When I first saw Casey's Cupcakes at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, immediately I thought, "Really, ANOTHER cupcake joint?" But when I heard Casey's story of being a Southern California native and 2011 Winner of The Food Network's "Cupcake Wars", I had to buckle down and do the research.
Casey has four OC locations: Riverside, Laguna Beach, Irvine, and the one I visited, Fashion Island Newport Beach. The store couldn't have been cuter, decorated in only pink, white, and black. The inside has an upscale ice cream parlor feel with a decadent display of whimsical cupcakes, candy dispensers, and specialty gifts. But it's the branding that takes the cake, right down to the pink & white striped boxes that pop open like a flower, and the pink receipt paper, of course.
The Grubdown:
- 1st choice because it's super moist, light 'n fluffy with frosting that's not too heavy or sweet, chocolate chip surprises, and a single serving candy tease, Peanut Butter Cupcake $3.50
- 2nd best, creamy 'n sweet with just the right amount of sugar grit in the frosting, and a sensible amount of Raisin and Carrot shreds, Carrot Cake Cupcake $3.50 (pics are missing because I ate the evidence)
- besides the tri-flavored Chocolate Shavings, this one was a let down because the frosting had a gummy almost gel-like consistency, not-so Excellent Espresso Cupcake $3.50 (pics are missing because I ate the evidence)
Ask the wait staff and they'll tell you that the Decadent Dark Chocolate is one of the most popular - perhaps that should've been my third choice instead.
Check CaseysCupcakes.com for monthly flavor specials, like August's Cherry Cupcake with Cherry Pie Filling, Cherry Flavored Vanilla Buttercream, and a Glittered Butterfly & Cherry on Top.
1041 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660. 949-706-2525.
Comments