cupcakes! January 11, 2007

It’s my birthday today so I thought I should write about something dear to my heart — cupcakes! I’m in gorgeous, sunny San Francisco this week, and got to meet up with Jo, Natalie, Tricia, Nancy, and Nicole for dessert at Citizen Cake last night to celebrate early, which was so nice. And of course I had to have a birthday cupcake, which arrived beautifully decked out!

my birthday cupcake!

It was so nice to see everyone, and the desserts (and wine) were amazing. On the way out, I stopped to buy a six-pack of yesterday’s cupcakes to bring home, and the woman working gave them to me as a present! Then she insisted that I take another pack (!) and let her know what I thought of them, so I ended up with twelve of their beautiful cupcakes, in five different flavors, as a surprise birthday gift. So after Andrew and I each had a chocolate mint one at midnight, we have ten left… a nice problem to have. I think the other guests at our hotel will appreciate them.

If you’re on the hunt for cupcakes, here are a few of my favorite places here on the West Coast. I’d love any other recommendations so let me know if I missed somewhere incredible!

Seattle:

Cupcake Royale, 2052 Market St. in Ballard, 206-782-9557
I would plan a trip to Seattle around a visit here. I love the lavender and the chocolate mint frostings especially.

Portland:

Bakery Bar, 1028 SE Water Ave., 503-546-8110
My favorite here is the coconut, it’s blissful. Perfect with a cup of coffee (or beer or wine, during happy hour) too.

Saint Cupcake, 407 NW 17th (and coming soon to 33rd and Belmont), 503-997-3674
I love that you can get a dozen minis in an egg carton, and mix and match them so you get to try everything… plus a cup of coffee = perfect afternoon.

San Francisco:

Citizen Cake, 399 Grove St. in Hayes Valley, 415-861-2228
Just wonderful in every sense of the word.

Citizen Cupcake, 2 Stockton St. (3rd floor of the Virgin Megastore), 415-399-1565
Their sister shop, which I can only assume is just as lovely. Next time I’m in the city I’ll check it out for sure.

Los Angeles:

I haven’t found my spot yet! Though I love the Alcove for every other kind of dessert, I don’t especially like their cupcakes much. I’ve heard great things about Auntie Em’s and Joan’s on Third. I think I better do some more research…

Update: thank you so much to Erin, Christine, Eva, and the ladies of ReForm School for the super LA cupcake recommendations! Here they are… and I will definitely be trying them all out.

Doughboy’s

Toast

Sprinkles

Frosted Cupcakery

Leda’s Bake Shop

(plus a place at the Grove, Pitfire Pizza in North Hollywood, and Solly’s in the Valley)

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