Relatively Wordless Wednesday: Cartoons, Comics, and Cupcakes

Ottawa saw the opening of yet another brick and mortar cupcakery this past weekend, family-owned and operated The Cupcake Lounge (6 ByWard Market Square). It is the second dedicated cupcakery in the ByWard market. The first, Glitz Cupcakes and Company (11 Murray Street).

The Cupcake Lounge

Cupcakes

Those of you who frequent Westboro’s The Candy Store (350 Richmond Road) will likely recognize The Cupcake Lounge. The Cupcake Lounge supplies the Candy Store its Saturday contingent of cupcakes.

Cupcakes sold out of The Cupcake Lounge’s new storefront quickly. When Jenn and I happened by after visiting also newly opened Murray’s Market (261 Dalhousie Street) last Sunday, staff were discussing closing early after another successful day in the ByWard Market Square.

We split one of the remaining banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting ($3.25). The cake’s light crumb, tasting gently of banana, paired well with the light for cream cheese frosting. It was a delicate balance. Tasty treats served by friendly people, we left with great first impressions.

Thing is, with many cupcake options in Ottawa, what sets cupcake purveyors apart? A fellow local food enthusiast even exclaimed,

i kept running into cupcakes in NYC. almost slipped and fell on the icing. now i see it everywhere here.

Source: Pej (Yes, the Pej)

How about creative decorating, marrying cartoons, comics, and cupcakes?

The following Sanrio-inspired cupcakes come from Shakira and Colleen of Little Cakes Cupcakes

Cute Things Come in Brown Boxes Labelled Little Cakes

Sanrio Cupcakes

This dozen was ordered by Jenn for her youngest sister’s 21st birthday. They were…shall we say…VERY well received.

On May 7, 2011, we happened by the Comic Book Shoppe (228 Bank Street), finding crowds of people spilling into the streets, many carrying heavy burdens of comic books.

May 7th was “Free Comic Book” day, which, according to Wikipedia, is an annual promotional event by the comic book industry to entice new readers into independent comic book stores. Along with having Storm Trooper and Darth Vader greeters at its door, the Shoppe also brought in Jenny Burgess of Geek Sweets. She brought cupcakes ($4.00/each).

Baker Jenny Burgess

Superhero Geek Sweets Cupcakes Display

Cupcakes for Sale

These cupcakes were very well received by comic book enthusiasts, old and young alike.

So, be careful on your way to Ottawa’s cupcakeries not to slip on icing! Cupcakes seem an enduring trend in Canada’s capital.

Aside: Do follow our friend Hillary Duff (@hilaryduffcu) in her search for Ottawa’s perfect cupcake on Local Tourist Ottawa. She has embarked on quite the cupcake odyssey, writing about her adventures weekly.

Particulars:
The Cupcake Lounge
6 ByWard Market Square
Open Tues to Wed 9:00 am-6:00 pm, Thurs-Sat 9:00 am-7:00 pm, and Sun 11:00 am-5:00 pm

Little Cakes Cupcakes
(613)286-3532

Geek Sweets
jenny@geeksweets.net

Aside: Some additional shots of The Cupcake Lounge

Storefront Still Under Construction April 21st

Frosted Signage Above Store Entrance

Front Counter on Opening Day