Traveling With A Sweet Tooth

You can take the girl out of town, but you can't take the sweet tooth out of the girl.  So, what's a traveler with a hankering for something sweet suppose to do??  Well, luckily USA Today came to the rescue recently with an article titled "10 great places to grab a gourmet cupcake".  And, these recommendations come from Justin Willman who is the host of Food Network's "Cupcake Wars" and "Cupcake Champions" so this man knows a good cupcake when he eats one!  So, pack your sweet tooth, grab a map and if you're lucky enough to be going to or through one of these cities, make a stop that will instantly satisfy that sweet tooth of yours!  Now isn't that sweet!?!

Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Cafe in St.Louis
www.jillyscupcakebar.com
Try the Reese's Chunkage, a half-pound treat filled with peanut butter mousse and chocolate fudge ganache, topped with peanut butter and chocolate butter cream, and finished with chunks of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Cupcake Royale in Seattle
www.cupcakeroyale.com
The bakery not only makes delicious cupcakes but is launching its own brand of ice cream, including several cupcakes and cream flavors, with pieces of cupcake hand-swirled in.

Baked by Melissa in New York
www.bakedbymelissa.com
This Manhattan bakery specializes in tiny half-dollar-size cakes that it ships across the country.  So you can take your memories and sweet tooth home with you after you've indulged in their cupcakes in their store.

Sweet!  By Good Golly Miss Holly in Orlando and Jacksonville
www.sweetbyholly.com
Chef Hollis Wilder is the first two-time winner on Cupcake Wars on Food Network.  Go by there and you'll see why....

Molly's Cupcakes in Chicago
www.mollyscupcakes.com
This Lincoln Park bakery serves up award-winning red velvet cupcakes and the cream cheese frosting reminds Willman of something "like your grandma would make in the Deep South".  Enough said!

Philly Cupcake in Philadelphia
www.phillcupcake.com
The cupcakes are displayed in vintage pink cabinets from a Victoria's Secret store and their menu includes vegan and gluten-free options that leave out milk and eggs without losing flavor.

Sprinkles Cupcakes in Los Angeles, Dallas, Georgetown, Houston, La Jolla, New York, Newport
Beach, Palo Alto, Scottsdale
www.sprinkles.com
The original Beverly Hills location now has what Willman calls "the world's first cupcake ATM" -- a vending machine that is stocked throughout the day with freshly baked offerings.

Crave Bake Shop in Lake Oswego, Oregon
www.cravebakeshop.com
Sinfully good cupcakes without all of the things that sinfully stir-up your allergies!

Isabelle's Curly Cakes in Boston
www.izzyscurlycakes.com
Willman had a hard time narrowing down to just one bakery in Boston, but figured that celebrity chef Todd English and his daughter have never failed him before so he went with this one.  Apparently, once he bit into the red velvet, triple chocolate and vanilla bean offering, he handed down a decisive vote for Izzys.

Of course, I have to add in a couple of my favorites as well.  And, I feel certain if Mr. Willman had an opportunity to stop at these places, he would agree with me.

Georgetown Cupcake in Washington, D.C., Bethesda, New York, Boston, Los Angeles
www.georgetowncupcke.com
In Washington, D.C. you might think there had been a President sighting, but no,  it's just a crowd lining up to get ahold of one of these delicious, creamy and oh-so-good cupcakes!

Hey Cupcake! in Austin (4 locations), San Marcos and Dallas (coming soon)
www.heycupcake.com
There is just something special about eating the Michael Jackson (cream cheese topping with chocolate cake) at the original location on South Congress out of their food truck that makes you start moon walking.


                                               WISHING YOU SWEET TRAVELS!

                                                                TRAVEL M GIRL

Embracing a Favorite in Austin

You can't help but see these everywhere you go
when you are in Austin.  It's on signs, clothing,
and store windows.

Austin is very proud of it's reputation and Austin
is one of the fastest growing cities in the USA.

But, with all of the good news about Austin comes
the growth and that means high rise buildings that
are drastically changing Austin's skyline.

It's hard for an old-timer Austin fan like me to
recognize Austin sometimes.

However, I grab the first pedi cab I see and
make a bee line to one of my favorite
restaurants in Austin!

There are just some things that I've loved about Austin
for a number of years and just get better with time such
as La Traviata which is  located at 314 Congress.

Chef Marion Gillcrist serves Italian comfort food
with farm fresh ingredients that will make your meal
one you will soon not forget.  Whether you go with
a pasta dish, fish, chicken, steak or vegetarian,
you will surely love every single bite.

Oh, I forgot to mention, some of the best lamb
meat balls with pasta I have ever had!  You are
lucky you even got this much of a photo of it!
Open for lunch Monday through Friday and
for dinner Monday through Saturday.

               GET THERE BEFORE  I SNATCH THE LAST AVAILABLE  TABLE!


                                             TRAVEL M  GIRL

How To Enjoy Austin Without Really Trying!

Recently I went to Austin and stayed at the W Hotel
located on Lavaca at 2nd Street.

Cali, the dog, loves to travel and finds the W
meets all her canine needs....water bowl at the
entrance, doggie treats and a heavenly bed.
(We found that Cali preferred our heavenly
bed to hers!)  

There's not much reason to have to venture far away from
the W Hotel.  There's the Away Spa located on the 4th
floor in case you need to unwind.

Their restaurant Trace which is located street side
was so good.

Big decisions to make at Trace...sit inside or out, what to
order from their extensive wine list and what to choose
from their incredible menu!

In case you feel like stepping off the property, there is
Taverna located across the street from the W.  It is
one of my favorites in Dallas!

Then there's the shopping all within walking distance....

Not to mention the additional places to eat featuring some
of Austin's finest....

Feeling parched??  There's a cure for that, too,
within walking distance....

And, something to cure that itch to
go shopping....

And, just in case you want some culture for
your youngster, there's the Austin Children's
Museum just a block away.

And, there's the shopping....

A shot of java just in case you are needing
to get through the rest of your shopping...

A must stop for upscale barbecue!

And, something for Cali as well....

The infamous Austin Farmer's Market held on Saturdays
from 9:00a.m. until 2:00p.m. is located one block from
the backside of the W Hotel.

Whew!  All that shopping and eating has barely given me the
strength to get  back up to the pool at the W Hotel.

Luckily there are wonderful cabanas around the pool to
grab a quick little siesta.

Or catch an episode of General Hospital!

                    I'll be checking back in to the W Hotel and Austin soon!

                                                     TRAVEL M GIRL