Bikini weather
already? Well, Bay Ridge’s Little Cupcake Bakeshop will make
you forget all about that summer diet.
As you enter the shop, reminiscent of your Grandma’s kitchen
with ’40s swing music playing in the background, you see a multitude
of tasty treats displayed on retro cake plates, including at
least 10 types of cupcakes, personal cheesecakes, peanut butter
blondies and banana pudding.
"Our focus is a throwback to traditional American desserts
from the ’40s and ’50s," said Mark Libertini, who co-owns
the bakeshop with Luigi Lobuglio. "We have simple American
desserts. Don’t come in looking for the tiramisu or cannolis
you can find in every other bakery."
The "Golden" cupcake is a customer favorite, says Libertini.
It’s your classic vanilla cake topped with vanilla or chocolate
buttercream frosting. While the cupcakes, at $1.50 each, are
the most popular dessert in the bakeshop, a variety of cakes,
cookies and puddings are also designed to make your mouth water.
And when you’re on your way to work, the bakeshop also offers
convenient croissants or muffins and to-go cups of Italian roasted
"Illy" coffee. Personalized cakes and cupcakes can
be created for special occasions.
Everything in the bakeshop is made daily from scratch at the
bakeshop, "just like your Mother or Grandma would have made
it," Libertini said. "People want desserts that taste
great and are made from [organic, preservative-free] ingredients.
We only use whole butter, and fresh milk, cream and dairy."
The bakeshop, which opened in July 2005, offers indoor seating,
and Libertini and Lobuglio plan to open an outdoor cafe with
waiter service beginning June 30.
The Little Cupcake Bakeshop (9102 Third Ave. at 91st Street in
Bay Ridge) accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Cupcakes:
$1.50. The bakeshop is open Monday through Wednesdays, from 7
am to 10 pm; Thursdays through Fridays, from 7 am to 11 pm; Saturdays,
from 8 am to 11 pm; and Sundays, from 8 am to 10 pm, with extended
summer hours. Neighborhood delivery available. For more information,
call (718) 680-4465 or visit their Web site at www.littlecupcakebakeshop.com.