my favorite cupcake
I have heard a lot of hype regarding Sonja’s cupcakes for quite some time now and I am aware that there have been other people who created a blog about this mouth watering dessert who have already tried these desserts and written about them too.
Reading their testimonials, I got excited and for so long have wanted
to have a go at these seemingly picture perfect desserts.
I guess you would ask why I did not indulge. One reason really is
that I have never stepped foot in the Serendra area since the time it
opened to a lot of dining establishments. I have been too busy at work
to travel to the Fort area even for Friday lunch outs.
So I made the most of my first trip to Serendra Piazza by visiting
the highly popular Cupcakes by Sonja. Despite the rains, my officemates
and I went from Bonifacio High Street to where Sonja’s was. I knew I
could not leave without the cupcakes that I have been dreaming of for
so long.
My first glimpse of the store made me go “Awwww” just like someone
who has seen an old couple kissing or a baby gurgling. The store was
all pink and white so that made me an instant fan (I absolutely hate pink! but it look fine on the walls of cupcakes). There was a glass counter that displayed all the delicious
cupcakes that they sold. I spent about 15 minutes just ogling all the
goodies on display. There was a white counter that looked out a glass
window which was perfect for when you want to eat in. Another thing I
really loved about the place was the homey feeling it gave you. I am
reminded of those quaint candy stores that they have in the states or
even old fashioned diners (although I doubt they have that in pink).
And the stuff that they had decorating the store was something out of
the 1950’s (think Pleasantville).
I wanted to get all the cupcakes that I wanted to try but it would
be too expensive for a first time visit. So I had to settle with all
those that have chocolate in them. I figured that I couldn’t go wrong
with those as I simply love anything that has to do with chocolate.
The cupcakes were packaged in these adorable blue boxes that
screamed simply chic. I loved their individual boxes as they looked
like packaging one would get when buying jewelry.
So far, everything about Sonja’s that I have seen has thrilled me no
end. I am anticipating the same as soon as I get my teeth into those
chocolate yummies.
These were the cupcakes that I have been able to try and what my take is on each:
Mocha Motion is a chocolate cupcake topped with
mocha buttercream icing. I must say that aside from a total lover of
chocolate, I am also very much fond of mocha, which is basically
anything that resembles the taste of coffee.
So it wasn’t much of a challenge deciding to get this flavor. The
cupcake was packed! I used an exclamation point because I think that
will more accurately describe how packed with flavor the cupcake was.
It wasn’t fluffy or airy. It wasn’t sickening sweet too. I think its
because the sweetness will be provided by the icing. And sweet it was.
Too sweet even for me. Halfway through the cupcake, I felt a sore
throat coming along. (Php55.00)
Chocolate Surprise is described to be Valrhona
Chocolate cupcakes topped with either our signature vanilla buttercream
or creamy chocolate frosting. I chose creamy chocolate frosting (need
you ask?). It brought the same goodness as the Mocha motion including
the sweetness of the creamy icing. The tag said Valrhona which is known
to be high quality chocolate from France. My tongue though was too
excited to eat the cupcakes that I really could not tell the
difference. For me, this is just the chocolate version of Mocha Motion.
(Php62.00)
Valrhona Milk Choco-Hazelnut Tart is definitely not
a cupcake. It has though become my favorite. The crust was crumbly but
good. The hazelnut filling was absolutely marvelous. And the chocolate
glaze topping was perfect. The tart did not have the same sweetness of
the cupcakes so you can actually finish a whole one in a minute. I was
craving for more after the last bite. The sad thing was I only bought
one of those. Oh well I can always go back right. (Php65.00)
So there you have it. Sonja’s is all what it is hyped up to be. It
is more in some areas and less in others. Many have read Lori’s
interview of Sonja and understand why it is what it is - delicious,
pricey, sweet. I think many are taken aback by the steep price because
of very high expectations. But are you all aware that these
cupcakes are similarly priced as Starbuck’s pastries (not cakes but the
pastries)?
I applaud Sonja for sticking to her standards no matter how high it
appears to be for some people. And although personally, I may not
choose to frequent her store - it is a personal choice driven by
practical reasons. Let us just say if I had money to spare, I wouldn’t
complain about the price. She has found her home in the grounds of
Serendia Piazza where I believe she will always have customers and
lovers of her cupcakes.
