Monday, March 29, 2010

"Back in the Saddle"


Enough travel for a while. Back to Cups, our bakery, our lounge, and now, our teaching kitchen and party room, Cups Culinary aka the "green room." THIS is the reason I opened Cups - to really share my passion for cooking and teaching with others. Just had the first few events here: 30 sorority sisters, 4-year-old princess party, bridal shower, baby shower, and next week - a Superman-themed deco party! Next step, classes for summer camp, and a full public class schedule. If you have thoughts or suggestions, e-mail me....

So you've probably seen some of the "not your mother's cupcake" shots here. Let me explain. When you say you make cupcakes, a lot of people come in with certain expectations, many of which are based on the box mix/canned frosting cupcakes of our youth and the contemporary grocery store equivalent. No disrespect intended - been there, eaten that! That's just not what we do.

I wanted to make varied, complex, often more dense, less sweet desserts - that happen to come in a cupcake form. We make dense, dark flourless Cups. Sugar-free Cups. Brioche and other yeast-dough Cups. Mixed sweet & savory Cups. Vegan, gluten-free....

SOOOOOO it became necessary to let people know what we do differently, so as to address head-on people's expectations. Love us, hate us, this is what you get. I can't imagine a single cupcake to please every palate - nor do I want to. One billion served to me doesn't say top quality, it says lowest common denominator. But let me get off my high horse (how easily I seem to get back in that saddle...).

Anyway, as I started this rant, am happy to be back at Cups, my new expansion of space inspiring my creative juices. So I will put down this computer and return to the kitchen, to eagerly play with some new concepts. So excited about the upcoming season - so much fresh fruit to incorporate into our Cups! Am harvesting a lot of chamomile from the garden right now, have been thinking this one through - love the idea of a sweet honey-vanilla chamomile Cup. Also picking a lot of fava beans, but not feeling that one yet. Planting my own vanilla and cinnamon plants (in a small greenhouse) but won't get much there for a while. Anxiously awaiting the arrival of the little blackberry buds starting to appear. Now this is the saddle I want to get back in....

Michelle Cicceralli Lerach
Founder


http://cupslj.com
mailto:info@cupslj.com

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Cups Cupcakery and Lounge


Cups Lounge

Ever heard of organic decadence? Well, you have now. Introducing Cups Lounge, the all-new, all-natural cupcakery in the heart of downtown La Jolla, and the only organic cupcakery in all of San Diego. Every day of the week, we create ten flavors of pure cupcake enjoyment, from among more than fifty total flavor varieties we offer. Each is joyfully baked fresh in-house every morning with loving care, and using only the best local, organic, sustainable ingredients.

Kick back and relax in our retro-modern lounge, hook up to the free WiFi, and enjoy your Cup with our house specialty, fresh strawberry milk on tap or one of the many offerings from our traditional coffee bar where we pull “ristretto” style espresso shots. While you're at it, why not sample our newest creation, FrostNips, a delectable blend of butter cake and frosting, rolled and hand dipped in chocolate.

Stop by soon. All-natural and organic have never been so deliciously indulgent.

The Cups Team

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

"Not Your Mother's Cupcake of the Week"



What do we mean by "Not Your Mother's Cupcake"? Let me explain. When you say you make cupcakes, a lot of people come in with certain expectations, many of which are based on the box mix/canned frosting cupcakes of our youth and the contemporary grocery store equivalent. No disrespect intended - been there, eaten that! That's just not what we do. Enjoy!
~ Michelle

"Not You Mother's Cupcake" of the Week