mmm...cakes (Chula Vista)

mmm…cakes has closed after three years. It will be missed.

mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy today; Kirk has no internet access.  

The Mister and I were driving  the other day and a bakery on the SouthWest corner of  Third at F Street in Chula Vista caught our eye.  We parked in the Parking Garage behind this central location (it's still free) and walked over.
 Decorated for the Christmas holidays right now, this space is a good size for being able to sit and have a dessert and coffee.  There are several tables outside also.

After we left, I went to the website and found out the whole story.  Chula Vista native Jose Barajas had participated in several television baking competitions following his 2013 start as a home based cake and dessert business and this shop is the natural progression where he can meet his full creative potential. 
 The pastry display caught our eye first.  
 The basic cheese danish ($4.50) was exquisite,with a delightful filling (not the standard cream cheese chunk as from other places; lighter) with a multi-layered (but not laminated) Danish pastry that was crisp-fresh, buttery and sweet. It was brought out warmed.  Yes, this is how it was served for eat in.  Special. 
 The almond danish  (a bear claw) ($5) was equally wonderful and, as you can see, presented beautifully after warming.  The filling is light and very almond flavored and that dough...wow.  
The separate cake display case.  The choices.  The reason for the name.  Of course we ordered cake. 
 A slice of Hummingbird cake, ($8.50) which is what I consider a 'standard' for upscale cakes was our choice.  The spice cake base, pineapple, banana and finely chopped pecans each had discernible flavor in this multi-layered, buttercream frosted seasonally decorated slice. (It is *not* fondant which is designed for cakes that do not need  refrigeration; you can see the cakes are all refrigerated). Can't wait to try other flavors.

Beverages offered here are hot and cold-a good variety of coffees and teas and smoothies. Weekend pastry offerings include a rotating selection of seasonal flavors!  Happy to have found this family owned, friendly, quality shop. 

mmm...cakes 310 Third Avenue Chula Vista 91910 (619) 500-5162 website Open Mon 7-10 a.m. Tues-Wed-Th 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-5p.m. CLOSED SUNDAY

Comments

[kat]

hummingbird cake sounds delicious!

[Soo]

Good find!

[Joy]

A nice addition to the neighborhood and the Third Street area. Lots of efforts underway to revitalize downtown CV.

[Cathy]

Whenever it was my turn to buy the monthly birthday cake for the office, I always bought a Hummingbird (from a now long gone bakery), Kat. It was because I wanted those flavors.
It's a great place, Soo.
I remember the 'original' downtown area, too, Joy. It was always an interesting walk. It's getting back to being interesting and is so good to see.

[Kirbie]

Heehee, with that name of course you had to try it! The cake looks good =)

[Cathy]

It was nice to see and I sort of wanted to ask about the name...but chickened out, Kirbie. They do know how to bake. The danish (none of the baking is a 'croissant' dough) are quite wonderful. A nice respite.

[caninecologne]

So glad that you and your mister were able to visit mmm-cakes. This is a great addition to downtown CV. Shortly after your visit, they went all out in decorating for Christmas and chose a Gremlins theme (it was fun to see). We tried their Thanksgiving danish and more recently, the other savory danish with roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy and asparagus. It was so delicious. Bert and I will be making our way through their menu over the next few months.

[Cathy]

We hadn't't been in downtown CV in more than a year, cc. This is a great place. I saw just yesterday that they are making savory danishes during the week; not just on weekends!