Babycakes LA: A Love Letter in Photos
"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful," is such a loathsome cop out, right? Well, "don't hate me because I'm well fed," okay? Well, not even "well fed." Beautifully fed. My post as photographer for Zagat and Eater bounces me across the boroughs of Los Angeles, and every now and then a kind chef takes pity on me and sends me home with a little, or in some cases a lot of, something to eat. This time around I was sent to what is fast becoming my favorite street in Downtown La: 6th and Main. My "neighborhood bar" (I live about 20 miles away, but it's my "neighborhood bar" in spirit), The Varnish, is next door to the newly opened Babycakes LA. Babycakes is a lower east side institution and the mecca of the vegan, gluten ailed, and cupcake hungry masses of New York City. Erin McKenna, the owner and baker of Babycakes, has appeared all over the media and released her cookbook this year (it found its way into my Christmas stocking, incidentally). She also surprised me by popping out of the kitchen to greet me when I arrived at Babycakes on Monday morning. I'm not easily star struck, but her combination of pink lipstick and abundant friendliness bowled me over. Not to mention the food! By the end of the shoot her and her cadre of quirky-cool bakers sent me home with six cupcakes and two donuts. Hate me yet? I thought so. Enjoy!
Erin Mckenna, the charming and adorable owner...
Erin Mckenna, the charming and adorable owner...
I love the mismatched flatware and mugs they serve their goods in. Organized chaos in the best way.
Even this little boy could not help smudging his nose up against the glass in anticipation.
And then there were the donuts. Oh my goodness. The chocolate covered ones were a triumph of texture. The crunchy yet tender cake, grains of cinnamon sugar, and luxurious chocolate poured over. I know this may be blasphemy but I prefer them to the cupcakes. Yes, they're that good.
Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Erin literally handed them too me immediately after glazing them. I mean, the chocolate is still hot and oozing slightly. It simply cannot get better than that.
The combination of the pale lime frosting with the dollop of rosey pink is charming, right? Wait until you see what it's served on.
And there it is. Who doesn't want that ogling them from under a cupcake?
Here's the crazy generous box Erin and the girls sent me home with. I know you're jealous, but to quote Sue Sylvester, "Your resentment is delicious."
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