It’s Opening Day at the Cupcake Cafe!

Posted March 27th, 2010 | Permalink

A while back I wrote a post about a brilliant idea my mother and I shared for a new business; a cupcake cafe. A completely new, unique idea.
NOT.
Days after my post, I learned that Cupcake Cafe’s are everywhere. Everywhere but here, that is. My sister-in-law told me there are TWO in her town alone. So, I guess they aren’t just in NYC where there are millions of people.

Since then, I learned from my friends on Facebook that a new cupcake cafe is opening in my hometown, Saratoga Springs, NY. I’ve been following the preparation and opening of this new hotspot. I met with the owners two weeks ago during a visit home.

Mike and Liz are opening The Cupcake Lab and Cafe, at the top of the old theatre building on North Broadway. They’ve taken over the “attic” of the building, which has two entrances: one up the stairs from the main entrance to the building, and an exclusive entrance at the back on the Long Alley side. The space is wide open, with high vaulted ceilings, and treated with crisp, clean decor. It’s unlike any other restaurant or eating venue in town.

Inspiration for the design of the space came from a magazine article that was given to Mike and Liz by a local architect (who happens to be my very talented father). The images in the article showcased a modern retail location laden with light, smooth bamboo counters, lots of glass and bright backlighting. Liz and Mike translated the design to their needs, using similar materials to create a cafe where guests will feel free to speak above a whisper, settle in with their laptop, bring their kids for an afternoon snack, or hold a meeting with clients.

Obviously, the cupcakes take center stage. And I’ve tried them.
I can tell you, they are SO good. I was lucky enough to try a cherry filled cupcake with a buttercream frosting that was out of this world. Light as whipped cream and stocked with amazing flavor. My daughter scarfed down a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting. Her eyes said it all, “Can I have three more?”

Though the cupcakes rule the roost, there is plenty more to grab you at the Cupcake Lab. The Cupcake Lab and Cafe will offer daily food specials, sandwiches and soup for the lunchtime crowd, specialty coffees and tea, and meals to take home for the family when you’re running short on time. Got three kids headed to three different sports tonight?  Liz is known for her macaroni & cheese – pop in and grab some to take home. It’s award winning. Literally. Just last week Liz’s Mac & Cheese won the Kids Choice Award at the “Table Hopping Mac & Cheese Bowl” – best of fourteen restaurants.

And further plans are on the table too. For instance, how about a big screen set up high on a wall that will continuously play old black and white silent films. And wouldn’t the Cupcake Lab be the perfect place to hold your next business meeting or employee party? You just keep thinking about that.

The staff is ready; all trained up as Coffee Baristas (each cup is individually brewed just for you). Mike and Liz have fine-tuned the details. The beautiful new machines and appliances are ready to go. While I can’t be at the opening in person, I’ll be there in spirit, gulping down cupcake after cupcake with a nice hot cappuccino. All of you Saratogians, check it out and let me know what goodies you find. I can’t wait to hear!

The Cupcake Lab and Cafe is open NOW! Open all weekend with a limited menu and plenty of cupcakes, and then OPEN with a bang on Monday. Get there this weekend and be one of the first. It’s worth dropping whatever you’re doing. Including reading this post. Now Go!

Lord Licorice, may I have a minute?

Posted February 10th, 2010 | Permalink

My husband will be making an annual pilgrimage this week. He’ll leave his office, head down the cold, winter streets, pulling his coat closer to keep out the wind, walking swiftly to shorten the journey. It’s 5 blocks. Or, maybe 4.

Once there, he’ll order up some Red Hots, some Mexican Hats, a couple of gold coins, maybe a Scottie Dog or two.

He’ll have it all packaged up in pretty, red boxes, and bring it home to his adoring fans.

It’s a trip he makes every year just before Valentine’s Day.
And just before Christmas, and just before Easter, and just before Mother’s Day and my birthday and the kids birthdays and many other times. And it’s a trip we make as a family every time we’re in the Old Port in Portland (we took these pics on our last visit, so we could remember all the good stuff forever…until our next visit).

Old Port Candy Company.
Ever been there? Of course. How could you not? Best fudge, coolest candies, all your childhood favorites. Crazy stuff. We love it. I love those wax bottles with a tiny bit of juice in ‘em. Or, how about the Neopolitan Coconut Slices, remember those? All pink and white and brown? And those little skinny candy cigerettes that puff a little sugar when you exhale. Love those. And did I mention the fudge?

Oh, I did?

At this time of year, of course, there are special chocolates, truffles and boxes of fudge, all wrapped in red, velvet boxes. Add a little Bochox, and I’d say you can’t go wrong. How about bacon flavored jelly beans? Who doesn’t love bacon? Or let’s have some chocolate dipped Twinkies, shall we, or maybe some chocolate dipped potato chips. Oh, those sound SO good to me. Salt…sweet…

Anna, the Candy Queen at Old Port Candy Co has culled the best collection of new and old, hot and sour, sweet and sassy. She’s a candy lover. Through and through. The best part about Old Port Candy Co is that Anna loves ALL KINDS of candy, and it shows. She’s always seeking out the candies that you can’t live without. And when you walk in, you can tell that you’re in a shop run by someone who loves what they do. She’s like Willy Wonka. She’s probably got a bunch of Oompa Loompas out back, dipping Ring Dings into a huge vat of warm, gooey chocolate. Just for you.

Probably.

And she makes it really easy for you. Because she likes to share in the candy joy.

I usually call ahead before Christmas and give her a list, “This is what I want my husband to buy when he comes in…Oh, and don’t let him forget these…And, we can’t live without these…” And sometimes, when it’s a surprise for my husband, I just order online and have her send it to me. Why take chances?

Anyway, I’m pretty excited to see what Cupid brings this year. For the kids, maybe some chocolate hearts, some fire balls, some gummi crocodiles. For me…let’s see, will it be chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate licorice? Or, will it be my favorites: chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate licorice.

Corey on Pleasant

Posted November 23rd, 2009 | Permalink

We went on a wander this past Saturday and spent the day in Portland. We stopped in many stores, poking about, admiring many things. One of our first stops was COREY & CO on Pleasant Street. We were pretty enthralled – all four of us – with this little shop (and no, it wasn’t just because there was a “tweenie” black-and-tan dachshund waddling about the space greeting us as only a dachshund can.)

The “sign” hanging above the door on the exterior of the building caught my attention against the brick and blue sky – a dress form made of wire subtly hints at what’s inside. The windows drew me in – aprons. You know how I love aprons.

Once inside, there was so much to explore in such a tiny space. And the owner, Barbara, is cool. I mean, really cool, like, we-could-be-friends-cool. She is not only the owner, but also the designer and creator of much of the clothing and accessories that she sells. Yes, she sews. And I’m not at all jealous of her sewing space within the shop. Not at all.

And when I asked about her creations she said,

EVERY DAY. She tries to make SOMETHING every day.

Imagine if we could all make something every day.

The shop space is small, but full of so many captivating things, so well displayed that it doesn’t feel crowded at all. It’s colorful, insightful and inspiring. And I could make a long Christmas list in there. Interesting jewelry, brightly colored espadrilles, beautifully made clothing, and aprons. Oh, did I mention those already?

I wouldn’t just list the inventory though. Some of the fixtures would make the top of my list. I particularly liked the chalkboard paint on the beam that rises floor to ceiling where Barbara casually jots down phone numbers and notes. And the glass covered cake stand displaying goodies inside. I mean, what’s the point of a cake stand if you can’t use it every day?

Check out the COREY & CO blog where Barbara offers insight into how and why she does what she does, talks a bit of shoptalk, and shows you some snippets of her world. And then, pop over to 19 Pleasant Street and say hello. When you get back, let me know if my favorite necklace is still there. It’s the one made of three layers of metal washers linked together. I think it has my name on it, if you look closely.