Desserts

With the Cheesecake factory becoming almost ubiquitous in most medium sized cities, there aren't as many opportunities for competitors... unless they are really really good.

You wouldn't necessarily expect that Greensboro would have an extraordinary cheesecake store - I wasn't expecting much when I found the little store in Downtown, near UNC-G.... but I was pleasantly surprised.

Cheesecake by Alex - simple name - and no question has to what they specialize in. About 10 different offerings were available in their display case. More unique flavors, such as Creme Brule sparked my person interest. For just under $4 a slice - the cheescake was smooth, flavorful, and just right. The crust added just enough texture, without being overwhelming - I was a bit disappointed that I didn't have more stomach to have more. For those in a similar situation - they offer a sampler that works out to about $2 something a slice... which we will definitely get next time. The brownies, muffins and cookies looked wonderful also!

Cheesecakes by Alex
315 S Elm St
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 273-0970

Going to NYC anytime soon? Apparently an old friend has been in Time Magazine for his inspired Dessert Truck in NYC. Located at 8th St. and University place, in the Greenwich Village area.

If you are up there - try it their delicious desserts out!

Dessert Truck
8th St and University Place
New York City

As we have talked about previously, we enjoy a great gelato store. Having tried to keep up to date with the local "gelato scene", we were pleasantly surprised on a trip to Chill Bubble, that Sugarland had opened across the street on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. With our never-satisfied sweet tooth, we decided to stop on in.

We were greeted by a display case with a variety of standard, and not so standard but delicious sounding flavors. First, was the chocolate pear - delicious! A not-too-sweet rendition of the two flavors; it was a delightful blend. The standard fruit flavors were also delightful.

We have yet to try their coffees or the beignets... but we will be back, soon!

Bubble Tea has been a fad in some asian communities for almost a decade now; in college towns, you can often find a place... we've been surprised that none has made it to any of the campuses in the Triangle. You can get a bubble tea at Grand Asia in Cary; but it never made it to our standards in terms of the consistency of the bubbles (tapioca starch) or available flavors.

We were pleasantly surprised when Chill Bubble opened up on Franklin Street. The owner, apparently non-Asian, was introduced to the concept during his trips to Taiwan. He has expressed his take on the bubble teas as a couple of simple fruity and basic flavors. The fruit drinks are made with natural flavors, and generally don't have the overly artificial flavors of other places. The bubbles are consistently made also, one of the essential components of a great bubble tea shop.

For those who know, or for those who want to learn about bubble tea, this place is a great place to try it out!

Chill Bubble tea
145 E Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Two new cupcake themed shops have opened recently in the Triangle. The first is at the far end of Glenwood in Raleigh, named the Cupcake Shoppe. Simply and elegantly decorated, the cupcake display dominates the center of the shop. A window into the backroom showed the baker/owner hard at work frosting her latest creations. We were excited by the range of flavors available; from the "Plain Jane", to the "Big Red" and the "Mint Condition". As well as the Blackberry that they were fresh out of. The cupcakes were "normal" in size, not the gargantuan split with three people cupcakes seen on the Food Network, with a mound of shell shaped frosting that was about the same height as the cupcake itself. The cake itself was moist and full of flavor; the frosting was sugar high sweet without being disgustingly so. The flavors were aptly named, with an accent of elegance as compared to the grocery store kid's choices. Cupcakes are made fresh throughout the day, and the shop closes as late as 11 PM on many nights. We didn't get a chance to go back after dinner... but this will be a regular stop in our Raleigh adventures.

The Cupcake Shoppe
104 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh NC 27603
919-821-4223.

Loco Pops has now opened up a store in Chapel Hill, located on the far end of Franklin Street (Carrboro direction). It is just behind Penang. See you there!

Loco Pops Chapel Hill
308 West Rosemary Street
Chapel Hill, NC