Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Confessions of a Cupcake Stalker

I'm mildly stalking a vegan cupcakery Sweet Avenue Bake Shop. I read their blog, their twitter page, and spend at least a few minutes of each day (mostly in my cubicle) dreaming of feasting on one of their cruelty-free creations.

How can a girl concentrate on work when subjected to punishing images like this?

They've teased me with their photos of a different tea-infused cupcake each week in anticipation of the Alice in Wonderland movie. Tea and cupcakes, two of my favorite things, merged into one? Mmmm. I've salivated from afar over Blueberry Earl Grey Tea, Darjeeling Orange Blossom, and this week's Raspberry White Tea.

And now this! Only available Wednesday and Friday when I'm at work, what a cruel joke life is. Photos courtesy of my love, Sweet Avenue.


Veganize Irish Whiskey Cake at home.

But I digress. When reading their Twitter page I learned Whole Foods in Paramus now has a breakfast panini with soy sausage and Daiya cheese. See, their twitter page is educational. Right? Right?

I still had some money on a gift card. Why? Another check your receipts lesson. I was overcharged a while back on a Preserve razor and replacement blades, and when I brought it to their attention, I got both items for free! A $16 value total.

Here, alas, is the delicious panini, $4.99. The sausage tasted like the Litelife Gimme Lean Sausage I buy at Trader Joe's, but I'm not certain.

And the Daiya cheese. The prices ranged from $4 to $6. Pricey, but still a niche market. I don't love most vegan cheeses, but this is one of the better ones I've tried so far.

Also on their vegan menu: a grilled cheese ($3.99) and a tempeh reuben with sauerkraut, cheese, and a creamy dressing ($4.99). In the mood for a reuben? When visiting Farm Sanctuary, I adored the apple reuben I had at the Grist Mill Cafe. Recreate it at home with vegan thousand island dressing.

And with that, I say sweet cupcake dreams to all, and to all, a good night.

11 comments:

Elaine said...

Too bad I don't still live in NJ; I'd love to meet you and definitely love to visit some of these food places you write about!! (Far less here in Oregon.)

Catherine said...

Thanks, Elaine. I'd love to meet and dine with you too! I've never been to Oregon, but always heard how lush and beautiful it is.

I'm very proud of the veg establishments here. Sweet Avenue and many of these places show how amazing and creative vegan food can be.

This Thrifted Life said...

Oh my goodness, those cupcakes look delish.

Catherine said...

Don't they? I wish I had some Harry Potter-like contraption to travel to the shop instantly!

It's a bit out of the way so I can't justify weekly visits. But such a special treat when I do go. Everyone I know who has tried them (all non-vegetarians/vegans) LOVE them.

Cate said...

Those cupcakes look absolutely delicious! Yum.

Do you spend any time in DC? My dad lives in the Baltimore/DC area and I worked in DC for a summer. Sticky Fingers bakery is fantastic. Everything is vegan and they have the BEST sticky buns. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

Catherine said...

I have been there on business and for pleasure but haven't been to that bakery. Thanks for the tip! That sounds delicious. DC is on my long list of roadtrips.

Teaism in Dupont Circle is my favorite DC tea place. They have the best chai. They also have a cilantro tofu scramble and non-vegan (sigh) ginger scones.

Jovanka said...

I am so glad we don't have anything like that where I live (Ghent in Belgium) or I would be just a fat lady standing in front of their shop wearing stretch pants! Those are fabulous lethal looking things!

I love your blog BTW! I just found it totally by accident when I was google-ing to find out whether Vanessa Paradis was a vegan (she isn't apparently, but both words came up on your blog).

Catherine said...

Thank you so much Jovanka!

I would be too. It's probably better I don't live too close to it, otherwise I'd be there a few times a week.

I adore Vanessa's music, and have mentioned her on my site. Few Americans know anything about her other than that she's Johnny Depp's partner.

Ted Teodoro said...

I just received this email from the APLNJ : Papa Ganache (vegan) Bakery is opening on Saturday March 13th. They are located at 25 Church Street (at the far end of East Front St.) in Keyport, NJ.

Catherine said...

Wow! Thanks for the information. I just looked up Papa Ganache.

http://papaganache.shutterfly.com/

It looks amazing! I think I'd try a toasty hazelnut to start. The more vegan bakeries, the merrier. I'm not near Keyport, but lucky for those who are.

Ted Teodoro said...

Well, it's on the way to the beaches of Sandy Hook or the antique shops of Red Bank. Looks like something to check out this Summer. I hope they have nice, cozy benches to lounge around in and a nice view window for people watching. I expect too much from life.