Some sweet and savory shots from Saint Cupcukes Galore grand opening party on Friday Sept 16. The celebration offered free bites and beverages to celebrate their larger kitchen and storefront location, which also is more centrally downtown @ SW 12th and Morrison where there is regularly lots of foot traffic.
The atmosphere of people at the completely free event was buzzing and appreciative and supportive, with lots of Mmmms and smiles all around as people shuttled in and out as they ooohed at the visual presentations and the flavors in their mouths and sipped water, or complimentary champagne, beer or milk. It was never so uncomfortably packed that you couldn't enjoy yourself and find some available snacks to try- the staff magically always kept all the samples always stocked.
Examples of the delights: Toasted coconut cream mini-cupcakes and fudge on chocolate mini-cupcakes and bonbonbunbuns of cinnamon sugar covered light airy brioche bites (which sometimes you could catch them still warm as they were restocking) welcomed you when you entered.
On the counter were showcased more lovely cupcakes in regular size. Also to try were savory offerings of Caramelized onion and gruyere pocket pies, Bacon Wrapped Crackers, Ham and cheese brioche buns.
My favorite so I went back for a second were the ham and cheese brioche buns. They remind me of the wonderful baked goods you can get so easily in Asia where apparently the European bakery has had a stronger influence… the caramelized onion and gruyere pocket pies were also high on my list. I don't know why there aren't more of these kind of offerings at all bakeries as they were so common in Asia. At least I can get a fix now knowing I just need to visit Saint Cupcake rather then fly across the world.
Someone mentioned how delicious the smoked chocolate chip cookies were (the flour is smoked) and I had heard about them in WWeek's spotlight, but I couldn't find them while I was there, although I tried several other kinds of cookies along the way so the journey was pretty satisfying. Also I made my friend put back her chocolate butter cookie so I could get the 3 hedgehogs together. They also come as dinosaurs. Hee!
It's just one of those places where you can't help but walk out comforted and feeling cheered up and happy, like a sophisticated version of browsing a candy store, and I'm certain I'll be back again and again. Even though I am not usually someone who enjoys sweets, the savories they have would be a great fuel in the morning or as a snack with your coffee during your day (even if you're vegan- they have vegan cupcakes!)- and what you see above is only a sample of what they are exploring now that they have a larger kitchen. As a tease, on their FB they have mentioned Fig bars with maple & sea salt, Pecan Pie bars, blackberry pocket pies, Saigon cinnamon rolls, vegetarian brioche tarts with onion jam, goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, and green onion, Bacon scones with bacon/fig compote…
