State to State

It’s the Birthday Boy!

This Weeks Edition of State to State is brought to you by the City of NY. I was/am here to celebrate my nephews Eight Birthday on October 4th, and babyyy, we had such a great time! It’s always an experience when you put five different personalities together, but there wasn’t an argument in sight! I flew in from Chicago the morning of, then an aircraft, train and bus ride later, Shorty was in Harlem, ready to slide up to somebody’s brunch, but I stayed focused.

First up, bowling … which I’m not as good as I would’ve loved to be. Shit, I was using the wrong fingers to hold the bowling ball so there’s that. Fun Fact; I’ve been bowling twice ever in life!

Next, a private party for my nephew which included confetti cake and mini carrot cake cupcakes. He was surprised by our cousins, who came through. Such a super fun time, and the birthday boy throughly enjoyed himself!

Tristan Jonez

Piece Of Velvet

When something is good, I will praise it from the mountain tops. I will be their public relation guru, making sure I let everyone know all about the goodness I recieved. However when something is not deserving of praise, when something is deserving of critique, I am here to administer that as well.

So, I was planning and hosting a gender reveal party for a coworker turned close friend. With this being her first child I wanted to make sure I did an amazing job, from decorations to the balloons, to the guest list, so obviously the cupcakes chosen was going to be a big deal. The sweets was the focal point, so not having any cupcakes would be very noticable. I could have spent my money ANYWHERE, but I choose to go with Piece of Velvet, as the product itself is quite tasty. I placed my order six days (!!) prior to the event so I would be assured it would be ready to go for Thursday December 21. So you can imagine my surprise when my order was not ready upon picking it up, hell it wasn’t even in the Harlem location.

12:40 Arrived at Piece of Velvet in Harlem, to which the Counter Rep, Keisha advised there was no order ready for me, and it would not be there until 2pm.

1:45 I return back to the Harlem location, Waiting patiently for 2pm.

2:15 I question the Counter Rep, was the delievery, going to be coming soon? Was Advised, the van has left Bklyn, and would be here, but did not have a solid time of arrival.

3:40 Van still not arrived, Still no time of arrival. I asked where specifically was the van currently, Keisha advised, she was told they were on their way.

4:15 Van Arrives at the Bklyn store, Advised by Counter Rep Keisha the van would be at the Harlem Location in twenty minutes.

5:00 Offered beverage, since I had been in the store for now, over four hours.

5:45 Van arrives, advised my order was not with the arrival of products. Driver suggested it may have gone to the Bklyn Store. Counter rep Keisha makes several calls, was advised my original order was ‘messed up’ by a driver, and a new batch of cupcakes were being created.

5:50 Driver takes my number, and advises he will bring my order to Laguardia Airport as a courtesy.

So At this point, I am frustrated, furious and just plain ole angry, that there has been no communication. Especially when the order was placed in advanced. I head to work with the thought that eventually what I ordered will be delivered to me. So imagine my utter surprise when I call the driver, and he tells me he doesn’t know where the cupcakes are, and that there is so much traffic. Its embarrassing that as a company, this is what you do? This is how you handle discrepancies with customers? I was as respectful and polite as a person could be. There was no manager, no owner, nothing. Granted the Yelp Reviews are in shambles, but I never had an issue with them, I also have never made a custom order. I know better for next time, but I felt it my duty to warn you guys. Be careful with whom you decided to spend with, some folks could care less about customer service.

With Love,

Tristan Jonez.

 

CupcakeLand

I’ve been obsessed with cupcakes since I was a kid. Growing up my dad wasn’t big on allowing sweets such as candy, but cupcakes were allowed only on special occasions. So now when I treat myself to one, its always an occasion. I take my time to admire the cupcake, even if its from one of my favorite bakeries. I take the time to appreciate the work of art, thats currently in front of me. I let my cupcakes know that I am truly appreciative for the joy that its about to bring. Thanks to my father, as an adult I still won’t really eat candy, but a cupcake, a cupcake has the ability to make me weak in the knees.

My favorite eatery currently is Piece of Velvet! The cupcakes/cakes melt in your mouth. I promise! It’s like upon first bite, you are navigated into a different time and space, a place where your taste buds have reached the highest peak.

Tristan Jonez

SideNote: Although I have my favorites Im always looking to try new places, so Let know know what bakeries, are you favorite?

SweetShop

A trip, any destination, virtually means nothing without a trip to a cupcake shop. While in Salt Lake City, I just had to sample one of the Best Cupcake shop, which happened to be Sweet Cake Bake Shop located in Downtown Utah. The shop is nestled on a cute lil street next to a few eateries. 


Of course being the person I am I arrive twenty minutes before closing time, so I kept it simple with three mini cupcakes, chocolate, hummingbird and carrot cake. (Sorry, No Red Velvet this time) Surprisingly the Carrot Cake was my absolute favorite, it was like biting into a sunny day the first day after rain. So super moist but not overly sweet. It was perfection. Chocolate would have to be second as it was almost too sweet but they somehow managed to add just the right mixture. Unfortunately hummingbird fell flat, it just had no umph, no kick. 

I must say this was a “sweet” stop in my exploration of Utah. If ever in Utah, be sure to add Sweet Cake on your list of stops. 

Sweet Cake Bake Shop

457 E 300th S

Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Tristan Jonez