Dining Outside the Home: Baked by Melissa in Manhattan, New York City, New York

Dining Outside the Home: Baked by Melissa in Manhattan, New York City, New York! When it’s late at night and your sweet tooth just won’t give up, the answer is bite-sized cupcakes. Oh, yeah. This Manhattan bakery came recommended to us by an energetic waiter in a local pub as well as the helpful valet around the corner who pointed us in the right direction. Think about it. Mini cupcakes, the size of a quarter, with at least 18 distinct flavors like Red Velvet, Cookies & Cream, Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate Chip Pancake, and Caramel Cone. At less than 50 calories each, it’s practically heaven-sent. The average customer eats 4-5 cupcakes at one time. Nice. Needless to say, we walked away with a gift box holding the coveted creations. OMG! YUM!

Dining Outside the Home: Carlo’s Bakery of “Cake Boss” in Las Vegas, Nevada 

Dining Outside the Home: Carlo’s Bakery of “Cake Boss” in Las Vegas, Nevada! It all started when the late night dessert craving hit me. Anyone who’s had an authentic Italian cannoli will appreciate the quest for perfection. Up the stairs at The Venetian across from Buddy V’s, delicious bakery creations are showcased for all to see: abundant fruit tarts, luscious cream-filled cannolis, deep dish cheesecake, elaborate dark chocolate cupcakes topped with ribbons of buttercream icing. It is impossible to choose just one. Forget the diet and indulge yourself. After all, it’s Vegas!

Dining Outside the Home: Deli and Bread Connection in Lihue, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Deli and Bread Connection in Lihue, Kauai. Like a shark attack on the ocean, the Lobster Roll is a mouthful. Chunks of sweet lobster tail, sautéed mushrooms, red onions, and bubbly Swiss cheese are melted together inside the freshly baked specialty bread. The onsite bakery not only features chunky soups and mile-high sandwiches, it is a favorite for oriental sweet breads and poi rolls. Follow your nose and get there early. Seating is limited and the daily batch of bakery breads quickly disappear. 

Dining Outside the Home: Cupcake Delights in Mt. Dora

Before I begin, let me clarify…I did not make a meal of cupcakes. I’m not saying I couldn’t have, I’m saying I showed tremendous restraint! After all, I could easily fulfill the four major food groups in one sitting:Vegetable = Carrot Cupcakes

Fruit = Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Dairy = Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting

Protein = Maple Bacon Cupcakes

The dining area is as quaint and appealing as the cupcakes themselves. Overall, it’s a taste of paradise one bite at a time. 
Pastry Chef and Owner, Judy, says it quite well: 

“The way I see it… Cupcakes are a form of art, a magnificent masterpiece, on an edible canvas and you can never have too many hanging around.”