Utah is well known for its love of all things cupcake. Case in point, UtahLovesCupcakes. I wasn't so sure, as my previous experience in Utah (during an ill-fated cross-country road trip when I was a teenager) hadn't been stellar. This trip was certainly different.
I will admit, from the get-go, that I was fascinated by the landscape and the people. I acted toward them the way visitors act toward the East Village when they come to NYC. I stared. I gawked. I tried to be mature and respectful, but I can't say I always was. They all looked so...fresh-faced and wholesome! And everyone was respectful and polite and helpful.
The geography of Southern Utah included some of the most beautiful landscape I'd ever seen. Zion National Park brought tears to my eyes with its beauty, and profoundly moved me. I took more snapshots here than anywhere else on my travels.
I would so love to go back. Another trip, perhaps.
Another high point of this part of my trip was getting to meet Joey Dye of TwentyFive Main in St. George and gobble down some of his amazing cupcakes.
Luckily, we were staying in St. George, and the cupcake parlor was only a few blocks away.
TwentyFive Main would be a wonderful and welcoming spot in any place, but it was especially welcoming to this weary traveler, looking for coffee (good coffee...) and a sugary cupcake pick-me-up.
First thing you notice is that the restaurant is separated from the cupcake parlor. During my hour or so at the parlor I noticed families coming in to pick up their after-lunch cupcake for the kids. I loved hearing parents say, "You have to finish all your lunch if you want a cupcake." It seems that never goes out of style. I remember my folks telling me the same sort of thing.
The cupcakes are made according to a daily schedule, which is available online, as well as at the bakery.
Joey tells us that all his frostings are made with real fruit (in the form of a compote), and that he remains committed to using the freshest basic ingredients and not messing with them. Joey also recycled/repurposed the floor boards, making them into beautiful tables. He considers himself to be "practical green" about the movement, with an eco-friendly restaurant and parlor.
Our table had a heart in it. Aw...
The decorations, brand colors and theme were carried throughout.
I loved this personalized mug. I also loved the damn fine coffee that was in it.
To keep the kids (and everyone else) amused, there are also store birds:
Atticus and Scout, the birds.
And plush cupcake decorations:
But enough about all that, let's get down to it: the cupcakes.
They were terrific!
We tried one of each of the following:
My favorite was, by far, the vanilla cake with strawberry frosting. It was a killer cupcake. Instead of my usual 1/4 or 1/8 slice of cupcake I ate almost the entire thing. Mmm...SO good.
The cake was cake-y (that sounds stupid, but it's the best descriptor I could find). Its dough was moist, dense and flavorful. Like cake mix cake, only much better. The frosting was sweet but not overly sweet (blessedly) and not grainy at all. The clear tart yet sweet strawberry taste came through in every bite. Long after I left Utah I would think about this cupcake.
The raspberry was pretty good too.
The cupcakes were all a good size -- not too big, not too small. Perfect for the kids who were lined up ready to select their favorite flavor.
I know I keep saying this, but I am not a chocolate cake fan. I decided to take pity on my already-overstuffed cupcaking companion and eat the chocolate mocha cupcake myself.
It was amazing! And that's saying something because it's hard for me to like a chocolate cupcake. It was almost a brownie it was so fudge-y and rich. The mocha came through just fine, especially with the bean topper. This cupcake with a glass of ice-cold milk. I'm just sayin'.
There are also other adult flavors, like the chai latte cupcake:
I think this was my first chai latte cupcake but it wasn't my last. I've developed a soft spot for chai lattes.
I tried very hard to pump Joey for information, but he was sweetly close-mouthed. He wouldn't admit to any favorite flavors, saying that he's moody and his favorites change from day to day. He wouldn't tell me which cupcake was the best seller, saying they all sold well, which I believe. Joey did admit to plans for expansion, possibly in Vegas or LA. Joey's active on Twitter and quite amusing as well.
If you are in Southern Utah, or even if you are not, TwentyFive Main is a great place to go for lunch or dinner, followed by an endless cupcake orgy.
The carnage.
TwentyFive Main
Monday through Thursday: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
Friday and Saturday 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
25 N. Main Street - St. George, UT 84770
435-628-7110
contact [at] twentyfivemain.com
See the complete set of images here; all photos by Stacie Joy.
I will admit, from the get-go, that I was fascinated by the landscape and the people. I acted toward them the way visitors act toward the East Village when they come to NYC. I stared. I gawked. I tried to be mature and respectful, but I can't say I always was. They all looked so...fresh-faced and wholesome! And everyone was respectful and polite and helpful.
The geography of Southern Utah included some of the most beautiful landscape I'd ever seen. Zion National Park brought tears to my eyes with its beauty, and profoundly moved me. I took more snapshots here than anywhere else on my travels.
I would so love to go back. Another trip, perhaps.
Another high point of this part of my trip was getting to meet Joey Dye of TwentyFive Main in St. George and gobble down some of his amazing cupcakes.
Luckily, we were staying in St. George, and the cupcake parlor was only a few blocks away.
TwentyFive Main would be a wonderful and welcoming spot in any place, but it was especially welcoming to this weary traveler, looking for coffee (good coffee...) and a sugary cupcake pick-me-up.
First thing you notice is that the restaurant is separated from the cupcake parlor. During my hour or so at the parlor I noticed families coming in to pick up their after-lunch cupcake for the kids. I loved hearing parents say, "You have to finish all your lunch if you want a cupcake." It seems that never goes out of style. I remember my folks telling me the same sort of thing.
The cupcakes are made according to a daily schedule, which is available online, as well as at the bakery.
Joey tells us that all his frostings are made with real fruit (in the form of a compote), and that he remains committed to using the freshest basic ingredients and not messing with them. Joey also recycled/repurposed the floor boards, making them into beautiful tables. He considers himself to be "practical green" about the movement, with an eco-friendly restaurant and parlor.
Our table had a heart in it. Aw...
The decorations, brand colors and theme were carried throughout.
I loved this personalized mug. I also loved the damn fine coffee that was in it.
To keep the kids (and everyone else) amused, there are also store birds:
Atticus and Scout, the birds.
And plush cupcake decorations:
But enough about all that, let's get down to it: the cupcakes.
They were terrific!
We tried one of each of the following:
My favorite was, by far, the vanilla cake with strawberry frosting. It was a killer cupcake. Instead of my usual 1/4 or 1/8 slice of cupcake I ate almost the entire thing. Mmm...SO good.
The cake was cake-y (that sounds stupid, but it's the best descriptor I could find). Its dough was moist, dense and flavorful. Like cake mix cake, only much better. The frosting was sweet but not overly sweet (blessedly) and not grainy at all. The clear tart yet sweet strawberry taste came through in every bite. Long after I left Utah I would think about this cupcake.
The raspberry was pretty good too.
The cupcakes were all a good size -- not too big, not too small. Perfect for the kids who were lined up ready to select their favorite flavor.
I know I keep saying this, but I am not a chocolate cake fan. I decided to take pity on my already-overstuffed cupcaking companion and eat the chocolate mocha cupcake myself.
It was amazing! And that's saying something because it's hard for me to like a chocolate cupcake. It was almost a brownie it was so fudge-y and rich. The mocha came through just fine, especially with the bean topper. This cupcake with a glass of ice-cold milk. I'm just sayin'.
There are also other adult flavors, like the chai latte cupcake:
I think this was my first chai latte cupcake but it wasn't my last. I've developed a soft spot for chai lattes.
I tried very hard to pump Joey for information, but he was sweetly close-mouthed. He wouldn't admit to any favorite flavors, saying that he's moody and his favorites change from day to day. He wouldn't tell me which cupcake was the best seller, saying they all sold well, which I believe. Joey did admit to plans for expansion, possibly in Vegas or LA. Joey's active on Twitter and quite amusing as well.
If you are in Southern Utah, or even if you are not, TwentyFive Main is a great place to go for lunch or dinner, followed by an endless cupcake orgy.
The carnage.
TwentyFive Main
Monday through Thursday: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
Friday and Saturday 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
25 N. Main Street - St. George, UT 84770
435-628-7110
contact [at] twentyfivemain.com
See the complete set of images here; all photos by Stacie Joy.
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