New kid-cake on the block - Polkatots on N. Lake in Pasadena
The way I figured it, Pasadena needed another specialty cupcake shop the way that Octomom needs another baby. We already have two locations of Dots (one on Arroyo Parkway and another in Old Pasadena) and Violet's in Old Pas. Nearby are Pearl in San Marino and My Sweet Cupcakes in South Pasadena.
Turns out there's room for one more cupcake contender. Polkatots', just six months new, has already managed to beat out 33 other cupcake competitors for two first-place prizes in the 2009 Nesquick Cupcake Challenge. Judges voted Pokatots' dulce de leche the best original cupcake and best overall cupcake in Southern California.
Fresh spring flowers brighten up the courtyard of Polkatots' mini mall setting.
I popped in to their North Lake shop to purchase two mini cupcakes (hey, big spender), but they all looked so delicious that I ended up taking home a dainty dozen.
Eenie, meenie minie, moe . . . Grab a cupcake, go, go, go.
I found most of the traditional cupcakes a little too sweet for my tooth (probably because of the extra sprinkling of sugar on top), but I went nuts over the pistachio cupcake. Alma, one of the owner/bakers, said that it was her favorite too.
My faves: pistachio and dulce de leche
Alma and her 20-year-old partner, Melany, also love creating cupcake cakes (CCC). Even though these are often maligned on cakewrecks.com, Alma and Melany turn those three Cs into creative, classy and convenient.
You'll pass Polkatots as you're driving north on Lake Ave. As a matter of fact, you'll drive past it when you're headed for Altadena. (Hint. Hint. Wink. Wink.)
Polkatots
720 N. Lake Ave.
Pasadena
626-798-3932
polkatotscupcakes.com.
You'll pass Polkatots as you're driving north on Lake Ave. As a matter of fact, you'll drive past it when you're headed for Altadena. (Hint. Hint. Wink. Wink.)
Polkatots
720 N. Lake Ave.
Pasadena
626-798-3932
polkatotscupcakes.com.
21 comments:
I've know about this new place for a while but never been. I'm not much of a cupcake eater. Nothing like eating a brunch of sugary cupcakes to make one feel both 1st great & then sick! Nevertheless, this cupcake specialist appear to be in a class of their own.
It's good 2 know we have the best cupcake bakery in Pasadena.
Maybe 2morrow or later this week I'll finally get motivated to pop inside.
I know who will get fat if this keeps up. Please blog about low sodium chicken broth next time.
Ohh. I see this place every time I drive home from The Coffee Gallery, and I am always tempted. I'll definitely step in next time. I do like my baked goods.
I had planned to go here for Emme's birthday (cup)cake this summer--glad to hear it's worthy of a four-year-old's opinionated sweet-tooth.
I always have room for one more cupcake, but I'm telling you Auntie Em's makes the best red velvet!
CO, That's why I like the mini cupcakes. Avoid that too-much-sweet feeling. (Of course, that doesn't work when you down five of them.)
AH, Ha!
Margaret, Yea, too bad when you're going south on Lake you have to pass it, but can't make a u-turn (one of those kind of complicated arrangements), but it's worth the little bit of hassle. There's usually parking on the street.
Linda, I think Emme would love their CCC.
Desiree, I still need to try Em's legendary red velvet cupcakes. Right now, I'm partial to Dot's. When I go to Old Pas., I stop for one mini, run my errands, and then reward myself with another mini on the way back to the car.
I never knew there could be so many cupcake places in one area. Since I still don't have my appetite back, it's another instance of where I want to come out and be tempted by your good food! I'm not a fan of icing, though, especially if it's too sweet. I'd probably scrape most of it off.
Thanks for the review. Those minis look cute!
Ronni, we'd make a good match. I'll take all your surplus icing.
FL, I love cute. I think I'll start calling them cupcakelets instead of mini cupcakes.
I thought I got out a lot but I'm completely unaware of where any of these cup cake venues are. Probably best I don't. I tend to like a little cake with my icing. Anyone whose partaken of my Carver Caramels will not be surprised by this.
I'm so glad I stopped by. Cupcakes are not my thing, but I have a date with a friend who adores them, and I've promised to go with her to the local places she hasn't already tried (local meaning Pasadena-y-ish. She's already been to Auntie Em's and Heirloom). Any other recommendations?
I'm almost over it already!
Susan..a new joint in the adjacents
Good Girls Food
Yeah, PA, the Good Girl Dinette looks promising. But, it's sooooo new. It's just a baby barely learning to walk. So, anyone going now shouldn't expect their act to polished. Just go to explore & support them, which I plan to do maybe next week or month.
PA, I can't wait to try that new restaurant in Highland Park. I was supposed to go with a group next Tuesday, but I'll be in SF instead.
CO, We should do a field trip.
I went to Polkatots today, as well as Dots, Violet's, Pearl's and My Sweet Cupcake. My personal favorite, based on one visit each on a really hot day and keeping in mind that I didn't eat the cupcakes (though my visiting, cupcake loving, friend did), is Pearl's, because it looks like a comfy place to settle and have some tea or coffee. Anyway, thanks for the post. You made a cupcake fanatic really happy.
Hi Jean, How fun to hear about your cupcake-athon! Now I'm eager to check out Pearls. Did your friend have a favorite cupcake?
She did a semi-scientific study across all but Polkatots (where she went first), restricting herself to red velvet at each. I think her overall favorite for that variety might have been My sweet Cupcake, but I'm hoping she'll chime in and publish her own take on all of this (she's a terrific writer).
After reading your review, I went to check it out, and took all my visiting out-of-town friends there. Delicious! It made their trip even more enjoyable. :) Thanks for the tip!
Elise, I'm so pleased that your visiting friends enjoyed your field trip to Polkatots. Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
They are the best in Pasadena!
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