Laura
03-11-2010, 10:17 PM
http://www.zagat.com/Blog/Detail.aspx?SCID=40&BLGID=26539
New York's Best Cupcakes
Sugar Sweet Sunshine
Photo: Emily Capo.Today sees the addition of a fourth outpost of the ever-popular Magnolia Bakery, this one at Grand Central Terminal. Which brings back that age-old question – who makes the best cupcakes in town? To find out the answer, we turned to the list of Top Cupcakes from Zagat's New York City Food Lover's Guide. Click past the jump to find out who came out on top.
Ladybird Bakery
1112 Eighth Ave., Brooklyn
Phone: 718-499-8108Quality Display Service Cost
28 23 23 M
This tiny, “charming” original branch of Two Little Red Hens recently took on a new name to signal an ownership shakeup, but much to the relief of its faithful Park Slope following, it’s still producing the same “delectable” baked goods for which it has long been known; as ever, it’s most appreciated for its artfully decorated cakes and cupcakes, “perfect for showers, engagements” and birthday parties. Key to Zagat Ratings.Sugar Sweet Sunshine
126 Rivington St.
Phone: 212-995-1960Quality Display Service Cost
27 21 22 I
Specializing in “superior cupcakes” rated tops in the genre – no mean feat in “cupcake-crazed” NYC – this “cute” Lower East Side bakery/cafe “warms you” with a “comfy” “place to sit” while sampling its trademark “little pieces of heaven” and “numerous other” “addictive” desserts like “moist cakes”, cookies and bars; with a “laid-back” vibe that’s as “unpretentious” as the goods are “completely fresh”, it definitely hits the “sweet spot.” Key to Zagat Ratings.Amy's Bread
75 Ninth Ave.; 212-462-4338
250 Bleecker St.; 212-675-7802
672 Ninth Ave.; 212-977-2670Quality Display Service Cost
26 22 20 M
Carbophiles “sing the praises” of the “heavenly” “artisan” goods at Amy Scherber’s bakery trio, now considered a NYC “classic”; reknowned for its “fantastic” handmade breads (including signatures like the semolina-raisin-fennel), it also traffics in sweets from “out-of-this-world” sticky buns to “awesome cupcakes”, as well as “delicious sandwiches” and other “good lunchables” – perfect for “eating at one of the few tables” if you can snag one. Key to Zagat Ratings.Baked*
359 Van Brunt St., Brooklyn
Phone: 718-222-0345Quality Display Service Cost
25 21 21 M
“Delicious” “twists on old American favorites” produced by this Red Hook “hipster” bakery – “homey, delicate”, “amazing” cakes and cupcakes, muffins, scones, the “best” brownies – lead many to moon “wish it were in Manhattan”; its “funky” modern digs make a “nice place to sit with your coffee and something sweet” (and there are also panini and a few other prepared items at lunchtime) – meaning it’s perfect for “fortifying yourself” pre-“Fairway.” Key to Zagat Ratings.Billy's Bakery*
184 Ninth Ave.; 212-647-9956
75 Franklin St.; 212-647-9958Quality Display Service Cost
25 23 22 M
“Bless Billy!” enthuse admirers of this Chelsea bakery known for its “moist, buttery” cupcakes topped with “to-die for” icing, as well as for “tasty” full-size cakes, pies and other “homespun” “American-style” sweets, all “beautifully displayed” in “hip” “retro”-’40s digs; the “friendly” counter folk only “add to the sugar high”, and while “lines out the door” are not uncommon, at least they’re “not as long” as at that higher-profile cupcakery to the south; N.B. the TriBeCa branch opened post-Survey. Key to Zagat Ratings.Make My Cake*
121 St. Nicholas Ave.; 212-932-0833
2380 Adam C. Powell Blvd.; 212-234-2344 Quality Display Service Cost
23 18 18 M
“Just like grandma’s” is the word on the Southern specialties from these Harlem bakeries, home to the “out-of-this-world” likes of red velvet cake, sweet potato cheesecake, “light, fluffy cupcakes” and a butter-cream number that’ll “melt in your mouth”; whether for birthdays, weddings or catering, a visit is sure to make your day; N.B. the St. Nicholas Avenue original is a sit-down cafe while the adjunct farther Uptown is retail only. Key to Zagat Ratings.* – Indicates a tie for 3rd place.
New York's Best Cupcakes
Sugar Sweet Sunshine
Photo: Emily Capo.Today sees the addition of a fourth outpost of the ever-popular Magnolia Bakery, this one at Grand Central Terminal. Which brings back that age-old question – who makes the best cupcakes in town? To find out the answer, we turned to the list of Top Cupcakes from Zagat's New York City Food Lover's Guide. Click past the jump to find out who came out on top.
Ladybird Bakery
1112 Eighth Ave., Brooklyn
Phone: 718-499-8108Quality Display Service Cost
28 23 23 M
This tiny, “charming” original branch of Two Little Red Hens recently took on a new name to signal an ownership shakeup, but much to the relief of its faithful Park Slope following, it’s still producing the same “delectable” baked goods for which it has long been known; as ever, it’s most appreciated for its artfully decorated cakes and cupcakes, “perfect for showers, engagements” and birthday parties. Key to Zagat Ratings.Sugar Sweet Sunshine
126 Rivington St.
Phone: 212-995-1960Quality Display Service Cost
27 21 22 I
Specializing in “superior cupcakes” rated tops in the genre – no mean feat in “cupcake-crazed” NYC – this “cute” Lower East Side bakery/cafe “warms you” with a “comfy” “place to sit” while sampling its trademark “little pieces of heaven” and “numerous other” “addictive” desserts like “moist cakes”, cookies and bars; with a “laid-back” vibe that’s as “unpretentious” as the goods are “completely fresh”, it definitely hits the “sweet spot.” Key to Zagat Ratings.Amy's Bread
75 Ninth Ave.; 212-462-4338
250 Bleecker St.; 212-675-7802
672 Ninth Ave.; 212-977-2670Quality Display Service Cost
26 22 20 M
Carbophiles “sing the praises” of the “heavenly” “artisan” goods at Amy Scherber’s bakery trio, now considered a NYC “classic”; reknowned for its “fantastic” handmade breads (including signatures like the semolina-raisin-fennel), it also traffics in sweets from “out-of-this-world” sticky buns to “awesome cupcakes”, as well as “delicious sandwiches” and other “good lunchables” – perfect for “eating at one of the few tables” if you can snag one. Key to Zagat Ratings.Baked*
359 Van Brunt St., Brooklyn
Phone: 718-222-0345Quality Display Service Cost
25 21 21 M
“Delicious” “twists on old American favorites” produced by this Red Hook “hipster” bakery – “homey, delicate”, “amazing” cakes and cupcakes, muffins, scones, the “best” brownies – lead many to moon “wish it were in Manhattan”; its “funky” modern digs make a “nice place to sit with your coffee and something sweet” (and there are also panini and a few other prepared items at lunchtime) – meaning it’s perfect for “fortifying yourself” pre-“Fairway.” Key to Zagat Ratings.Billy's Bakery*
184 Ninth Ave.; 212-647-9956
75 Franklin St.; 212-647-9958Quality Display Service Cost
25 23 22 M
“Bless Billy!” enthuse admirers of this Chelsea bakery known for its “moist, buttery” cupcakes topped with “to-die for” icing, as well as for “tasty” full-size cakes, pies and other “homespun” “American-style” sweets, all “beautifully displayed” in “hip” “retro”-’40s digs; the “friendly” counter folk only “add to the sugar high”, and while “lines out the door” are not uncommon, at least they’re “not as long” as at that higher-profile cupcakery to the south; N.B. the TriBeCa branch opened post-Survey. Key to Zagat Ratings.Make My Cake*
121 St. Nicholas Ave.; 212-932-0833
2380 Adam C. Powell Blvd.; 212-234-2344 Quality Display Service Cost
23 18 18 M
“Just like grandma’s” is the word on the Southern specialties from these Harlem bakeries, home to the “out-of-this-world” likes of red velvet cake, sweet potato cheesecake, “light, fluffy cupcakes” and a butter-cream number that’ll “melt in your mouth”; whether for birthdays, weddings or catering, a visit is sure to make your day; N.B. the St. Nicholas Avenue original is a sit-down cafe while the adjunct farther Uptown is retail only. Key to Zagat Ratings.* – Indicates a tie for 3rd place.