Cuptails & Dreams
posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007
There’s something about cupcakes that puts a smile on my face. It could have something to do with the multi-hued frosting and the way it curls up into a fine point on top of a fluffy cake of my choosing. Perhaps it’s the sprinkles, bringing me back to my childhood, along with many failed -- yet enjoyable -- attempts at baking with my mom or at sleepovers with friends.
Reena Francisco of Cuptails & Dreams understands the deep attachment that her urban market has with cupcakes and she’s entered the single-serving dessert industry with this insight -- and with so much more.
Cuptails
“My cupcakes are cocktail-inspired. My Mojito cuptail (P55.00) has a mint leaf garnish grown from my own garden and has a subtle taste of lime upon first bite,” Reena says.
In addition to being the only cupcakes out there that are cocktail-inspired, Reena’s cupcakes also taste as good as they look. And although I’m not a food critic by any means, I am quite experienced in knowing a good cupcake when I taste one, and Reena’s is one of the best that I’ve had here in Manila -- and the most unique I’ve tasted -- ever. Although they are cocktail-inspired and have a hint of liquor in them, what come out in the cakes are really fruit-based tastes. For example, the Pina Colada had chunks of pineapple cushioned in a moist cake, topped with a hearty -- and I mean hearty -- buttercream frosting.
The Frosting
“I’m not shy about the frosting! I believe that a cupcake should have a generous amount of it because it adds to its aesthetic quality. When you open up a box of Cuptails & Dreams, it should make you smile -- and part of that is really the magic of the frosting,” confirms Reena.
Forget all of the comparisons and hype surrounding cupcake cafes in New York, the Bay Area, L.A., and even Sydney. Cuptails & Dreams stands on its own. And this is because Reena understands her market well -- as to be expected of someone with an advertising background.
“The urbanites out there always want something new and they’re always going out to new bars and restaurants, trying new drinks and cocktails -- so I thought, why not put together a dessert that will reflect the cupcake craze that’s gained momentum here, along with a product that is unique and never been done in this particular way before? That’s how Cuptails & Dreams was born,” says Reena, who found herself having brainstorming conversations about her dessert venture between pillow talks with her supportive husband.
Sure, Reena still has her cupcake staples (called Dreams), such as the Vanilla Sky (vanilla cupcake topped with light blue vanilla buttercream frosting, P40.00), Original Sin (chocolate cupcake topped with dark chocolate buttercream frosting, P55.00), and Pink Lemonade (lemon cupcake topped with pink lemon buttercream frosting, P45.00). If you can’t seem to let go of the ordinary cupcake flavors -- or if you want to get a dozen for your little niece or nephew -- then this would be the way to go.
But Reena urges others to go ahead and try her distinct cuptail flavors. “The Screaming O is our best-seller (chocolate cupcake with Kahlua, topped with Bailey's buttercream frosting, P55.00). People love the Bailey’s buttercream frosting! And for those who want something light and fluffy, then I suggest the Pina Colada (pineapple upside-down cupcake with Coconut Rum, topped with pineapple buttercream frosting, P55.00).”
For Reena, Cuptails & Dreams really is a dream come true. She’s been baking since she was a kid and says that cooking, baking and other kitchen-centered activities are in her blood. She and her husband have already expanded their cupcake collection to include Bars (Brunette for the fudge brownie, Blondie for the gooey butterscotch bar, Red Head for red butterscotch, and Afro for the revel bar) and Oreo d'evours -- your beloved Oreo cookie topped with fillings and toppings of your choosing.
Knowing that all cupcakes are not created equal, Cuptails & Dreams really stands out from the rest for its consistent -- I tried seven -- dedication to creating a fluffy and moist cake that’s topped with a buttercream frosting so sweet to make your eyes go wide with glee, without ever overpowering the cake. Don’t worry, you can still be the designated driver after having a few cuptails as the liquor content is just a dash -– which is why it’s both adult and kid-friendly.
For orders and the complete Cuptails & Dream product list, please contact Reena Francisco at 0927-5653261 or e-mail order@cuptailsanddreams.com and/or cuptailsanddreams@hotmail.com. Please place your order 3 days in advance.
Photo Credits:
Photographer and Food-Stylist: Mary Rose Pena
Photographer: Rico Ramoso
Make-Up Artist: Claire Diokno from Shu Uemura
Hair Stylist: Ricky Diokno from Khiel's
Venue: Magnet Cafe Bonifacio High Street
Reena Francisco of Cuptails & Dreams understands the deep attachment that her urban market has with cupcakes and she’s entered the single-serving dessert industry with this insight -- and with so much more.
Cuptails
“My cupcakes are cocktail-inspired. My Mojito cuptail (P55.00) has a mint leaf garnish grown from my own garden and has a subtle taste of lime upon first bite,” Reena says.
The Frosting
“I’m not shy about the frosting! I believe that a cupcake should have a generous amount of it because it adds to its aesthetic quality. When you open up a box of Cuptails & Dreams, it should make you smile -- and part of that is really the magic of the frosting,” confirms Reena.
Forget all of the comparisons and hype surrounding cupcake cafes in New York, the Bay Area, L.A., and even Sydney. Cuptails & Dreams stands on its own. And this is because Reena understands her market well -- as to be expected of someone with an advertising background.
“The urbanites out there always want something new and they’re always going out to new bars and restaurants, trying new drinks and cocktails -- so I thought, why not put together a dessert that will reflect the cupcake craze that’s gained momentum here, along with a product that is unique and never been done in this particular way before? That’s how Cuptails & Dreams was born,” says Reena, who found herself having brainstorming conversations about her dessert venture between pillow talks with her supportive husband.
Sure, Reena still has her cupcake staples (called Dreams), such as the Vanilla Sky (vanilla cupcake topped with light blue vanilla buttercream frosting, P40.00), Original Sin (chocolate cupcake topped with dark chocolate buttercream frosting, P55.00), and Pink Lemonade (lemon cupcake topped with pink lemon buttercream frosting, P45.00). If you can’t seem to let go of the ordinary cupcake flavors -- or if you want to get a dozen for your little niece or nephew -- then this would be the way to go.
But Reena urges others to go ahead and try her distinct cuptail flavors. “The Screaming O is our best-seller (chocolate cupcake with Kahlua, topped with Bailey's buttercream frosting, P55.00). People love the Bailey’s buttercream frosting! And for those who want something light and fluffy, then I suggest the Pina Colada (pineapple upside-down cupcake with Coconut Rum, topped with pineapple buttercream frosting, P55.00).”
For Reena, Cuptails & Dreams really is a dream come true. She’s been baking since she was a kid and says that cooking, baking and other kitchen-centered activities are in her blood. She and her husband have already expanded their cupcake collection to include Bars (Brunette for the fudge brownie, Blondie for the gooey butterscotch bar, Red Head for red butterscotch, and Afro for the revel bar) and Oreo d'evours -- your beloved Oreo cookie topped with fillings and toppings of your choosing.
Knowing that all cupcakes are not created equal, Cuptails & Dreams really stands out from the rest for its consistent -- I tried seven -- dedication to creating a fluffy and moist cake that’s topped with a buttercream frosting so sweet to make your eyes go wide with glee, without ever overpowering the cake. Don’t worry, you can still be the designated driver after having a few cuptails as the liquor content is just a dash -– which is why it’s both adult and kid-friendly.
For orders and the complete Cuptails & Dream product list, please contact Reena Francisco at 0927-5653261 or e-mail order@cuptailsanddreams.com and/or cuptailsanddreams@hotmail.com. Please place your order 3 days in advance.
Photo Credits:
Photographer and Food-Stylist: Mary Rose Pena
Photographer: Rico Ramoso
Make-Up Artist: Claire Diokno from Shu Uemura
Hair Stylist: Ricky Diokno from Khiel's
Venue: Magnet Cafe Bonifacio High Street
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