It's funny to think that it has been almost a year since most of my friends and I made the transition from full-time students to full-time employees or underwent other major changes in our lives. Despite these events, we have managed to stay in touch (largely thanks to the genius behind BBM), and a couple of us have started our own tradition of meeting up every week. But it is not very often that all of us (I'll leave you to guess what that adds up to) get together. So, when word got around that Abu Dhabi's latest food boutique (as I like to call them) and my friend's sister's newest venture was open for business, we were more than happy to show our support by going on a cupcake binge.
Bloomsbury's is located at a strategic place in Wahda Mall - right opposite the pseudo-entrance to the mall's anchor store, Lulu Hypermarket - so that makes it both hard to miss and resist. I personally love the colors chosen for the interiors (red, black and white) and was coincidentally dressed in the same. The decor, lighting and furniture also give the space a very classy vibe. It's the sort of place that you'd like to be seen in regardless of what's on the menu. Nevertheless, what rightfully captures your attention are the mounds of beautifully decorated cupcakes in all colors and flavors behind and on the glass display. And that's what the store specializes in. It could be down to the fact that the store is new, but we didn't have to go through the hassle of choosing from a menu or board. Instead, we picked our cupcakes from what was on display, and I quite liked that arrangement.
Bloomsbury's is located at a strategic place in Wahda Mall - right opposite the pseudo-entrance to the mall's anchor store, Lulu Hypermarket - so that makes it both hard to miss and resist. I personally love the colors chosen for the interiors (red, black and white) and was coincidentally dressed in the same. The decor, lighting and furniture also give the space a very classy vibe. It's the sort of place that you'd like to be seen in regardless of what's on the menu. Nevertheless, what rightfully captures your attention are the mounds of beautifully decorated cupcakes in all colors and flavors behind and on the glass display. And that's what the store specializes in. It could be down to the fact that the store is new, but we didn't have to go through the hassle of choosing from a menu or board. Instead, we picked our cupcakes from what was on display, and I quite liked that arrangement.
Now on to the cupcakes themselves. Between us, we tried 6 different flavors. Trying to recall their store names would be an impossible task, but they were essentially strawberry & cream (my pick), pistachio & chocolate, mocha, raspberry & chocolate, red velvet and chocolate. The most memorable of the lot were strawberry & cream and the chocolate cupcakes, but
what did stand out was the fact that each flavor had a distinct taste true to its corresponding components, instead of tasting like regular icing. I suppose that's where the expertise of a specialty store comes in. I'd like to make a suggestion at this point, although I'm not sure if it's viable in culinary terms or if it would take away from the essence of cupcakes. I think it would be, for the lack of a better word, fun to experiment with the base of the cupcakes. Instead of making the icings the focus of the flavors, it would be interesting to see them incorporated into the sponge base by introducing chocolate chips or bits of nuts or fruits into the batter to echo the flavor of the icing. Purists are likely to disagree!
what did stand out was the fact that each flavor had a distinct taste true to its corresponding components, instead of tasting like regular icing. I suppose that's where the expertise of a specialty store comes in. I'd like to make a suggestion at this point, although I'm not sure if it's viable in culinary terms or if it would take away from the essence of cupcakes. I think it would be, for the lack of a better word, fun to experiment with the base of the cupcakes. Instead of making the icings the focus of the flavors, it would be interesting to see them incorporated into the sponge base by introducing chocolate chips or bits of nuts or fruits into the batter to echo the flavor of the icing. Purists are likely to disagree!
Bloomsbury's also serves up a selection of teas and coffees and meringues.
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