Stunning Blooms on Cake July 2, 2009

When I was living in New York two years ago after business school taking my 200 hour yoga teacher training certification with Yoga Works, every morning I would walk from the F train at West 14th and 7th avenue towards the studio at 19th and 5th avenue. 

On my way, I would pass this book store /cupcake shop that would catch my attention each time I walked to class.  The cupcakes and cakes on display were decorated with the most beautiful, colourful, rich, icing blooms I had ever seen. 

I’m talking intricately piped floral concoctions that brought the mini cakes to life.  No sprinkles or fondant here!  Pure technique. 

Anyway, I never got to sample the cupcakes because I would be walking by at 8am in the morning before the store opened.  Happily one of my last days in teacher training, someone brought in two dozen cupcakes from the Cupcake Cafe and I got to have a bite.  While the cupcakes themselves were a tad on the dry side, the icing more than made up for it. 

These cupcakes are truly picturesque and too beautiful to eat.

(photo via little views)

(photo via lunch studio)

(photo via carol toscano)

photo via colin baer events

Madeleine Patisserie July 2, 2009

I was in New York last week visiting a good friend and taking another yoga teacher training certification with Yoga Works.   Before my course started, I had a good couple days to do some exploration as well as stop by some local favourites of mine (cupcake cafe, crumbs bakeshop, buttercup bakeshop, pinkberry).   

New and notable for me was my stop in at Madeleine Patisserie 

My macarons

on West 23rd street between 6th and 7th avenue where I couldn’t resist sampling some of their colourful macarons which drew me in from their window display.

A sampled macaron

I sampled the strawberry apricot and passion fruit raspberry.  Overall, solid A- macarons.  A bit on the soft side when you bite in but the balance between crispy exterior and chewy interior was upheld for the most part.  I took pictures of the macarons I tasted on my blackberry and I am excited because the shots look just as good as what I would take on my digital camera.  What an easy way to share an experience. 

two sampled macarons

I have included a picture of other flavours from Madeleine Patisserie and a shot of the display case in the bakery below.

Inside the shop (photo via alwayshungryny.com)

Madeleine Macarons (photo via stephanie does.com)