One thing the Mrs. and I share is a love of sweets, treats, and goodies. We have been known to structure a Saturday around a trip to the Flour Bakery down near the waterfront, or to Lyndell's in Ball Square.
We've heard from several people that we have to try the cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery in Greenwich Village. On our visit last summer we attempted to do so, only to find the line out the door, around the corner, and a good way down the block. It was around 8:30 on a Saturday evening in June, so it was definitely prime post-dinner walk-around-and-get-a-cupcake time, and we probably should have known better.
This time we decided to try again on Sunday evening, hoping the place wouldn't be quite so mobbed, and we did in fact make it in the door, but just barely. Just ahead of us there was a cluster of maybe five mewly, bratty kids squirming around with a couple of bored-looking downtown moms. Then I noticed that the trays of cupcakes were set out in the window, the idea being that you're supposed to make your selections and then wait to pay. I started thinking about how many of the cupcakes those kids might have touched, and suddenly I didn't want a cupcake anymore.
Uh, you weren't prepared for this? Did you believe that the bakery person might actually lift a finger to GET YOUR CUPCAKE FOR YOU? At Magnolia, there's way too much attitude to leave any room for service. You need to be pumped for fighting off the kids, their overdressed moms, and the other yupsters to win the cupcake of your choice.
ReplyDeleteLyndell's moon cakes are much nicer anyway — and thanks again for introducing me to them!
We've encountered very little attitude on our trips to New York. Just lucky I guess. Bad economy makes people treat their guests a little nicer?
ReplyDeleteBut really, I don't think I've ever been in a bakery where the goods were out in the open.