What to get at these cakeries?

[Pei]

My friends and I have decided that dinner this Friday shall be bad fried chicken and great great cake. So we're divvying the town up, and everyone's fetching something from the following:

Berolina for princess cake
Sweet Lady Jane for chocolate layer and berry/white cake
Porto's for ?
Bluebird for?

Does anyone have suggestions for not to miss cakes at any of those bakeries, or bakeries that we HAVE to try? We're going to get one slice of each cake from each place and have at it. And yes, it has to be cake. We're not interested in pastries, mousse, bread, cookies, or any of that other stuff this time. TIA! Report and photos this weekend, I promise.

[WildSwede]

Co-workers got me the Carrot Cake from Porto's for my birthday and it was fantastic. I would say either that or the afore-mentioned Opera Cake or Fruit Tart. Of course, you are already getting my most-fave - Princess Cake from Berolina's!!

[bulavinaka]

I swoon for Princess Cake... just before I leave this earth, I wish to be encased in a Princess Cake... and hope to spend my last breathes eating my way out of it... wow - time to go to sleep...

[Food Good]

First off get good fried chicken at Roscoes. Then go to Susina, try the Bear cake or if they have it the rarely appearing but amazing St. Honore. Of course you could also have their cheesecake, or peanut butter chocolate cake. Ask for what was just sliced.

[slacker]

Bluebird: ANY! but especially the red velvet.

Porto: cheese pastries, for sure.

[bcrall]

I adore Susina Bakery for their Berry Blossom or Chocolate Bear cakes. They're even doing our wedding cake (Berry Blossom, of course!!).

[gnarlex]

I was surprised by the sophisticated flavor of a chocolate cake from Porto's recently. The chocolate reminded me of cakes from Viktor Benes in Gelson's. So my rec is the chocolate hazelnut torte from Viktor Benes. Also, Vallarta Markets in-store bakeries sell tres leches cake "slices" for $1.50 that serve 2-4 people.

[bulavinaka]

I never tried ViktorBenes' Choc Hazelnut - have you tried Massimo's? I personally think it is one of the great chocolatey things on earth. I will have to try Viktor Benes' - they're really close...Thanks

[gnarlex]

It's not heavy, or an intensely chocolatey cake. It's just multiple thin layers of spongecake made with groud hazelnuts alternating with, and frosted with, chocolate whipped cream.

[bulavinaka]

That's okay - it still sounds delicious - will have to try it... Thanks!

[hrhboo]

Stop it stop it stop it!! I can see Massimo's from my office window. Guess what's for lunch?

[running pig]

I don't care for guava, but everyone else LOVES anything at Ports made with guava. I like their tres leches cake. You can buy a huge cake (good for office parties) for much less cash than other bakeries.

[Das Ubergeek]

Porto's for carrot cake or fruit tart or guava-filled cake.

[chica]

Red velvet cupcakes at Bluebird

I really like the Almond Rocca at Sweet Lady Jane

[bulavinaka]

Anything with lemon at Sweet Lady Jane's. Her desserts utilizing lemons are untouchable. I know this isn't a cake, but if you really want to impress, get the lemon meringue pie or little tortes. Her lemon curd cake with vanilla frosting is impressive as well. I think the lemon will be a nice counter to the fried chicken.

[esculent]

OK, you sucked me in and i ordered a lemon curd cake (see thread: "I need a cake that just screams...January"

Will report back tomorrow!

[bulavinaka]

Oh geez - the pressures on... don't forget to get a lemon meringue for yourself...

[esculent]

I ordered a 1/4 sheet of the lemon curd cake from Sweet Lady Jane for the january birthdays in our office. I'm not a huge lemon fan (actually i'm a buttercream purist to a fault) but this was remarkably good. nice, light texture with a fresh (not cloying, grainy or disgustingly slimy) lemon curd filling. furthermore, everyone in the office was impressed and enjoyed it.

now on to red velvet cake february...

[Saucey]

Get a slice of opera cake from Porto's. Unbelievably delicious!

[mrpullings]

Porto's is sort of known for their dulce de leche cake. Fantastic!