Free Cupcakes!

I'm a cupcake snob. Sylvie is too. There is no comparing a New Jersey cupcake to Magnolia Bakery, Cupcake Cafe, Buttercup Bakery, Billy's Bakery, Two Little Red Hens or Ciao For Now. But I try. I try them all. And when 201 Magazine listed several bakeries as sure hits, I tried a few and they too were sure misses. They just aren't the same. So when my mom gave me an article from The Record about a cupcake shop opening on Ridgewood Avenue, I was very anxious to check it out. Today was the second day that Cupcakes by Carousel was open for business so I loaded up on a box for me and a box for my friend Jen. She "warned" me about the decor. I told her that unless it had painted-white wainscoting, pastel paint, Schoolhouse Electric light fixtures and lots of brushed chrome that I will not like it. I told her that in my mind, it should look a little like the Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen but cleaner. I accidentally first walked into Dolce where they had a cheap "cupcakes... cupcakes" sign in the window and their cupcakes looked disgusting. We backed out and went to the OTHER side of the movie theater. I love the logo and the free magnets and temporary tattoos. Otherwise, it looked like Ben and Jerry's which disappointed me a little. But that's just me.

I was a little surprised and irritated to also see that a Crumb's bakery is opening up the block. How many cupcake shops can Ridgewood Avenue support? A locally-owned business and a franchise? I bought Kosher-for-Passover cupcakes at the Crumbs near my office once and they were horrible. Michael likes them because Artie Lange has a cupcake named after him.

That being said, Jen called me to say that the cupcakes tasted pretty darn good and Michael & have to agree! So thumbs up to Cupcakes By Carousel! They're giving away free cupcakes this weekend, too!

192 East Ridgewood Avenue (next to the movie theater) 201-389-3090