The City and CUPCAKES!

What an early jog for most people is an early morning drive for me, whenever I get a chance. One overcast summer morning, I took off to the Eisenhower again (Interstate 290 E), with Passion Pit (my new favorite band) keeping me company. Traffic wasn't bad on this Tuesday morning. I've been quite lucky lately.

As long as I have senora (my navi, my security blanket), I'm good. Ohhh I can't live without Nuvi (her real name ;p Garmin Nuvi)!

What started as an aimless drive ended downtown. of course. The feel of the city is exhilarating! I've been downtown many many-a-times, but I still feel giddy and happy like it's the first time every time! I've always loved big cities! And Chicago I'm falling in love deeper and deeper with. It's only recently that I finally pinched myself and said, "you're here, embrace it!" I've been an itchyfoot the past two something years, I've thought of moving to California (got a California RN license!), then considered New York after my aunt's and other family friends' unyielding persuasion.

But Chicago is an amazing city in so many ways! It is dark (a Gotham City-like ambience) but very warm and inviting as well. I guess what it took is for me to approach it like a backpacker would instead of a typical OFW. Now I am wide-eyed with everything Chi Town has to offer! I'm not about the BIG stuff. There are little surprises out there.

Like....
CUPCAKES! :))

more Cupcakes, to be specific. (one east delaware place in chicago, illinois 60611)

I was cynical about all this cupcake hype the past couple of years. I have a huge, nagging sweet tooth, but, cupcakes?! I've tried some until this....

I can't even put into words the experience I had with these cupcakes. I just had my I-roll-my-eyes-I-think-I-just-died-and-went-to-heaven moment. Aahhh just read (*copy-pasted* from More's website) :

located in chicago's gold coast neighborhood at one e. delaware place, (state & delaware), more opened its modern art museum-meets-cupcake boutique in september of 2008.

owner, patty rothman, (and self-proclaimed cupcake curator), opened more with the sole vision of embracing excess in every bite. at more the cupcake sheds its swirls and sprinkles - and evolves into a sophisticated and luxurious indulgence to be coveted.

each blissful bite of a cupcake from more is moist, rich, perfectly balanced, delightfully decadent and totally transforming. more cupcakes embrace the extraordinary – from the individually crafted recipes to the artisan ingredients to the elegant packaging.

now, take a deep breath:
























(L-R: Salted Caramel, the signature More cupcake, Coconut Mango, Black & White, Red Velvet, Cookies & Cream)

look look look at that salted caramel oozing out of the most decadent, dense, vanilla cake! and that icing I can't even explain... it's beyonnddd. sooooo gooooddd!















and the signature More cupcake... all I can say is, my goodness gracious. I wish I took a better picture to document this glorious experience, but I knew this wouldn't be my last. I know it looks like a twinkie that you can get in your neighborhood grocery store, but wait until you put this in your mouth! You can't help but close your eyes and giggle and embarrass yourself! seriously. it is sooooo goood. I can go on and on but thanks to More's website for 'putting words in my mouth.':

...witness the signature more cupcake: a dark, valrhona chocolate cake, laden with an ethereal cream, and topped with a pristine chocolate ganache



the red velvet cupcake is also to-die-for! I'm not a big fan of icing but I am big fan of more's cream cheese frosting!!! a red velvet cake is really just a chocolate cake with red food coloring, but because it's red, it makes you think that you're eating a completely different cake all its own. see what your mind can do to your tongue. this one, though, is a completely different cupcake all its own! :) another must-try from mores.











there's still 3 more cupcakes in that box, and there's about five steps from where I am, writing this blog on my bed, and the refrigerator ;D

and that's just the sweet stuff! didn't even get the savory and the specialty yet ...

bacon maple!
strawberry balsamic!!!
goat fig merlot!!!!
blue cheese walnut praline!!!!!
bacon white truffle!!!!!!
blt!!!!!!!
mojito!!!!!!!!
margarita!!!!!!!!!
gin & juice!!!!!!!!!!

you really can't stop having more of more.

I really have to end this. very sweet dreams!:))