Kitchen No. 324--Tasty Thursday

Happy Tasty Thursday!  I don't even know where to begin.  I'll just start by saying YUM!  

So, on Monday my mom, Fenley and I went to have lunch at Kitchen No. 324.  I have to say we were not disappointed.  The atmosphere is something straight out of NYC.  The food is amazing, excellent, so tasty.  We already have plans to return.

Front entrance of Kitchen No. 324

Dining area with tufted bench seating, tall ceilings all in a  rustic yet modern style

Get ready to be amazed

This is one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten, also known as Fried Chicken Pot Pie.  Rich and creamy with tender free form chunks of chicken, delicately diced veggies and fresh herbs garnished with a crispy fried chicken leg and topped with a flaky pastry crust.

Coffee and dessert bar

Coffee brewing fancy style

Fresh, gourmet, handcrafted baked goods

Sara Sara Cupcakes...

I'm here...I'm here.  Don't worry.  Well, maybe you weren't worried.  Anyway, I know I've been the hugest blogger slacker as of late, but I'm baaack!  I have new ideas for fabulous things to share.

Today I'm reviewing Sara Sara Cupcakes.

I've been to Sara Sara's a few times.  I have to say, it's not a bakery that typically frequent.  I can't really pinpoint the reason I don't go often.  I'm pretty certain I like the cupcakes...we will see in a bit.  Maybe it's the location, or maybe not.  I'll think about it and if I figure it out I'll tell ya.

Location:  Sara Sara's has 2 different locations.  The first, original location is on N.W. 9th street in OKC.  It's downtown, which for me is such a hassle.  I rarely ever go downtown/Bricktown.  The area is so busy.  But every time I have been to the 9th street location it's hopping.  I guess people are going.  The other location is on E. 5th street in Edmond, just West of Hideaway.  This is the location I got my cupcakes today, because I am in Edmond quite often.  I've been 2 or 3 times.  Every time I go in there I'm the only one there.  It's quiet and bare.  I'm guessing people go...I mean it's still open.  But to me both locations are something you have to plan to go to, not something you just stumble upon because you are in the area.

Cost:  At $3.59 per cupcake Sara Sara's is THE highest priced cupcakery I have reviewed so far.  I know Ronny stays away from this place for that very reason.  When I go to get a cupcake I never get just one.   So I'm spending close to $8 for 2 cupcakes.  I'm not being cheap here!  If the cupcakes are amazing I will buy them and so will others.

Selection:  The online menu boasts 22 "everyday" cupcakes.  Now I'm not calling them a liar, but I don't believe I saw 22 different cupcakes.  I mean I didn't count them, but it sure didn't look like 22.  The assortment has a wide variety of flavors and a few that are unique to Sara Sara's...not something you'll see at every other bakery.  I believe they also have seasonal flavors and occasionally a daily special...follow on facebook to find out.

Cupcakes:  Today I choose 2 cupcakes...like always.  I got the chocolate with vanilla frosting and the crimson and cream.

This is a chocolate cupcake topped with vanilla bean butter cream frosting and chocolate shavings.  I'll just be honest, I did not like this cupcake.  The frosting might have been the worst frosting I've had from a bakery that specializes in cupcakes.  It wasn't thick at all...maybe that's why the smear it on.  It was barely sweet and about the only flavor I could discern was butter.  The abundance of butter even coated my mouth in a not so lovely way.  I found myself scraping it off and I NEVER do that.  There was no part of this frosting that I thought was remotely ok.  Now to the cake.  It really wasn't bad.  It was pretty dense, but the flavor was nice and chocolatey.  I wouldn't say this cake was any better than a regular chocolate cake...it was mediocre.  I won't get it again.

This is a red velvet cake (they didn't describe the frosting).  Ok, well...I'll just say after my chocolate cake experience I almost just cut to the chase and threw this one out without even tasting it.  But, I didn't do that.  I took 2 bites.  The frosting was again thin, but this version was quite tangy.  Not my ideal frosting.  The cake tasted like red velvet, but was dry.  Threw it in the trash!

So I think I know why I rarely visit Sara Sara Cupcake.  Can anyone guess why?  Anyone, anyone?  Because I DO NOT think these cupcakes are good.  My own cupcakes are very much tastier and I wouldn't even charge $3.59 a cupcake or $39.00 (what thirty-nine dollars!) per dozen!

*After I wrote my review Sara Sara Cupcakes posted on facebook that they revamped their chocolate cake...now "lighter and fluffier".  You can go see for yourself if you want...I wont!

Sprinkles Cupcakes

Have you guys heard of Sprinkles Cupcakes? I'm guessing so. It really gets a lot of hype. I mean it boasts that Sprinkles originated in Beverly Hills as the FIRST cupcake bakery with loyal customer such as Hollywood stars and epicureans. And the founder, Candace Nelson, is a judge on the Food Network series, Cupcake Wars...a rather tough cookie, I might add.

Ok, so I finally tried these much hyped, highly praised, extremely publicized cupcakes at the Dallas location. You might be able to tell, but I was slightly skeptical. I mean, they might be all talk no taste. Let me tell you, they were delicious! The line around the bakery should have been my clue, but I wasn't a believer until I tried them.

I got two different cupcakes, of course, red velvet and salty caramel. Ronny also got red velvet. I tried the salty caramel first and was amazed at the moist, fluffy cake. The frosting was just enough, not a huge pile, but just right. Then, Ronny tried his red velvet cupcake and said it was the best cupcake he'd had from a bakery...and I always make him try. When I ate my red velvet cupcake I was just as happy with it as Ronny was...the best!

I guess I can sum it up like this, believe the hype. Sprinkles Cupcakes is really an amazing cupcake bakery.

Gigi's Cupcakes...A Really Tasty Review

My quest for the best cupcakes in OKC continues.  Today, I'm reviewing Gigi's Cupcakes.  I've been there a few to many times already and thought you guys needed to hear about it.  My amazing dad got my mom and I both gift cards here for Christmas, so that's why I went today.  I mean, free to me, why not?  Here goes.

Location:  Gigi's has a few different locations around the OKC area.  One by Quail Springs Mall, one in Norman and I believe one at the Outlet Mall (not listed online, but I've seen it).  The fact that Gigi's has different locations makes it a plus in my book.  It is within easy access to people in North OKC and Edmond and also those in South OKC, Moore and Norman and outlet shoppers!  Seems great to me, wherever you're at there's a Gigi's not too far away.

Cost:  At $3.25 per cupcake, Gigi's is what I'd say is right on average for the area.  I mean it sounds totally nuts to pay $3.25 per cupcake, but let me tell you, people do!  About every time I go I have to stand in a line of at least 2 or 3 people, so I guess price isn't driving people away.

Selection:  Today when I went there were 12 different cupcakes listed on the menu with 2 or 3 also listed on the special board.  There were more than enough choices for me...I don't make decisions well.  The only drawback I see is that they have a set menu each day of the week and it always stays the same.  See, I always go on Saturday's, so I never have a different selection from week to week.  I suppose this is easier for them, but what about us loyal Saturday visitors who like different options?  Any way, the selection is really quite big if you take a look at all they offer.  They just need to switch it up a little.

Cupcakes:  Today, I got 2...I didn't want to be too big of a pig!  I chose Amaretto Amore (January special) and White Midnight Magic.  

This is an amaretto cake with amaretto cream cheese frosting, rimmed with almonds.  What did I think?...I wasn't completely overwhelmed with amazement.  The size of the cupcake, and all Gigi's cupcake, is a bit larger than standard.  Actually larger than I prefer.  The cake was nice and spongy.  Not to moist, not to dry.  I could have stood for it to be just a tad lighter and fluffier.  It wasn't overly dense, but I prefer light, airy and moist cake.  The flavor of the cake didn't jump out and say, I'm amaretto.  I almost thought it was just a yellow cake, but not bad flavor.  The frosting was nice and creamy.  Plenty piled high.  The flavor was nice, but I've had amaretto flavored frosting I liked more.  The almonds were a great touch that added a tasty crunch.  Would I get this cupcake again? Probably.  But, at cupcakes to go go I also got an almond flavored cupcake that might just edge this one out, but only by a small dab of almond frosting!

This is a dark chocolate cake with dark chocolate chips, topped with a white cream cheese frosting and chocolate chips, served daily.   So, what did I think?...pretty, pretty tasty.  The cake was nice and chocolatey.  Just the right balance of lightness, moistness and sponginess.  I really can't complain about the cake.  The only possible thing I could say about it is that I didn't detect any chocolate chips in the cake like stated.  The frosting was the best part of the cake.  Gigi's definitely doesn't skimp on frosting, it's always piled super high.  It was sweet and creamy with a smooth vanilla flavor.  And the chocolate chips on top added a contrast to the silky frosting.  Would I get this cupcake again?  Without a doubt I would.  It was a pretty delicious version of a classic chocolate cupcake!

Overall, Gigi's Cupcakes is a must go.  It might just be at the top of my list now!

cupcakes to go go...a sweet review

I've said before that cupcakes are my absolute favorite dessert.  Since I'm such a cupcake fanatic I have taken it upon myself to find the best cupcakes in the OKC area.  Today I'm reviewing cupcakes to go go.  I have been numerous times (I love cupcake) and have tried quite a variety of flavors.

Location:  cupcakes to go go is located in Edmond.  Location wise...I don't know what to say...any location in Edmond can be a hassle to get to.  I'm in Edmond at least once a week, so it works for me.  Oh, they also have a cupcake van "food truck" that will deliver and that makes scheduled stops around OKC and the state, really.  The van makes cupcakes to go go just a little different than other cupcakeries.

Cost:  At $2.25 per cupcake, cupcakes to go go is one of the lowest, if not the lost priced cupcakeries in Edmond.  Ronny considers these cupcakes the best in Edmond based on this factor alone.

Selection:  cupcakes to go go offers a "daily 8" as well as a few different cupcakes each day.  Their menu lists over 40 different cupcakes all named in the theme of travel.  I've tried quite a few different cupcakes and haven't really been disappointed.

Cupcakes:  Today I got 3 cupcakes, Strawberry Hill, Salted Lake Caramel and Coconut Coast.

I am not a huge strawberry cake fan, so this is Ronny's review rather than mine.  This is a strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting (strawberry cream cheese frosting was also available).  "Delightful...it has real strawberries in the cake and I like the crunch candy sprinkles," Ronny.

This is a caramel cake with a salted chocolate frosting.  I have to say I am a little let down, compared to what I've had before.  The cake is marketed as caramel, but all I could make of the cake was a dense, slightly dry white cake.  The frosting was creamy, very rich and chocolate-y.  It had a caramel drizzle on top and sea salt either in the caramel or just on top...I'm leaning toward it just being on top.  There is a chocolate pretzel garnish, I didn't eat it, but can see the tie in between the sweet chocolate and salty pretzel.  Over all the flavor isn't bad...I liked the salty sweet combo...but I wouldn't choose this flavor again solely because of the dense, dry cake.  (Did you happen to notice the cupcake wrapper is pulling away from the cake?  I'm happy to see professionals have this issue too.)

This is a coconut cake with an almond cream cheese frosting.  It was pure coconut goodness.  I have to admit that I did eat this cupcake 2 days after I bought it, so I won't judge the cake on the fact that it was dry (what a bad reviewier I am).  The cake did have a strong coconut flavor...what I would expect from a coconut cake.  There was even coconut in the cake...that's a plus.  The frosting was almost amazing.  The almond flavor was very destinct...I LOVE almond flavoring.  It kinda reminded me of wedding cake frosting (yummy).  I will definately get this one again.

Overall cupcakes to go go is a cupcakery that you need to try.  It is at the top of my list.