La Dolce Divas

I popped into the new La Dolce Divas Bakery in Englewood today just to check it out, and as I'm physically incapable of walking out of a bakery without buying cupcakes, emerged with a whole box (and had to forcibly restrain myself from buying any more). Took 'em back to the office, and the verdict was....

Yum. Those are some mighty fine cupcakes. In fact, we're pondering revising the results of the December Cupcake Smackdown. (Though don't worry, Sweet Avenue, yours will always be the most adorable in our book.)

Bill got coconut, Rob got strawberry, intern Julia Cameron got chocolate mint and I got pistachio, and we were all terribly pleased. They couldn't have been fresher, the cake was moist and fluffy, the frosting creamy and not too cloying.

La Dolce Divas reminded me a lot of the more well-known New York City bakeries, only - dare I say it based on this one visit - possibly better (personally, I find Magnolia's frosting way too sugary and Buttercup Bake Shop has sold me a few borderline-stale cupcakes.) Along with cupcakes and horribly tempting layer cakes, La Dolce Divas has great-looking cookies, Rice Krispie Treats and whoopie pies (though sadly, they were out of those today).

I'll be back.