I entered Eleni's Cupcake shop in the Chelsea Market.
Let me rephrase that: I was reeled in quickly like a line-caught trout heroically flopping away for freedom but tragically hooked by the smell of frosting and cake.
They must pump that heavenly smell above the entrance for people like me who are slaves to their salivary glands.
My inner magpie was dazzled by the bright pink store with old fashioned glass cake tiers filled with perfect tiny frosted cakes in colorful shapes and tantalizing flavors.
"Can I take a picture?"
"Only if you buy one. And only of that cupcake. Not the whole store."
"Okay. Hmmmm... is that really McCain?... I'll take that one."
For some odd reason the little shop only had McCain cupcakes of the political persuasion. No Obama, no Palin, no Liberman – just McCain. I'm not sure why. Honestly I couldn't figure out if they were celebrating him, pawning off leftovers from the RNC, or indulging customers in some twisted fantasy.
And frankly, I was sort of curious as to how they would flavor the presidential candidate.
I asked the staff, "Why McCain?" but nobody answered. They just sort of shrugged, smirked, and looked sheepishly between one another.
And yes, I could have chosen one of the vanilla cakes topped with flakes of dried coconut clear up to the sky or a strawberry one with girlish pink swirls of buttercream. But...
this was so much more satisfying.
Forgive me?
hahaha - that was way too funny!
Posted by: Arundathi | September 16, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Love it!
Posted by: Kalyn | September 16, 2008 at 07:53 PM
Love it... what a tasty munch. Yummm.
Het
Posted by: het | September 16, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Sure wish I could have bought one as well. Though I'm not sure I would have taken dainty bites.
Posted by: lilalia | September 16, 2008 at 10:34 PM
They wouldn't let you take a picture and they were eyeing you with suspicion? Are you sure you're not still in Paris?
Posted by: David | September 17, 2008 at 01:45 AM
It's great that you bit his head off first!
Posted by: Moira | September 17, 2008 at 03:13 AM
Ha, that's awesome Amy! Great story!! ;-)
Posted by: Marine | September 17, 2008 at 05:19 AM
I know, right? What's up with not being allowed to take pictures. That's so Parisian. Who do they think they are? Pierre Hermé?
Posted by: Ms. Glaze | September 17, 2008 at 07:29 AM
I bet they only said "no pictures" because you asked! When in doubt, just take the photo! What are they gonna do, chase you out of the store? hehe
Posted by: akinoluna | September 17, 2008 at 09:35 AM
You are not only forgiven, you are applauded.
Posted by: Bob | September 17, 2008 at 12:30 PM
HAHAHA!
Posted by: Alison | September 17, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Why didn't you just break out le francais? S'il vous plait, puis-je faire les photos? Les petite gateaux, ils sont tres chic.. Quoi? Je ne comprends pas...
So, what kind of taste does McCain leave in your mouth?
Posted by: SAS | September 17, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Vanilla, very vanilla...
There was this big poster upon entering with a camera and a big cross through it. I've been scolded so many times in Paris, that I just immediately obeyed instructions. Silly me.
Posted by: Ms. Glaze | September 17, 2008 at 10:33 PM
They usually have Obama cupcakes at Eleni's; they must have sold out. I got in trouble for taking a picture of broccoli at Whole Foods the other day. "If you take another picture,I'm going to have to ask you to leave.", said the 18 year old "team member".
Posted by: Margery Cohen | September 18, 2008 at 06:56 AM
Margery! I'm so glad you dropped by. Thank You for sharpening my knives. So far so good!
I'm going to leave my job as a cook as become an agent / body guard for fruits, vegetables, and cupcakes. Le Grand Epicerie in Paris also won't let you take pics.
Why?!?!?
Posted by: Ms. Glaze | September 18, 2008 at 09:05 AM
I thought NY was a blue state. Thank God, there're weren't no Sarah Palin cupcakes. I'd vomit.
Posted by: Eddie Lin | September 19, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Very funny. I'm going to forward this to all my French friends. They'll love it.
Posted by: rachel | September 19, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Hilarious! Especially the time-lapse destruction of the thing!
Posted by: BooRadley4000AD | September 20, 2008 at 04:17 PM
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Posted by: kristina | September 20, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Hey there... I just posted your McCain Cupcake post on Wonkette.
I'm serious! The Right Wing Kook Book!
Posted by: MATTHEW ROSE | October 04, 2008 at 08:11 PM