Dolcissimo in Costa Mesa, or, How A Red Velvet Cupcake Saved My Soul

After leaving Wonderland Bakery unsatisfied, our cupcake quest led us to Dolcissimo in Costa Mesa. And there, the most perfect Red Velvet cupcake EVER.

*Dolcissimo*
560 W. 19th Street
Costa Mesa, CA, 92627
(949) 548-4700
dolcissimobakeshop.com

Dolcissimo is simply cute, clean and focused. The immaculate, pretty-pastel interior compliments the impeccably arranged and decorated cupcakes. Nothing about the decor is too loud, and the cupcakes shine.

On this first visit, we each ordered 3 cupcakes and each paid $9 -- not bad, for Orange County.

The treats were wrapped in an adorable brown box, perfect for toting to the table outside, where we proceeded to devour the entire order. It was impossible not to: Dolcissimo's cupcakes are *#$@%^#$%&*explicitexplicit$%^$%@$*&DELICIOUS.

The Red Velvet was the perfect hue, texture and light chocolate taste. The cake was super dense, with the tiniest air bubbles I've ever seen: pure perfection. I almost wept. I'm almost weeping recalling it now. The cream cheese frosting: Perfectly smooth, fresh, addictive, dreamy, and topped with a petite violet candy.
Dolcissimo has perfected the Red Velvet cupcake.

Here are some dramatic before and after photos:

I guess this is technically a "during" photo

This is "after." Le sigh ...

The Chocolate Fantasy cupcake was what I've always wanted in a chocolate on chocolate on chocolate cupcake, but never been able to articulate: Fudgy cake, light cocoa frosting, completely covered in fine chocolate sprinkles.
It was like taking a nap in a See's Candy truffle. I wish it never ended, but it did, so I ate my final cupcake: Lemonberry.

Dolcissimo's Lemonberry was a nice choice for a closer: Its light cake is almost muffin-y, and topped with a fluffy blueberry frosting cloud. The top of the cake was chewy and the inside was moist, but they flavor could've been zestier. However, my tastebuds were so deluged with flavor from the first two cupcakes, I may just be talking nonsense now. Lemonberry would be perfect with afternoon tea, when you have to feign light and lady-like. But those of us who refuse to feign will save the Lemonberry till after we've eaten 3 - 5 Red Velvets or Chocolate Fantasies.
Yum.

-Dolcissimo wins the "Most Likely to Make Your Friends/Co-Workers/Enemies/Puppies go 'Awwww!!'" Award for their pretty and preppy presentation.

-They get extra points for fresh and delicious taste, and variety of flavors -- check the site for details: Dolcissimobakeshop.com

-The mini-cupcakes inspire even the most composed among us to do crazy things to get them in our mouth A.S.A.P. (See image at the beginning of this post.) Ordering 3 minis for $5 is a great way to sample more flavors with less shame. Thanks Dolcissimo!!

Wonderland Bakery, First Attempt = Sugar-Free Mess of Failure

Wonderland Bakery, Cupcakes & Gifts
Bluffs Shopping Center
1314 Bison @ Mac Arthur
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Our first experience at Wonderland Bakery in Newport Beach was less than stellar. We arrived at 5:30 p.m., bouncing with pure pre-sugar joy, ran up to the entrance, pulled the glass door... and it was locked. We made sad faces at the lone employee inside the dark store, pointing to the lock and shrugging our shoulders. No dice. WTF???

Both the website and the store's 800 number say it's open till 7 p.m. So WTF? I called the store (and heard the message about the 7 p.m. closing time again) and left a message relaying my disappointment and confusion, and asking for a return call to confirm the store hours. No one ever called me back.

This is how I felt inside:


Notice that the mouth is both sad AND empty.

First visit to Wonderland: FAIL
It's gonna be a couple weeks before we make a second attempt, but for the sake of frosting and blogging, we will.