Noshing in the Midwest: Cupcake

If you live within sixty miles of University Avenue in the Twin Cities, you have probably been affected by the construction of the new light rail system. While I am a big fan of the entire light rail concept, the traffic jams inevitable with such huge projects have been a nightmare. But my own kvetching aside, the small businesses dotting University Avenue are the ones truly suffering. No parking, closed roads, and a ton of debris and dust are keeping customers away and putting these places in jeopardy.

Millie and I did our part yesterday by visiting the adorable coffee shop/bakery/restaurant Cupcake. It has a beautiful outdoor patio resembling a bistro on a Paris side street (I imagine) with imposing wrought iron gates and bright green ivy climbing the amber brick walls.

The inside is equally whimsical. You get the point as soon as you reach for the front door handles- giant metal whisks. Inside, Millie especially enjoys sitting by the plexiglass kitchen windows that allow her to gawk at the bakers with their rows and rows of sprinkles lined up like cheerful little soldiers.

Yeah yeah, but how are the cupcakes? Divine. Fluffy when they should be, dense when expected (try any of the über dark chocolate ones), never too sweet. The flavors come in both traditional, like red velvet, and funky options, like the Cup O' Mud—a chocolate cupcake topped with a ball of chocolate mousse, rolled in crushed chocolate cookies and garnished with a gummy worm. Even their "simple" cupcakes come with fun names, like the Claire Huxtable or the Paris Hilton (yep, it's hot pink.)

But as a freelancer who likes to work out of local coffee shops, the greatest benefit of Cupcake is the extensive menu of fresh lunch items. Two types of quiches are a part of a breakfast menu. Those working through lunch can indulge in soups, salads, hot or cold sandwiches, even paninis. Apple panini anyone?

If you are in the neighborhood, please take the time to stop by and help these wonderful little places. Take a break from the traffic and linger over a creamy cappuccino. Better yet, stop by during the dreadful morning commute and bring a box (or four) of cupcakes to work. It's a win-win any way you look at it.

Millie loved her Have A Nice Day cupcake—a vanilla cupcake with marshmallow topping.