Cupcake Hunting Part II

Since our cupcake hunting episode a few weeks ago, I think I've driven everyone nuts with cupcakes. We've now upped our cupcake samples to 10 locations (at least) and still counting. The funny thing, as I've said, is that I didn't even like cupcakes before. Now we've been bringing them to friend's houses, making them on our own, etc. It has become a sick obsession. Here are my thoughts on the new places we've tried: (and now maybe I'll get it out of my system - though I have four more places on my list of places to try)

Star Provisions:
I've tried two different cupcakes here: the S'Mores cupcake and the Vanilla cake with blueberries. These weren't bad but also not my favorites. I'm also a bit disappointed with the icing on the blueberry one. It was whipped cream (and pretty good whipped cream at that) - kinda cheating if you ask me. The cake was light, moist, and not too sweet. However, it was border-line muffin-ish with the blueberries inside. The s'mores was an interesting one. It was a bit on the drier side, but I liked the bottom that had a crispy cookie or crust of some sort. Again, not my favorite cupcakes, but I do love star provisions for everything else!!! (esp their shrimp po 'boys)
Sugar Mama's - Ding ding ding! I think we have a winner!!! I really have a fellow Yelper to thank for this suggestion. He swore me to secrecy about it until they had their wedding contract with them finalized, which it has. This place was my favorite of the bunch. They don't have a store, but you can find the cupcakes at Aurora coffee. Nice light smooth icing, moist cake, mmm... interesting flavors. There is an Aurora coffee in Virginia Highlands and another in Little Five. I think partnering up with Sugar Mama's is the smartest thing Aurora Coffee has ever done because I'm honestly not crazy about their coffee. I've been twice for cupcakes (I've tried three different flavors) now and haven't been disappointed! I'm wary sharing this information because I'd be incredibly sad if I make the trip to Aurora and they have no cupcakes.

Dr. Bombay's - don't bother, though the store itself is cool. It was like tasting freezer-burn cardboard. I'd still go to Dr. Bombay's to chill and get a coffee. It is a cute store with many imported items from the UK.

Belly - Dry and not anything I care to try again. Belly itself is cute. I'll probably make another visit if I'm in the area, but honestly, you can get better food in the area for the same price range.
Table 1280 - mini cupcakes - it probably doesn't count. I usually looooove their pastry chef but the mini cupcakes were really dry.

Whole Foods - These looked questionable and tasting them didn't change my mind. Super gritty icing, more expensive than any of the other cupcakes, dry cake. What's to like? Sorry Whole Foods! I love you but you have awful cupcakes.


Little Cake Bakery - These looked very promising but were on the sweeter side for me, so I prefer Sugar Mama's Cupcakery. The icing is also a bit on the grittier side that I prefer. Below are the Mary Antoinette and the Creamsicle. I thought the Mary Antoinette was definitely unique but again it was too sweet. The creamsicle ended up not tasting creamsicle-like at all. Go to ACF for that. I can see why this place is a favorite for many, but it just isn't my personal favorite.

A second look at:

Atlanta Cupcake Factory: Not as good the second and third time around. These were on the doughy side sometimes and at other times a bit dry side. I do find the flavors very interesting so I'll probably be back at some point to try what I haven't yet.

Matty Cakes: This just isn't my style of dessert. I went back as promised and tried their suggestion - a double chocolate cupcake. Too rich and dense for a cupcake. I can see why some people may like it but I'm not a fan.

Cupcake Hunting Part I detailed here

Star Provisions - I never knew I liked Po'Boys

Saturday was perhaps one of our most memorable days of Atlanta Eating...We started the day off at Star Provisions and later on to Aurora Coffee to get some work done. (and for a Sugar Mama's Cupcake) For dinner, we went to Tomo. (discussed in length in my last entry) We topped off the evening with drinks at JCT Bar.

I'm not sure why I never tried Star Provisions for more than the cheese, (I've always liked their cheese station) but I'm now officially a fan. Star Provisions To-Go is a great environment for a lazy weekend lunch. It is cute and relaxing - great place to sit outside on a nice day! Yes, it is pricier than most sandwiches, but they use the freshest ingredients and it is well worth it. There is also a farmer's stand outside that sells produce. I didn't really see anyone buy anything, but the vegetables were went gorgeous. Anyway, onto our lunch:

Shrimp Po: Loved it! I highly recommend this sandwich. I'm usually not a big fan of po-boys, but SP uses really delicious and large sized shrimp. The shrimp are lightly fried and perfectly seasoned. They could stand a lone without the sandwich. The bread was also delicious - soft and great for this type of sandwich. The tomatoes they use are organic local tomatoes.

Falafel: This was a recommendation by the guy behind the check-out register. Thank you check-out-register-guy! Yum! I'll be honest, it wasn't the best falafel I've had, but it was flavorful and I'd order it again. The ingredients - lettuce, tomatoes etc. again were very fresh adding great color and taste!

Pickles: These came with the sandwiches. Not bad and not too salty!

Cupcakes - These aren't bad. I've had better cupcakes in Atlanta for certain, (I even had a better one later that day) but the cake of the original was nicely done - light and not overly sweet! It wasn't dry, but it could have used a slight more moisture for a cupcake. What I wasn't a fan of was the whipped cream on the top. I like light icings, but whipped cream seems a bit like cheating when it comes to a cupcake. The s'mores cupcake (that I tried on a different day) was a bit dry, although I really liked the concept and the crispness of the bottom of the cake.

Ham and Cheese Spiral Muffin - It looked so beautiful that I had to buy it. It was tasty all the way through. I was not disappointed but probably will not be purchasing it again.

I'll definitely be back to Star Provisions in the near future. I'd really like to try the hot dog there. It looked great and many people seem to be getting it - maybe they know something I don't.