Being that I love cupcakes (except vegan ones), it's surprising that I had never been there before. I know a lot of people are SSS devotees so I had to give it a go!
The first thing that shocked me was the price. $1.50!!!
Wow, I mean given the escalating cupcake prices around town ever since Magnolia blew up post Sex and the City, it's a wonder why Sugar Sweet Sunshine charges so little.
They surely could get away with $2.00. That would still be over a $1.00 less than those of Magnolia or Butter Lane!
I went with the "owner's favorite" - "Black and white...just right" which was a chocolate cupcake and vanilla frosting. Yum! It was certainly delicious, but I am the first to admit that it's not hard to make a yummy cupcake.
And maybe I should have gone with some of the more intricate flavors like the "Sassy Red Velvet" - with chocolate almond buttercream or the pistachio or pumpkin varieties, because to be honest - mine did take exactly like the kind you can make home out of a box.
But, at $1.50 that's okay. Cuz if I was gonna make it at home, I'd have to buy the box, and the eggs, and heat the oven, and then eat all 2 dozen of them...
And I'm just not going to do that. So I'll happily pay $1.50 for one at Sugar Sweet Sunshine.
Sugar Sweet Sunshine
126 Rivington (between Norfolk and Essex)
212-995-1960
2 comments:
Hi Christine! I've long been a fan of Sugar Sweet Sunshine's wares and must say, I'd wish your review was a little more in-depth. First; I've got to take exception to your assessment of Sugar Sweet Sunshine's pricing. It's not that Sugar Sweet Sunshine's prices are too low; it's that Magnolia and the other bakeries that seek to bleed 'Sex in the City' fans dry of their disposable income charge too much for cupcakes (which are often day-old and dry). Add that to the fact that Magnolia's service makes the Soup Nazi seem all warm and fuzzy. Ask a question at Magnolia and you're snapped at by the cashier for holding up the line; Ask one at Sugar Sweet Sunshine and they'll kindly answer and give you tips.
But I digress, a cupcake shop is about the cupcakes after all. As for the taste, I've never actually had Black & White..Just Right, so I'm at a loss to comment on it. Sounds dismal! I know for a fact that Seasonal Pumpkin has a flavour that's as robust as the Lower East Side is gritty, while the Pistachio is light and fluffy with just the most delectable hint of spice.
With a small glass of milk for under $2 and cupcakes at only $1.50 a pop, I'm surprised you didn't see fit in your capacity as a food critic to take at least a little nibble of the flavours whose names and ingredients popped out at you. I urge you to go back and give them another taste!
In the end perhaps Sugar Sweet Sunshine serves a separate demographic from the West Side bakeries. With rent prices, and therefore disposable income being considerably less, perhaps that's part of where the different culinary experience originates.
I agree Dwayne - I definitely did not taste enough of the cupcakes (I was so full after dinner!)
I will definitely go back - my review was surely not in depth to your point, it was simply my observations. I think Magnolia and others may be overpriced for sure, but I guess my point was that I did think they were superior to SSS cupcakes. So in a sense I guess I did think there was a reason for SSS cupcakes to be priced where they were. For instance, many of the ingredients at a place like Butter Lane are more expensive than at SSS - thus warranting a higher price in my opinion.
That being said - I think they are a delight and very well worth it.
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