipped into a creamy puff.

Molly’s has the largest “menu," with about 16 cupcakes, plus ice cream, cookies, etc. The Chocolate Raspberry Cupcake was filled with quite a bit of raspberry jam, topped with the perfect amount of dark chocolate frosting and a fresh berry. The meringue on the Lemon Meringue Cupcake did not cause a dry cake as I expected; it had a marshmallowy texture that complimented the squirt of lemon curd filling. Although I appreciate that finally someone understands what a filled cupcake should be like—many bakeries squirt barely more than a drop into their treats—the cupcakes at Molly’s were almost overshadowed by the filling. In my opinion, the filling should take up about a third of the interior, and Molly’s was about half—but now I’m just nitpicking.

Swirlz’s cupcakes are the most artistic, and considering the presentation and a price almost twice that of Molly’s, I was expecting something great. Sadly, that was not the case. The Red Velvet cupcake was lacking in flavor and not as moist as other red velvet cakes I’ve had in the past. The Mango Passion Fruit was so bland that if I were blindfolded, I would have thought I was eating ordinary yellow cake. The amount of filling was so paltry I had to squint to see it. The frosting, however, was quite yummy—definitely fruity with a tangy finish. The passion fruit seeds were a nice touch, but at $3.50 I felt cheated. I see no reason to go to Swirlz when Molly’s is practically right around the corner.

I love the cupcakes at Sweet Honeybee Bakery - I think it's 1918 W. Montrose. They're really moist, and only around $2 apiece. Yum!

The Cupcake Gallery opened today in Uptown.
1319 W. Wilson
1-773-527-5633
http://www.cupcake-gallery.com/

Went to the opening of The Cupcake Gallery yesterday. I was kinda psyched to see the cupcake craze land so close to home.

Upon entry, I was grossly disappointed. The space was abhorrent, and I felt like I was in someone's poorly ventilated storage unit. The menu was lengthy & intriguing with items like the Arnold Palmer, Banana Flambe & Butter Pecan. However, only 6 or so flavors were on hand.

I went with the Cookies n' Cream. It was actually pretty damn good. Wonderfully, finger lickingly moist & sized just right, a little smaller than most & without a pigpile of frosting. This made for the perfect lil mid-afternoon snack. Oh, and the frosting was quite divine; silky smooth & sweet, with well-balanced whisps of buttery richness.

All in all, I'll have to psyche myself up to face the detestable atmosphere, but I'll likely be back for some luscious cupcakes.

~M@

BF and I drove past on our way home this evening and agreed that The Cupcake Gallery's physical space is almost enough to deter us from wanting to try it even though we live only 1 block away. It was previously a chicken and ribs restaurant and the new owner has done little to make it feel like anything different. Oddly partitioned space, cafeteria-like tables, a lonely cash register with no beautiful cupcake display. Perhaps he should have saved a little more money and waited to open until the place looked legit.

It's a bit behind the "craze" curve, but Bleeding Heart just opened its Oak Park outpost. Combine that with another cupcake place on its way as well as Red Hen, and Oak Park's inexplicable bakery deficit suddenly disappears! Huzzah!

Speaking of Oak Park, we just got incredible cupcakes for my daughter's birthday here:

http://mysoireesandsweets.com/

She's home-based and excellent, and she delivers. Reasonable, too.

Actually the other cupcake place that was supposed to be coming to the Oak Park area has opened in Uptown instead. But that's okay, Bleeding Heart seems like it's just what we need. I went in there on Sunday and bought a few cupcakes and cake balls (kinda like munchkins, but not fried). They're a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Vitesse98 wrote:It's a bit behind the "craze" curve, but Bleeding Heart just opened its Oak Park outpost. Combine that with another cupcake place on its way as well as Red Hen, and Oak Park's inexplicable bakery deficit suddenly disappears! Huzzah!

Speaking of Oak Park, we just got incredible cupcakes for my daughter's birthday here:

http://mysoireesandsweets.com/

She's home-based and excellent, and she delivers. Reasonable, too.

I can't wait to try the Oak Park Bleeding Heart location. I have to say that I have been somewhat disppointed by Chicago's cupcake options. My number 1 in terms of taste is Sweet Mandy B's. Swirlz and Molly's were not worth a second trip for me. I haven't tried More, but maybe this weekend.


Anne

Just wanted to give a quick thanks to the folks that came to our soft opening this past weekend. We're open, but only offering a limited selection until we do our Grand Opening on 11/22.

Regarding the space - I agree, it needs work. However, just getting open was a struggle. We're in a recession and I had investors drop on me left and right. I spent my severance and life savings on getting the place open - and finally we're open. My goal is to do one thing - make THE BEST cupcake you've ever had - and from the sounds (and finger licking) it seems like that's happening. We've got plans to renovate in about 6-months or so. I thank you guys for the support you've given thus far!

-Darius
Owner, The Cupcake Gallery

Thanks for posting, Darius.

I wouldn't let a little thing like bad decor keep me from the BEST cupcake I've ever had - I'll have to stop by sometime. (Don't suppose you make any sugar-free?)

Posting a notice in the shop saying "Thanks for your patronage, we'll be working on renovating the space in the next few months!" can go a long way towards avoiding those types of problems.

Kudos for starting a new business in this economy.

Llama wrote:I wouldn't let a little thing like bad decor keep me from the BEST cupcake I've ever had - I'll have to stop by sometime. (Don't suppose you make any sugar-free?)

Or gluten-free? ~hoping~

Yup - we have gluten free!!! All flavors come in gluten free!

TheCupcakeGallery wrote:Yup - we have gluten free!!! All flavors come in gluten free!

No shit?! Typically I get to choose between...one flavor. Or no cupcake at all.

I'm technically not supposed to have sugar either, but what the hell.

I visited the Cupcake Gallery yesterday. I didn't get to try any since they haven't started making the GF cupcakes yet, but I picked up a red velvet for my husband and a caramel creme for a friend. The cupcakes received rave reviews - they both licked the wrappers!

The space is not great, though. While I was there I tried visualizing how to make it cozier - ditch the orange walls, get works from local artists on the walls, etc etc.

TheCupcakeGallery wrote:Yup - we have gluten free!!! All flavors come in gluten free!

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:I didn't get to try any since they haven't started making the GF cupcakes yet...

So, they're advertising having GF versions of all of their flavors, but aren't actually making them yet?

-Dan

dansch wrote:

TheCupcakeGallery wrote:Yup - we have gluten free!!! All flavors come in gluten free!

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:I didn't get to try any since they haven't started making the GF cupcakes yet...

So, they're advertising having GF versions of all of their flavors, but aren't actually making them yet?

-Dan

This is the "soft" opening, they will open for reals on the 20th. Right now they're sort of picking flavors randomly, apparently.