Humming what? You ask? Hummingbird Bakery I say.
I have never heard of Hummingbird Bakery and do not know about their story. I normally am the type who prefers the small and personal bakeries over the big kahunas of the industry. I'm the type who always go to corner shop bakeries back home or any other countries I had the pleasure of visiting. Those are the places that tells me stories, and who doesn't like an interesting story?
In this bustling city of Dubai however, bakeries ala corner shops are few and far between. I do have strong affiliation to the Davids in this battle with the Goliaths, but as a foodie, I have to think that Davids can't be the underdog forever, at some point in their business lives, they'll hope to grow and belong with the giant leagues.... and so with an open mind and a great appetite, I marched down to Hummingbird Bakery to give it a shot.
The entrance of the bakery is a welcoming sight to behold. It's open and airy and you feel like you're either being welcomed with a humongous hug or you are being enchanted by the gorgeous treats. I love the motif a whole lot. The varying colours of pink contrasting the brown screams "scrumptious" and "decadence". It's classy without being snobbish. Their décor says WELCOME to all walks of life, young and old, man or woman as long as you have sweet cravings, ENTER (at your own peril... hee hee hee! *witch's squeaky voice)
I have never heard of Hummingbird Bakery and do not know about their story. I normally am the type who prefers the small and personal bakeries over the big kahunas of the industry. I'm the type who always go to corner shop bakeries back home or any other countries I had the pleasure of visiting. Those are the places that tells me stories, and who doesn't like an interesting story?
In this bustling city of Dubai however, bakeries ala corner shops are few and far between. I do have strong affiliation to the Davids in this battle with the Goliaths, but as a foodie, I have to think that Davids can't be the underdog forever, at some point in their business lives, they'll hope to grow and belong with the giant leagues.... and so with an open mind and a great appetite, I marched down to Hummingbird Bakery to give it a shot.
The entrance of the bakery is a welcoming sight to behold. It's open and airy and you feel like you're either being welcomed with a humongous hug or you are being enchanted by the gorgeous treats. I love the motif a whole lot. The varying colours of pink contrasting the brown screams "scrumptious" and "decadence". It's classy without being snobbish. Their décor says WELCOME to all walks of life, young and old, man or woman as long as you have sweet cravings, ENTER (at your own peril... hee hee hee! *witch's squeaky voice)
Right from the counter and cashier are seven tables that could sit fourteen customers. I know, we had the same thoughts,,, a bit of a small area to dine in or hang out. They serve hot and cold drinks which will be ideal after a loooong walk roaming the mall. Plus their treats are indulgents... one will require extended sitting to fully enjoy the HBB experience.
Maybe they'll take some space outside their shop once they get inundated with customers' request or maybe they will not and just promote customers to grab and go. Either way, it's worth a trip.
Maybe they'll take some space outside their shop once they get inundated with customers' request or maybe they will not and just promote customers to grab and go. Either way, it's worth a trip.
Seated smack in the middle of the sitting area with a good view of HBB traffic and mall roamers, I waited longingly though patiently for the selection of cupcakes to arrive. I had fun admiring the cupcakes on display by the window. I counted all 100 of them. Real cupcakes with real icing of different colours. A little sad to find out that it's disposed of after three days. I just consoled myself with the fact that not all of their creations will be sold before it's expiration so why not recycle them as part of their décor.
And so... after just few clicks... tasting begun.
And so... after just few clicks... tasting begun.
It is a clever thing that they use the actual crumbs of the cupcake to know the flavour. I supposed with the selections they have, it is easy to get confuse.
The one in front is the Red Velvet Cupcake with cream cheese frosting. Next to it with brown bits on top is the Black Bottom and the one with the mint colour frosting and confetti on top is the Vanilla Cupcake. The adopted child next to BB sporting a walnut on top is the Carrot Cupcake
I started with the controversial name, the Black Bottom. Wowser! It is chocolate indulgence. I'm not much for the icing, it's hard to please me with icing. I'll look at it, adore it, taste a little of it but that's just about it. I always go straight to the essence and these baby has flavours reminscent of a cross between Chili's Molten Lava Cake (yes, unless you've been living under a rock, you know what I'm talking about) without the caramel & ice cream, and yummy fudgy brownies. It's so good, it's obscene. Dessert glory indeed.
Next in line was the Red Velvet, it's what you expect from a red velvet, it's chocolatey cupcake garbed in red robe. The cream cheese frosting adds a good dimension to the cupcake but still... too sweet for me.
The Vanilla Cupcake is the mellowest of them all and so if you are not into scientific combinations or you want to balance out the other sinful treats in front of you, make Vanilla your breather cupcake. :P
Last of the cupcake I tasted was the Carrot Cupcake. It had a wonderful texture, balance flavour, it's almost close to home for me... almost tasting like a home-made carrot cupcake and that's how I want carrot cupcakes to make me feel.
As if I'm not yet full to the brim... additional goodies were asked for tasting.
The one in front is the Red Velvet Cupcake with cream cheese frosting. Next to it with brown bits on top is the Black Bottom and the one with the mint colour frosting and confetti on top is the Vanilla Cupcake. The adopted child next to BB sporting a walnut on top is the Carrot Cupcake
I started with the controversial name, the Black Bottom. Wowser! It is chocolate indulgence. I'm not much for the icing, it's hard to please me with icing. I'll look at it, adore it, taste a little of it but that's just about it. I always go straight to the essence and these baby has flavours reminscent of a cross between Chili's Molten Lava Cake (yes, unless you've been living under a rock, you know what I'm talking about) without the caramel & ice cream, and yummy fudgy brownies. It's so good, it's obscene. Dessert glory indeed.
Next in line was the Red Velvet, it's what you expect from a red velvet, it's chocolatey cupcake garbed in red robe. The cream cheese frosting adds a good dimension to the cupcake but still... too sweet for me.
The Vanilla Cupcake is the mellowest of them all and so if you are not into scientific combinations or you want to balance out the other sinful treats in front of you, make Vanilla your breather cupcake. :P
Last of the cupcake I tasted was the Carrot Cupcake. It had a wonderful texture, balance flavour, it's almost close to home for me... almost tasting like a home-made carrot cupcake and that's how I want carrot cupcakes to make me feel.
As if I'm not yet full to the brim... additional goodies were asked for tasting.
Up there is what's called, Red Velvet Whoopie Pie. I stubbed it, ate a little bit and stared at it. It is soooo pretty. It's my first time to eat whoopie pie and I have no point of comparison. The texture of the pie is a cross between a really dense brownie and a cookie. The filling is cream cheese and marshmallow mixture. A bit on the sweet side for me. Whoopie pie seems to be just not my thing. I researched about how it should be and it seems like HBB did as per the recipe. So for anyone who loves Whoopie Pie... head to HBB and go whoop-a-doodle-doo! They also have Chocolate Whoopie Pie where the filling is much simpler, it doesn't include marshmallow. Anywho, for Whoopie Pie experts, please let me know if it taste how it should be :)
Last but not the least and my second favourite... Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownie. This surprised me more than any in the shop. The raspberry whipped cream was fresh and light. It's so fresh that it has to be eaten an hour after it's bought. Doubt though that it will last untouched for an hour. It's like biting on clouds. The cream cheese added another level to the overall taste and married the light whipped cream and the dense rich chocolate brownie in harmony. What a beautiful dessert.
Of all the goodies given to me for my boys, one stood out... the BLACK BOTTOM, hands down. My youngest even did a pause, a stare and a "WOW, that . is. so. good!"
I didn't get the chance to taste the others because frankly, though I would l ike to be the epitome of a true fooderati, I'm still human and I cannot taste every single thing on offer no matter how much negotiation I made with my will power.
It was an enjoyable tasting day but here comes a tiny wee bit of my constructive suggestions: more tables, better quality paper bag (mine started deteriorating before I reached the car), hummingbird dusting on some drinks just like on the brownie bar and a little less grainy on icing, unless of course that's how it's always been, then pppfffft! DO. NOT. MIND. LOONY. ME.
I took lots of pictures of the other ones though, they look yum. Enjoy the rest of my humble shots!
Of all the goodies given to me for my boys, one stood out... the BLACK BOTTOM, hands down. My youngest even did a pause, a stare and a "WOW, that . is. so. good!"
I didn't get the chance to taste the others because frankly, though I would l ike to be the epitome of a true fooderati, I'm still human and I cannot taste every single thing on offer no matter how much negotiation I made with my will power.
It was an enjoyable tasting day but here comes a tiny wee bit of my constructive suggestions: more tables, better quality paper bag (mine started deteriorating before I reached the car), hummingbird dusting on some drinks just like on the brownie bar and a little less grainy on icing, unless of course that's how it's always been, then pppfffft! DO. NOT. MIND. LOONY. ME.
I took lots of pictures of the other ones though, they look yum. Enjoy the rest of my humble shots!
Hummingbird Bakery is in the lower ground floor of the Dubai Mall, across Patchi.
If you're like me who have not heard of Hummingbird Bakery... then CLICK HERE to know a little of their history.
Curious about What I Wore Today? http://www.wiwt.com/user/AcousticChef/45691/
If you're like me who have not heard of Hummingbird Bakery... then CLICK HERE to know a little of their history.
Curious about What I Wore Today? http://www.wiwt.com/user/AcousticChef/45691/
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